Valuable win for Ospreys

Treviso 16 Ospreys 36

Ospreys today claimed a second bonus-point Heineken Cup victory in successive weeks to complete an Italian job over Treviso.

The Welsh region moved a point clear of Leicester at the top of Pool Three after a crucial triumph at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Number eight Filo Tiatia grabbed the vital fourth try to add to those of Sonny Parker, Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan Thomas.

Ospreys made one change following their 10-try blitz over the Italians at the Liberty Stadium a week ago.

IRB world player of the year, Shane Williams, was restored to the starting line-up containing 14 internationals in place of hamstring victim Nikki Walker.

Gavin Henson had been named in a 23-man squad but did not travel as he awaited the birth of his second child.

Ospreys were handed the perfect start when Treviso flanker Hottie Louw was sin-binned in the sixth minute for a professional foul on James Hook, whose chip and chase looked set to yield a try.

The visitors took full advantage of the extra man as Parker scored the first try in the 13th minute.

Wales centre Parker finished the move in the right corner following good work by Thomas and Andrew Bishop.

Hook crashed the conversion against the post but the visitors were halfway to their target of a crucial bonus-point when Thomas' sharp pass allowed lock Jones to power over for the second try four minutes later.

Wales flanker Thomas then crashed over for the third try to hand the Ospreys a commanding 19-point lead inside the opening 24 minutes.

The forwards were in full flow with Tiatia and Richard Hibbard prominent before Thomas added his second try in as many weeks.

Andrea Marcato got the hosts on the scoreboard on the half hour with a routine penalty and Treviso were right back in the tie when Brendan Williams scored a 70-metre intercept try.

Marcato converted to make it 19-10 at the interval lead and then added his second penalty to reduce the deficit to six points.

Hook and Marcato exchanged penalties as the Ospreys pushed for the vital fourth try in dismal conditions.

They thought they had secured the extra point when Rhodri Wells pounced over the line, but his effort was ruled out by television match official Geoff Warren.

But it did not matter two minutes later when Tiatia powered over from the back of a driving Ospreys scrum before Parker rounded off the scoring in the final minute.