Jonathan Sexton pulled the strings for Leinster as the Irish province made it seven wins on the spin in the GUINNESS PRO12 after overcoming another tricky trial at Ospreys by 22-9.

Leinster were winless in their last four visits to Wales and a resurgent Ospreys had strung together five league victories in a row, but the visitors headed into half-time with the advantage thanks to Dave Kearney’s converted try and a Sexton penalty.

Dan Biggar had missed several opportunities from the tee but his third penalty of the night in the 55th minute reduced the arrears to one before Leinster pulled away.

Noel Reid crossed before Kearney grabbed his second to seal the deal for Leinster, who had also benefited from Sexton’s sublime kicking game – particularly with ball in hand.

Leinster set out of the traps the fastest but without the points to show for it, their closest chance snuffed out by Brendon Leonard after he dotting down a chip that crossed his side’s try-line.

But Ospreys awoke from their slumber five minutes in, Jeff Hassler forcing the issue with a break up to the 22, and a series of line-out drives had the hosts knocking on the door.

A knock-on thwarted the best try-scoring opportunity but Biggar ensured Ospreys would get something from their visit by sinking a trademark drop-goal.

But there was to be some response from the visitors –Kearney did not have to break stride before gathering in Sexton’s sumptuous crossfield kick, and the wing powered over the line despite the best attentions of Hassler.

It had all come from a rapid line-out move, and Sexton improved the try to extend Leinster’s lead out to four points.

Biggar and Sexton traded penalties midway through the half as the game settled down a touch and neither side could gain a foothold.

But, just before half-time Wales fly-half Biggar, missed a chance to chop the deficit down to one point after he pulled a penalty a shade to the left.

Dominic Ryan, who had replaced Jamie Heaslip in the first half, combined with Rhys Ruddock to great effect at the start of the second period to force a key turnover.

The visitors still struggled to get out of their half and after losing the battle in the scrum, Biggar went for goal again – only to see another penalty miss by inches.

He redeemed himself in the 53rd minute as Leinster continued to live dangerously, and in further good news for Ospreys, Alun Wyn Jones entered the fray in replacement of Rory Thornton.

But it was to be Leinster who got the all-important next breakthrough with Ben T’eo on the gallop in midfield, and he fed replacement Reid in to complete another easy-on-the-eye try.

Crucially for Ospreys, Sexton’s tricky conversion smacked off the post – meaning it was all to play for in the last ten minutes.

However, Sexton’s famed touchfinders meant momentum for Steve Tandy’s men was hard to come by.

It was left for another one of Leinster’s difference-makers, Eoin Reddan, to play a wonderfully disguised inside ball to Kearney and he finished off another powerful move – which was confirmed after a quick check to the TMO.

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