Sam Parry was the unlikely hero for Ospreys as the hooker’s hat-trick ensured his side earned their first Guinness PRO14 win of the season against 14-man Benetton Rugby.

Having conceded 91 points in away defeats to Ulster and Leinster in their opening two games, Ospreys were in desperate need of a result in their first home game of the campaign.

And they duly delivered as Parry crashed over the whitewash twice before half-time and once more after the restart, with Scott Williams also dotting down to secure all five points.

Benetton had lead twice through first-half Keatley penalties but a red card for Marco Lazzaroni proved too big a hurdle for the Italians to overcome as they slipped to a third straight defeat.

Key moments

Despite beginning the season with back-to-back defeats, Benetton started strongly at the Liberty Stadium and an early Keatley penalty gave the visitors the lead inside five minutes.

But their momentum was brought to a shuddering halt in the 11th minute when Lazzaroni was sent off for a high tackle on Ospreys fly-half Luke Price after a TMO review.

Allen Clarke’s men took immediate advantage of their extra man, with Parry crashing over from the back of a driving maul for his side’s opening try to edge Ospreys ahead.

Benetton hit back with another three points from the boot of Keatley before the Welsh side restored their lead with their second try, Parry benefiting from a powerful pick-and-drive.

Ospreys soon began to turn the screw and a sustained spell of possession ended in a third try through Williams after the ball was worked wide by substitute Hanno Dirksen.

Price subsequently added the extras to make up for his previous two missed efforts at goal and extend the lead to 17-6, which is how it remained going into the half-time interval.

On the resumption of play, Ospreys continued to pile the pressure on the tiring Italians with their forward dominance and it was not long before they secured their bonus-point score.

It was Parry once again who put the finishing touches to another driving maul from a lineout around 10 metres out, completing his hat-trick in the 43rd minute to cap off a special night.

That proved to be Parry’s last act of the night as he was given a deserved rest, with Scott Otten taking his place in one of several changes made by Clarke after the restart.

Benetton were given a glimmer of hope when Williams was sin-binned, only for Ospreys to remain steadfast in defence and see off wave after wave of attack from the visitors.

But Kieran Crowley’s side refused to give up and after Olly Cracknell also saw yellow, Antonio Rizzi and Leonardo Sarto dotted down to secure a losing bonus-point for Benetton.

Man of the match

Who else but Parry? Ospreys did not get off to the best of starts in Swansea but the hooker made the difference with his powerhouse display after Benetton were reduced to 14 men.

His accuracy at the lineout was consistent throughout, while the 27-year-old also showed huge experience from the back of the driving mauls as he collected a rare hat-trick.

Play of the day

Patience was a virtue for Ospreys in the build-up to their third try as they made the most of their extra player by retaining possession and used their forward strength to gain territory.

After initially looking for a gap down the left, the ball was recycled and went right through the hands of Sam Cross, Price and Dirksen before finding Williams in plenty of space to cross in the corner.

Cardiff City Stadium will play host to the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 as one of the most exciting days in the club rugby calendar comes to Wales!

General sale tickets are available from http://bit.ly/PRO14Cardiff2020 and prices start at just £13 for concessions and £26 for adults (subject to booking fees), that’s a 15% early bird discount. Family ticket (2 adults / 2 children) prices begin at £64 and fans are encouraged to buy early to get the best value tickets.