Ulster suffer narrow Guinness PRO14 loss to Ospreys in stormy Swansea.

OSPREYS 26 ULSTER 24

Struggling Ospreys turned the form book on its head as they deservedly held on to take victory at a stormy Swansea over Ulster in spite of a rousing fightback from the visitors late in the game.

The Welsh region had won one game in 16 outings this season across all competitions and were propping up Conference A in the Guinness PRO14 before this fixture at Liberty Stadium.

And while they still remain bottom, they will take great confidence from the performance where they outplayed Ulster for most of the game.

The Irish Province had been hoping to keep their good run of form going and put a cushion between them and the chasing Cheetahs and Glasgow in the race for the play-offs.

The Cheetahs had been thumped 26-12 earlier in the day in Dublin by runaway conference leaders Leinster, with Ulster six points ahead - thanks to the losing bonus point in Wales - of the South Africans before a crunch meeting at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday week (February 22).

The Ospreys had led 23-10 at one point early in the second half, but Ulster roared back to lead 24-23 before Luke Price kicked a penalty five minutes from the end which proved enough to take the spoils - although Ulster did have one final roll of the dice but a drop goal opportunity was never really on.

The Ospreys drew first blood with a penalty from outhalf Luke Price on four minutes, but Ulster got into their stride soon after and a first sortie yielded a try.

From a ruck, ball went to centre Stuart McCloskey who showed great power and skill to get past three Ospreys defenders before releasing winger Robert Baloucoune to go over in the corner. Outhalf Billy Burns landed a superb touchline conversion, gauging the gale perfectly to guide the ball in for a 7-3 lead after 10 minutes.

But from then it was the beleaguered Ospreys who dominated the rest of the half.

In the 16th minute Owen Watkin went over for a try which Price converted to put them 10-7 ahead and then hooker Scott Otten was awarded a try after TMO review, the only person on the pitch who saw the grounding was Italian referee Marius Mitrea. Price’s conversion failed but he kicked a penalty on 29 minutes to give the Welsh side an 18-7 lead.

It was the turn of the Ospreys defence to impress in the closing part of the first half, keeping Ulster out after several promising attacks.

Burns did kick a penalty to leave eight points between the sides at the break.

The Welsh side continued to dominate from the start of the second half, Ulster’s ill discipline helping them make inroads.

From a lineout, after another penalty concession, Ospreys put on a driving maul and hooker Otten getting the grounding. Price failed with the touchline conversion.

Ulster were starting to show their frustration, referee Mitrea warning captain Allan O’Connor on the rising penalty count and also to stop players shouting at him.

Ulster finally began to find some rhythm, the pack worked the ball forward stoutly and after 16 phases a four man overlap appeared on the right and the Irish side took that route fullback Matt Faddes crossing. Burns added the extras to take Ulster into the final quarter 23-17 behind.

Ulster had a spring in their step and replacement outhalf Bill Johnston put in a thunderous touch finder and when the Ospreys fumbled the lineout, Ulster built and Johnston fired over a crossfield kick which centre McCloskey simply had to catch and fall on.

Johnston landed an amazing touchline conversion to put Ulster 24-23 ahead with 14 minutes to go.

But Ospreys were to retake the lead with a penalty after Dave Shanahan was pinged for scooping a ball away and Price nudged his side 26-24 ahead with five minutes remaining.

Ulster tried to come again, but a turnover a minute from time looked to be their goose cooked.

But Ospreys were unable to get the ball dead as the clock turned red, conceded a penalty and Ulster had one last roll of the dice.

But they opted for a drop at goal, Johnston never had a chance as the defence closed it down and blocked the effort.

Ospreys: Cai Evans, Hanno Dirksen, Owen Watkin, Kieran Williams, Luke Morgan, Luke Price, Aled Davies; Nicky Smith, Scott Otten, Simon Gardiner, Adam Beard, Bradley Davies, Dan Lydiate (CAPT), Olly Cracknell, Gareth Evans.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Gheorghe Gajion, Lloyd Ashley, Sam Cross, Shaun Venter, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, James Hook.

Ulster: Matt Faddes, Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns, David Shanahan; Eric O'Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor (CAPT), Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Tom O'Toole, David O'Connor, Jordi Murphy, Jonny Stewart, Bill Johnston, Craig Gilroy.