Five-star Sexton sinks Ospreys
Leinster maintained their dominance over The Ospreys as Jonathan Sexton booted them to an 18-11 victory at Liberty Stadium.
Last Updated: 18/09/09 9:52pm
Leinster maintained their dominance over The Ospreys as Jonathan Sexton booted them to an 18-11 victory at Liberty Stadium.
The Irish fly-half kicked five penalties to hand their Welsh hosts a second successive home defeat of the new season and their fifth consecutive loss to the Irish side in the Magners League.
Ospreys may have picked up a bonus point but showed little attacking flair despite the second-half introduction of Lions duo Alun Wyn Jones and Shane Williams.
Leinster went into an early lead when Sexton slotted a fourth minute penalty following Marty Holah's failure to release at the ruck.
Opposite number James Hook levelled shortly afterwards when Leinster were caught offside but it was not long before Sexton put the Irish side back in front with a lead that held until the half hour mark.
Ospreys wasted a chance to cross for the first score when Jamie Nutbrown was unable to find Tommy Bowe in space wide on the right, but a spell of pressure set up Jerry Collins on his debut.
The forwards drove the maul from the five metre line and it was the lock who came up with the ball on his first start in a red jersey.
Sexton twice missed the opportunity to put his side back in front before the break but Leinster poured on the pressure and were rewarded when Collins (violent play) and Duncan Jones (professional foul) were sin-binned in quick succession.
The hosts held on until the interval and the Irish side were unable to take advantage of their two extra men, Hook replying soon after Sexton had put them into a slender lead.
But Leinster finished the stronger and an error from Williams allowed them position from where Isa Nacewa dropped a goal with 13 minutes left on the clock.
Further mistakes allowed Sexton the chance to slot two more penalties in the final six minutes and seal the points.
