Ospreys begin with a win

Ospreys 22 Bourgoin 15

The Ospreys got their Heineken Cup off to a winning start in Pool 2 tonight - but it was not the statement of intent they were looking to register.

Many believed the Ospreys, who had scored 98 points in their previous two games and fielded a starting line-up of 15 internationals, would run away with a bonus-point victory against a Bourgoin side who had lost all six pool games last year.

But in the end it was the French club who were able to register a losing bonus point.

The try that separated the sides was scored by Gavin Henson in the first half, with James Hook kicking 14 points.

Although happy with the win, the Ospreys knew they needed to take all five points from this match – especially after pool rivals Gloucester claimed a bonus point in their away win against Ulster.

It took the Ospreys until only the fourth minute to take the lead with Hook’s opening penalty, after Bourgoin infringed at a ruck.

But if the home side thought it was going to be an easy night, Bourgoin soon showed their credentials with some fine running rugby – which almost sent Matthieu Nicolas in at the right corner.

Openside Mark Rennie went close also, but the Ospreys’ scramble defence held out.

Despite a break from Marty Holah, in his first Ospreys start, it was mostly Bourgoin in the opening quarter.

It took a half break from Hook to earn a second penalty from a ruck – which he kicked to extend the home lead to 6-0 in the 19th minute.

A fine inside pass from Justin Marshall to Lee Byrne set up the Ospreys’ try on 27 minutes, finished off when Shane Williams put Henson over.

Bourgoin got on to the scoreboard with a penalty for replacement centre Sebastien Laloo as a result of Ospreys captain Filo Tiatia being sin-binned for an illegal tackle.

That was cancelled out by Hook’s third penalty in the 38th minute.

But Bourgoin had the final say of the half when Laloo found the target with his second penalty in injury time, as the Ospreys led at the interval 16-6.

With the Ospreys still down to 14 men after the break, Bourgoin took advantage as Benjamin Boyet kicked a 43rd-minute penalty – which was cancelled out three minutes later by Hook’s fourth penalty.

Bourgoin thought they had their first try when wing Jean-Francois Coux went in at the left corner – but on the intervention of the TMO, the score was disallowed.

Hook and Boyet swapped penalties again as the Ospreys led 22-12 after 64 minutes.

But Boyet slotted his third penalty to confirm a bonus point for Bourgoin.