Ospreys centre James Hook has described Friday night’s Magners League Play-Off win over Glasgow as a ‘real battle’, even if he felt the result was never really in doubt once the game entered the latter stages.
Wales star Hook was on one of the Ospreys’ heroes in a 20-5 win over the Warriors, scoring the second of two tries at the Liberty Stadium.
The British & Irish Lions tourist crossed for a 54th minute score to give the hosts some breathing space after a Fergus Thomson try had threatened to turn things in Glasgow’s favour.
“It was a tough evening, to be honest,” said Hook, who will undergo shoulder surgery next month and has therefore been ruled out of Wales’ summer fixtures.
“They were difficult opponents as they always are. We knew they would be hard to break down, which they were.
“I enjoyed the game. It was a real battle; it was hard and physical but that’s what it’s all about.
“We were able to just edge it in the first half, and I think that allowed us to try and play it a bit in the second half. We kept the points ticking over and in the end, I don’t think the result was in any doubt.”
The Ospreys now turn their attentions to the season’s showpiece event; the Magners League Grand Final a week on Saturday.
Hook and co will take on Irish giants Leinster on the Dubliners’ home turf and the 24-year-old star admits he is delighted to have a chance of ending the season with a trophy after the Ospreys missed out in all three competitions last season.
“We’re all chuffed that we’ll be ending the season with a final and a chance of some silverware,” added Hook, who has played 14 of the Ospreys’ 19 Magners League games this season.
“There’s a good mentality in the group at the moment, we are tight and together.
“We’re in the final now and it’s going to be a massive one-off event. We just have to approach it in the same way and make sure we enjoy the occasion.
“We had a good couple of weeks in Ireland last month, two great wins in Ulster and Munster, and a narrow defeat in Leinster. We need to take confidence from the way we played in those games now, as we realise we can perform against anyone.”
