Drama as Williams steals it at the last

By ROGER PANTING

Leicester …………………….. 26pts

Tries: van Poortvliet 15, Simmons 48

Conversions: Pollard 15, 48

Penalties: Pollard 3, 19, 67, 69

Ospreys ……………………….. 27pts

Tries: Lake 10, Giles 58, Morgan 80+8

Conversions: Evans 10, Williams 58, 80+8

Penalties: Williams 26, 40

IF ever a side deserved to progresss to the knock-out stages, it would have to be Ospreys, who performed miracles to reach their goal.

After a disappointing opening defeat to an under-strength Leicester, Ospreys performed heroics to record a double over the reigning French champions, Montpellier, in two titanic encounters before beating Leicester on their home ground.

That only tells half the story as Ospreys were second best for the first hour but, despite losing Dewi Lake and Cai Evans to injury, they staged a remarkable rally which saw them batter the Tigers' line for the whole of the last 15 minutes.

It was scarcely believable how Leicester kept their line intact but with 88 minutes on the clock, Jac Morgan appeared to have touched down. TMO replays were endless before the try was awarded with Owen Williams converting to give his side a remarkable victory.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “When the draw was made there was a very sharp intake of breath as most people would have thought the later rounds in April and May wouldn't concern us.”

It was Ospreys' spirit that kept them in contention with Justin Tipuric their inspiration and Morgan not far behind in the industry column. Michael Collins and Williams were impressive in their back division but it was Leicester who provided most of the thrills. A superb performance from Tommy Reffell secured valuable possession for Jack van Poortvliet, Harry Simmons and Freddie Steward and realistically they should have gathered enough points to ensure that an Ospreys' revival was out of the question.

A Pollard penalty gave Leicester an early lead but when Ospreys had a similar opportunity, they elected for an attacking line-out and were rewarded when Lake crashed over. Tigers responded with a succession of lineout drives and when the defence was sucked in, van Poortvliet saw a gap to race over.

Leicester looked to have scored again when Simmons tore through a hole but TMO replays showed that the wing had been held up by Collins.

However, Leicester were able to extend their lead with a penalty from Pollard before Ev- ans limped off. In his absence, Williams took over goal-kicking but missed before succeeding with a kick from similar range.

Ospreys suffered another blow when Lake was helped off with a knee injury before a second penalty from Williams made it 13-13 at the interval.

Leicester began the second half strongly with an excellent break from Pollard winning a platform in the opposition 22. From there a pre-planned move saw Simmons score.

The hosts looked set for victory but they gifted Ospreys a way back. Deep in the visitors' 22, Tigers threw a wild pass which Joe Hawkins hacked on before Keelan Giles collected to stroll 65 metres.

Two penalties in quick succession from Pollard saw Leicester regain their advantage before Ospreys roared back into contention. Kieran Williams looked to have crossed but the try ruled out so a yellow card for Tigers' prop, Dan Richardson, for collapsing proved decisive as Ospreys capitalised with Morgan's match-winner.

Leicester boss Richard Wigglesworth said: “We are desperately disappointed as the defeat was by our own making as we opened the door for them and they are a good side in great form.

“We are through to the knock-out stages and we would have taken that outcome before the competition started.”

All action: Jac Morgan breaks for Ospreys

PICTURES: Getty Images

No way through: Scott Baldwin is tackled by Dan Cole and Olly Cracknell