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Saracens book place in Heineken Cup semis with Ospreys win

06/04/2008

Saracens stunned favourites Ospreys 19-10 to reach the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup at Vicarage Road.

The London side led 6-3 at the break with two penalties from Glen Jackson cancelling out James Hook's earlier effort.

Saracens punished the Welsh side's errors with a try from Francisco Leonelli on 42 minutes.

The Magners League side fought back with Paul James crashing over but a last-gasp drop goal from Jackson clinched victory for the home side.

Saracens will clash with Munster in the last four at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Fly-half Hook gave the visitors the lead on three minutes but Jackson levelled seven minutes later and added another penalty when Marty Holah was penalised for hands in the ruck.

The Ospreys thought they had scored the game's first try but Alun Wyn Jones was adjudged to have tackled Neil de Kock without the ball before he touched down.

Saracens did break the deadlock two minutes into the second half when de Kock's deep clearance was touched in flight by Holah, allowing Saracens to collect the loose ball with substitute Leonelli touching down in the corner.

Ospreys' hopes of victory looked bleak when Lee Byrne was sin-binned on 58 minutes for a deliberate knock-on.

Ten minutes from time, the Welsh side gave themselves some hope when James crossed the line from close range.

But with two minutes remaining, Jackson capped off a fine display with a drop goal to seal victory for Alan Gaffney's side.