The Ospreys' Ryan Jones and Exiles' Bob Casey vie for the ball at the Madejski Stadium © Getty Images

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Matches: London Irish 23 - 19 Ospreys

Players/Officials: James Hook

Teams: England | London Irish | Ospreys | Wales

Ospreys assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys acclaimed an ice-cool performance by goal-kicker James Hook after the Welsh region reached this season's EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-finals.

The Ospreys fly-half produced an immaculate display, booting 14 points in a 23-19 defeat at London Irish. But a losing bonus point was sufficient for the Ospreys to book a third successive Anglo-Welsh semi-final place, and an appointment with Gloucester in Coventry on March 28.

"James has been a bit disappointed with his kicking recently," said Humphreys. "But he really stepped up when we needed him today. He was in the groove."

Hook held his nerve when Ospreys trailed 20-6 early in the second period, culminating a nerveless performance by landing a 52-metre penalty. And with wing Nikki Walker claiming a 54th-minute touchdown, Irish were denied a last-four spot despite first-half tries from centre Seilala Mapusua and wing Sailosi Tagicakibau.

Humphreys added: "Every game this season we have come away with something, and that is a tribute to the players - they keep on going. We would like to be playing a little more clinically, but it is great we are through to the semi-finals. This competition is high among our priorities. We are the holders, and we want to defend the trophy."

Ospreys fielded six of Wales' autumn Test squad in their starting line-up, with five more on the bench. And Wales coach Warren Gatland suffered an injury scare when Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett limped off nursing an ankle problem midway through the second period. Bennett is favourite to wear the Wales number two shirt against world champions South Africa in Cardiff next Saturday.

Humphreys said: "We are unsure about his injury at this stage. He is being looked at by the medical staff, and he will report to the Wales camp tomorrow."

Despite bowing out of the tournament, Irish earned plaudits from their head coach Toby Booth. "I am pleased we have shown we can compete at the top table," he said. "We treated this game like a cup final, but we are not going through because of what happened in a previous round (Irish lost to Worcester)."

Booth also had praise for fly-half Shane Geraghty, who delivered another encouraging performance on the long road back from major injury trouble. The England international was closely marked by a tigerish Ospreys back-row before making way for veteran World Cup-winner Mike Catt 20 minutes from time.

Booth added: "On the whole, I thought Shane was pretty good. You need three or four games under your belt, and he is coming through and getting back to his best. He has had an horrific time with injury, and we've got to look after him."