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Ospreys swoop to claim Anglo-Welsh Cup glory at Twickenham

12/04/2008

Ospreys have won the Anglo-Welsh cup with a 23-6 win over Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.

The Welsh side bounced back from the disappointment of being knocked out of the Heineken Cup by Saracens last week to dominate the game against the Tigers.

Fly-half James Hook was the central figure for Ospreys in attack, kicking 13 points and creating both of their tries. In response all Leicester could muster was a penalty and a drop-goal from Andy Goode.

The Ospreys defence was in formidable form as they restricted a dangerous Leicester team to few chances and won the vital battle at the set-plays in tricky conditions.

Leicester had the best of the opening minutes, spending time in the Ospreys' half, but they wasted a series of chances as Goode missed two penalties and Dan Hipkiss dropped the ball when a try seemed certain.

Ospreys made them pay. Hook found some space and released Andy Bishop with an inside pass and the centre beat George Chuter to cross the whitewash.

In the second half Ospreys doubled their lead thanks to Alun Wyn Jones. Grand Slam-winning full-back Lee Bryne burst through the Tigers defence but was eventually brought down.

Ospreys recycled the ball quickly to release Hook, who once again delivered the killer pass for the second row to cross over in the corner.

Leicester were looking increasingly clueless and Ospreys continued to take advantage of sloppy penalties given away by the holders.

Hook added two further kicks and the Welsh side's defence held firm as they went on to lift the trophy in front of their jubilant travelling fans.