Match Report: Ospreys 19-9 Scarlets

Match Report: Ospreys 19-9 Scarlets – Derby Delight for Ospreys

  • Ospreys overcame local rivals Scarlets 19-9 at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday
  • Three Rhys Patchell penalties gave the away side a 9-3 lead at the break in Swansea
  • A penalty try combined with the boot of Dan Biggar saw Ospreys fight back to win
BY STEVEN SMITH
The Ospreys made it six straight wins in all competitions and moved up to second position in the PRO12 standings after they overcame local rivals Scarlets in front of a bumper crowd of 19,514 at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday.

The stakes couldn’t have been higher heading into the clash; the hosts unbeaten run was on the line while Scarlets, on the other side of the equation, held a record of seven consecutive PRO12 victories, their best run ever in a single season.

Scarlets, who made just one change from their famous 22-21 victory against Toulon, displayed the same power and determination with three Rhys Patchell penalties giving them a narrow 9-6 lead after a tight and cagey opening 40.

The away side had certainly earned their half-time advantage after they dug in deep to survive an onslaught from the hosts while their prop Rob Evans was in the sin-bin for a high tackle.

Nevertheless, the visitors were made to pay for their ill-discipline in the second half after a penalty try proved the crucial score before Dan Biggar increased the winning margin from the tee.

MATCHACTION

The hosts eventually opened the scoring when Wales international Biggar slotted a penalty after 14 minutes, but their lead didn’t last long as Patchell responded almost instantly to level the scores, 3-3.

Scarlets lost Evans to the sin-bin for a high tackle with 23 minutes on the clock, but despite Alun Wyn Jones coming close and Biggar having a kick at goal, Ospreys were unable to take advantage of their extra man.

Back up to their full compliment Scarlets went ahead 9-3 after Patchell dissected the posts with a pair of perfect penalties.

Nevertheless, Biggar slotted his second penalty of the contest in overtime to reduce the deficit to just three points heading into the break, 9-6.



A penalty try after 54 minutes put Ospreys back in front with Will Boyde additionally sent to the bin for preventing a clear try-scoring opportunity.

Biggar then knocked over the conversion before kicking a three-pointer on the hour mark to give the hosts a 16-9 lead.

The visitors got their third yellow card when Steff Evans was sin-binned late on for dragging down a maul before Biggar put the final nail in the visitors coffin with yet another successful kick, 19-9.

MANOFTHEMATCH

Ospreys: Alun Wyn Jones

LINE UPS

Ospreys: 15 Sam Davies, 14 Keelan Giles, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Dan Evans, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 James King, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Rory Thornton, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Paul James, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Lloyd Ashley, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Sam Underhill, 22 Tom Habberfield, 23 Kieron Fonotia
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Scott Williams, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 Will Boyde, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ken Owens (c), 1 Rob Evans
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Tom Price, 20 Josh Macleod, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Steff Evans
Date: Tuesday, December 27
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)