Pro12: Ospreys 26-11 Connacht

Jeff Hassler scores the Ospreys first try against Connacht — Canadian Jeff Hassler (R) has now scored four tries in the Pro12 for the Ospreys this season

Ospreys (3) 26
Tries: Hassler, Roberts; Cons: S Davies 2; Pens: S Davies 4
Connacht (3) 6
Tries: McKeon; Pens: Ronaldson 2

Ospreys maintained their 100% record and remain top of the Pro12 table with victory over Connacht at the Liberty Stadium.

Connacht led 6-3 early in the second half before Ospreys wing Jeff Hassler scored the first try.

The home side then took control, opening up a 26-6 lead through scrum-half Martin Roberts's try and Sam Davies's boot.

Eoin McKeon crashed over for a late Connacht consolation.

Ospreys, who have now won all seven Pro12 matches this season, are three points clear of second-placed Glasgow and 12 ahead of Connacht, who have slipped to sixth.

Ospreys' Jeff Hassler is tackled by Connacht's Jason Harris-Wright — Ospreys' wing Jeff Hassler has played in all seven of the Welsh region's Pro12 wins this season

Both sides struggled to create any try-scoring opportunities during a first half full of poor kicks and handling errors - both sides lost possession six times.

Davies steered the Welsh side in front with a penalty after only four minutes, but Craig Ronaldson drew Connacht level before scoring another penalty shortly after the break.

Ospreys responded through full-back Dan Evans, who cut through the Connacht defence in the middle of the park before Hassler raced away to score in the corner.

Davies added the conversion and two penalties before replacement centre Ashley Beck offloaded for Roberts to touch down from close range on 61 minutes.

Five more points from the boot of Davies saw the Welsh region open up a 20-point lead.

Connacht enjoyed their best spell of the match in the final 10 minutes, and McKeon drove over with three minutes remaining following a line-out.

Ospreys coach Steve Tandy said: "It's been a real tough week for us obviously off the back of the Northampton defeat, a huge injury list and the boys going off for international duty. I thought the guys showed amazing character beating a real good Connacht team. They don't get affected that much by international duty so I'm just really pleased and really proud of the Ospreys team tonight."

Ospreys: Dan Evans, Jeff Hassler, Andrew Bishop, Josh Matavesi, Tom Grabham, Sam Davies, Martin Roberts, Duncan Jones, Sam Parry, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Peers (capt), Rynier Bernardo, Sam Lewis, Justin Tipuric, Ieuan Jones.

Replacements: Otten for Parry (73), M Thomas for D Jones (54), Arhip for Jarvis (47), Collier for I Jones (65), Beck for Matavesi (59), Natoga for Hassler (80). Not Used: Thornton, Habberfield.

Connacht: Shane Layden, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux, John Muldoon (capt), Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Heffernan for Harris-Wright (67), Dever for Buckley (78), Cooney for Ah You (64), Browne for Roux (57), Porter for Marmion (72), McSharry for Aki (67), Leader for Adeolokun (14). Not used: Willie Faloon.

Att: 6,010.