CONNACHT WERE HEAVILY defeated in the RaboDirect Pro12 for the second game in succession as Ospreys recorded a 26-9 win at Liberty Stadium.

First half tries from Eli Walker and Justin Tipuric, and a Dan Biggar conversion, meant the reigning league champions were 12-6 up at half-time.

However a Jonathan Thomas try just two minutes after the break opened up a chasm on the scoreboard and a late Kahn Fotuali’i score delivered a bonus point for the Welsh side.

Dan Parks, with three penalties, was the only player to register points for the western province.

Walker’s try came about after a concerted period of Ospreys pressure and good play from Ashley Beck and Richard Fussell in the build-up.

Parks responded with two well-struck penalties from the left touchline but another sweeping Ospreys move on 37 minutes led to their second try.

The Connacht defence was weak as Fussell burst through two tackles before finding Tipuric to dive over in the corner.

Intercept

Any hopes of a Connacht comeback were dashed on 42 minutes when Thomas intercepted a Parks pass attempt in the midfield before racing clear to touch down.

Ryan Bevington then crashed over from close range, only for referee George Clancy to call it back, ruling that a pass from Andrew Bishop to the Ospreys prop went forward.

Parks responded with a penalty on 52 minutes to edge his side closer but missed a long-range effort 10 minutes later.

The final try from the Welsh side will not please Connacht coach Eric Elwood as Fotuali’i took a quick tap-penalty after a scrum to dash free and score.

There was little relief for the visitors in the final minutes as Ospreys pressed for a fifth try before the final whistle intervened to spoil their fun.

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