HEINEKEN CUP: Pool 2 Leeds (20) 29 Tries: Persico, Snyman Cons: Ross (2) Pens: Ross (5) Ospreys (7) 20 Tries: S Williams, Gibbs Cons: Connor (2) Pens: Connor Drop goal: Connor

Leeds Tykes made a successful Heineken Cup debut with an opening victory over the Ospreys.

But they had to endure an Ospreys comeback in the second half that saw the Welshmen creep back to within three points.

Gordon Ross, who kicked 19 points, put over three second-half penalties to ensure victory.

The Ospreys went into the game having been disrupted by injuries to key players.

Gavin Henson broke a hand against Leinster last Saturday and loosehead prop Paul James pulled out in the run up to the game with a serious neck injury that will sideline him for up to four months.

It meant the Welsh side were forced to play tighthead prop Andrew Millward on the loosehead.

The Ospreys had to endure a torrid opening with the home side enjoying almost exclusive use of the ball.

We looked very direct and put some good rugby together Leeds coach Phil Davies

And the pressure took its toll with Aaron Persico taking advantage of an overlap on the left to score the first try on nine minutes, converted by Ross.

The visitors responded almost immediately with a break by outside-half Shaun Connor, who sent Shane Williams on a 20-metre run to the line.

Connor's conversion put the Ospreys on level terms at 7-7 after 11 minutes.

But for much of the rest of the half it was all Leeds as the Ospreys had problems securing line-out ball, gave away penalties and missed tackles.

Ross kicked penalties on 22 and 28 minutes and opened up a 20-7 lead when South Africa centre Andre Snyman went over for the second converted try on the half-hour.

But Leeds' interval advantage could have been more than 13 points as Ross was off target with a dropped goal and two late penalty attempts.

After a series of mistakes, Ospreys centre Dave Tiueti was withdrawn from the action and replaced by club captain Scott Gibbs.

The change proved an inspired one as Gibbs scored with his first touch.

I'm bitterly disappointed with the performance and it's back to the drawing board. Ospreys coach Lyn Jones

And when Connor popped over a drop goal 18 minutes into the second half, the Ospreys found themselves just three points adrift at 20-17.

But Connor then failed with a penalty shot that would have levelled the scores.

At the other end, Ross opened Leeds' second half scoring three minutes later with a penalty which went over off the left upright.

And he extended his side's lead to 26-17 three minutes after that, a score cancelled out by a Connor penalty.

But a fifth Ross penalty in injury time sealed the victory and also denied the Ospreys a losing bonus point.

Leeds Tykes: Diego Albanese; Phil Christophers, Andre Snyman, Tristan Davies, David Rees; Gordon Ross, Clive Stuart Smith, Mike Shelley (capt), Mark Regan, Gary Powell, Phil Murphy, Stuart Hooper, Aaron Persico, James Ponton, Alix Popham.
Replacements: Michael Cusack, Matt Holt, Matt Salter, Colm Rigney, Ryan Walker, Tim Walsh, Dan Scarbrough.

Ospreys: Adrian Durston; Stefan Terblanche, James Storey, Dave Tiueti, Shane Williams; Shaun Connor, Andy Williams; Andrew Millward, Barry Williams, Adam Jones, Andy Newman, Gareth Llewellyn (capt), Jon Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Nathan Bonner-Evans.
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Luke Tait, Steve Tandy, Matthew Jones, Scott Gibbs, Elvis Seveali'l, Paul Jones.

Referee: G M Davies (Wales).