Two second-half penalty tries saw the Ospreys overturn a five-point half-time deficit to claim a 26-12 win over the Kings at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night.
Heading into this encounter, the Kings had suffered 14 consecutive defeats and conceded a whopping 577 points in the Pro14, but they produced a gallant performance in Wales to come close to a much-needed victory.
Yet, in the end, discipline cost the Kings as a couple of yellow cards and two penalty tries enabled the Ospreys to claim a victory that looked unlikely for much of the encounter.
The Kings led 12-7 at half-time after tries to Michael Makase and Michael Willemse, and at that stage it certainly appeared that they were well set for their maiden victory in the Pro14.
However, momentum gradually swung the Ospreys’ way in the second half, and eventually the pressure told as the Kings’ scrum gave way for the Ospreys to claim a crucial penalty try in the 65th minute.
With the Kings having seen Johan Smith shown a yellow card, things went from bad to worse as Eital Bredenkamp also joined him in the sin bin, with the Ospreys dominating the final proceedings of the encounter.
A second penalty try effectively sealed the result, while Jeff Hassler also dotted down for the Ospreys as the final scoreline certainly flattered the hosts.
The defeat leaves the Kings rooted to bottom of Conference B, while the Ospreys celebrated just a fifth win of their campaign.
Ospreys – Tries: Tom Habberfield, penalty try (2), Jeff Hassler. Conversion: Sam Davies.
Kings – Tries: Michael Makase, Michael Willemse. Conversion: Martin du Toit.
Ospreys – 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Dewi Cross, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Tom Habberfield, 8 Rob McCusker (c), 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 James King, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Rhodri Jones.
Subs: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Guy Mercer, 20 Will Jones, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Luke Price, 23 Hanno Dirksen.
Kings – 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Rowan Gouws, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Martinus Burger, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Michael Willemse (c), 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Barend Janse van Rensburg, 23 Harlon Klaasen.
Photo: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency/Gallo Images
