CELTIC LEAGUE Ospreys (20) 34 Tries: Spice, Bishop, Durston, Bateman Cons: Henson (4) Pens: Henson (2) Munster (0) 17 Tries: Cullen (2) Cons: Burke (2) Pen: Burke Att: 4,052

The home side's dominant scrum and line-out helped set up a 20-0 first-half lead with tries from Ospreys new boys Jason Spice and David Bishop.

A Christian Cullen brace twice brought Munster back to within 10 points.

But late scores from Adrian Durston and Lyndon Bateman kept the Ospreys out of reach and secured a bonus point.

A scrappy opening meant it took 25 minutes to bring up the first score, Gavin Henson kicking a 40m penalty after the full- back's fine attacking run was cut short by a dangerous trip from Jerry Flannery.

We were very fortunate to get a bonus point in the end Ospreys man-of-the-match Jonathan Thomas

The home side took control of territory and possession with Jonathan Thomas to the fore at the line-out, but it was 34 minutes before the first try arrived.

Elvis Seveali'i broke in midfield through a weak tackle by newly arrived replacement Jason Holland.

The Samoan was brought down by Cullen, but Cullen's fellow-Kiwi Spice quickly picked up, threw a dummy past the disorganised defence and was in under the posts.

Three minutes later, the Irish tried a risky attack from deep inside their own half, only to see former-Osprey James Storey throw a wild pass.

Stefan Terblanche picked it off and fed Bishop for a second score under the sticks.

Bateman's late try secured a bonus point for the Ospreys

Munster's miserable end to the first period was complete when Flannery was sin-binned for punching at a ruck, Henson stepping up to land the resulting penalty from well within his own half.

The visitors opened the second half with a Paul Burke penalty and began to look more of a threat to the Ospreys' line.

Seveali'i and Williams went off with a suspected torn calf muscle and badly cut finger (respectively), and as the fluency went from the home team's game Munster came back into it.

Henson flapped at a loose ball over the top, giving Cullen the chance to catch him cold, kick through, and cross for a converted try under the posts.

With 79 minutes gone, the Ospreys managed to run quick ball across field, Andy Williams going for the corner before turning inside to feed fellow-replacement Durston for the sealing score.

Munster fired straight back downfield with a kick over the top that bounced well to help Cullen to his second score.

The Irish can't expect people to pay good money to turn up when all the stars are kept away From Fids the blindside Join the Scrum V debate

Then, with the final move of the match, Andy Williams broke the midfield defence with a set move, Bateman picking up from the breakdown to crash over from short range for the bonus-point try.

"We were very fortunate to get a bonus point in the end," said Ospreys man-of-the-match Jonathan Thomas.

"We didn't play well in the second half and lost a lot of ball at crucial times.

"Having said that, the boys put their hands up and taking maximum points is a good start to the season."

Ospreys: G Henson; S Terblanche, D Bishop, E Seveali'i, S Williams; M Jones, J Spice; P James, B Williams (capt), A Millward, A Newman, L Bateman, J Thomas, R Pugh, R Jones.

Replacements: A Durston, S Parker, A Williams, D Jones, R Hibbard, B Cockbain, N Bonner-Evans.

Munster: C Cullen; S Payne, M Mullins, J Storey, A Horgan; P Burke, M Prendergast; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham, S O'Connor, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, J Williams.

Replacements: J Kelly, J Holland, E Reddan, M Storey, J Blaney, J O'Connor, D Ryan.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)