Ospreys scored seven tries in an emphatic victory over Southern Kings to maintain their Pro14 and Heineken Champions Cup hopes and put pressure on rivals Cardiff Blues and Connacht.

Dan Evans scored a hat-trick of tries, Bradley Davies crossed twice and there was a try apiece for Cory Allen and Hanno Dirksen.

Allen Clarke's side dominated a first half in which they secured a potentially vital bonus point.

They move up to fourth in Conference A.

Ospreys had remained in South Africa after picking up a bonus point in a 31-14 win over Cheetahs last weekend.

They made a slow start at the Madibaz Stadium but a break in midfield led to full-back Evans crossing under the posts for game's opening try.

Luke Price converted the try and four minutes later Evans scored his second of the game following good work from the pack.

Price again added the extras and with the visitors in full control they extended their lead through Allen's fine try, created by Keelan Giles.

The hosts' defensive frailties were being exposed and Ospreys secured the bonus point when Dirksen scored the fourth try on 25 minutes, which Price converted.

The visitors' domination continued as lock Davies powered over the line for his first try and Price's successful conversion saw them go in at the break with a comfortable 33-0 lead.

Kings did cross for a try early in the second half but Stefan Ungerer's effort was not allowed to stand after the TMO ruled there had been a forward pass.

The home side's woes continued when lock Stephan Greef was yellow carded for taking the man out in the air.

Ospreys made the most of the numerical advantage with Evans completing his hat-trick, although replacement Sam Davies failed to convert.

The hosts did finally get on the scoresheet in the second half through Michael Willemse's try, which was converted by Masixole Banda.

But Ospreys had the final word and Davies crossed in the corner for his second try of the game and his side's seventh to keep their season alive.

Southern Kings: Beyers; H Klaasen, Sithole, B Klaasen, Basson; B Pretorius, Ungerer; Tshakweni, Willemse, Terblanche, Greeff, Astle (capt), Ntsila, Van Schalkwyk, Lerm.

Replacements: A Van Rooyen, Ferreira, Scholtz, Oelofse, De Wit, R Van Rooyen, Banda, Rokoua.

Ospreys: D Evans; Dirksen, Allen, Watkin, Giles; Price, A Davies; N Smith, Baldwin, Fia, Beard, B Davies, Cracknell, Tipuric (capt), King.

Replacements: Parry, G Thomas, Botha, Lydiate, Cross, Aubrey, Davies, L Morgan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (IRFU), Ruhan Meiring (SARU)

TMO: Sean Veldsman (SARU)

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