The Ospreys recorded a 27-21 victory over rivals Cardiff in heavy rain to start their year with a bang in front of a sell out crowd in Bridgend. Tries from Keelan Giles, Morgan Morse, and a Penalty try helped the hosts fight back from a 13 point half time deficit.
By Etienne Turpin
Heavy rain saw both sides battle it out territorially and the Ospreys were gifted an early scrum which resulted in a penalty for the home side. From just over 40m on the angle, Owen Williams had the opportunity to open the scoring, but his effort drifted just wide of the posts. However, the Ospreys early domination paid off when quick hands from Hopkins and North put Keelan Giles in to score the first try of the match. From a difficult angle, Owen Williams’ effort once again was just wide of the posts.
The Ospreys failed to control the ball from kick off, but Harri Deaves was able to win a penalty for the home side. The two teams entered a kicking battle looking to gain territory in the heavy rain.
Cardiff hit back after 15 minutes when Owen Lane crossed over. A quick tap from Owen Williams put the visitors in dangerous territory and the ball was eventually shifted wide allowing Lane to dot the ball down.. Unfortunately, Harri Deaves was forced off injured attempting to tackle Lane and was replaced by Tristan Davies.
It would get better for Cardiff moments later as Mason Grady collected the ball from a kick and raced clear under the post giving Tinus De Beer an easy conversion to give Cardiff a 12-5 lead. The Welsh international in great form, 1 month out from the 6 Nations.
Midway through the first half saw an improvement in weather as the rain eased off allowing Cardiff to play quicker ball and forced a penalty in front of the posts which gave Cardiff an easy shot at goal and extend their lead to 10 points. Minutes later, they extended their advantage thanks to another penalty from Tinus de Beer as Cardiff went 13 points ahead at 18-5.
The hosts had an opportunity before half time to narrow the score when they were given a penalty around half way. Owen Williams found touch 5 metres out from the Cardiff line thanks to a lovely kick, but they could not find a way through and Cardiff won a penalty.
Penalties in quick succession allowed the visitors to move up field and with the clock in the red, they opted to kick to touch and carry on playing. However, they were unable to take advantage and the half ended with Cardiff leading 18-5. The Ospreys started with a bang with their early try but were unable to add to their tally.
The conditions showed no sign of improvement as the second half got under way but the Ospreys came out the blocks looking dangerous and after a number of strong maul drives, they were awarded a penalty try which saw James Botham sin binned just 10 minutes into the second half. However, with 14 men, Cardiff were next to score and a simple shot at goal allowed de Beer to extend their lead to 21-12.
The Ospreys backed their maul and continuously kicked to the corner when the 3 points were on offer. They were initially held up but Morgan Morse who was awarded man of the match scored a brilliant solo try to bring the Ospreys right back in the game. Collecting the ball near half way and beating multiple defender on his way. Slippery conditions allowed Morse to slide over the line. The 18-year stepping up with the injury to Morgan Morris. It got even better for the hosts when the Cardiff kick off failed to go 10m and Ospreys won a scrum penalty where substitute Dan Edwards nailed the kick to give the Ospreys the lead.
Cardiff did not look like scoring in the second half and it got worse for them as Josh Turnbull was sin binned for multiple offences and saw Cardiff go down to 14 for the second time in the second half. The home crowd were getting louder as the game went on, a sell out crowd which was brilliant to see. And the Ospreys sealed the win with 5 minutes left following a scrum. Dan Edwards kicked behind the Cardiff defence which allowed Giles to score his second score of the game as the Ospreys got their 4th try resulting in a bonus point. From a difficult angle, Edwards failed to convert but the Ospreys held on to win back-to-back Welsh derbies and start 2024 with a bang.
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Ospreys: 27
TRIES: 4 (Giles 8’, 76’, Penalty Try 49’, Morse 57’)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Edwards 57’)
PENALTIES: 1 (Edwards 63’)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0
15. Jack Walsh, 14. Iestyn Hopkins, 13. George North, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Owen Williams, 9. Luke Davies, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Sam Parry, 3. Tom Botha, 4. James Fender, 5. Adam Beard, 6. James Ratti, 7. Harri Deaves, 8. Morgan Morse.
16. Dewi Lake, 17. Garyn Phillips, 18. Rhys Henry, 19. Lewis Jones, 20. Tristan Davies, 21. Cameron Jones, 22. Dan Edwards, 23. Luke Morgan
Cardiff: 21
TRIES: 2 (Lane 16’, Grady 20’)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (De Beer 20)
PENALTIES: 3 (De Beer 27’,34’, 53’)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 2 (Botham 49’, Turnbull 66’)
RED CARDS: 0
15. Cam Winnett, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Rey Lee-Lo, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Mason Grady, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Corey Domachowski, 2. Liam Belcher, Kieron Assiratti, 4. Teddy Williams, 5. Seb Davies, 6. James Botham, 7. Ellis Jenkins, 8. Lopeti Timani.
16. Efan Daniel, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Rhys Litterick, 19. Rory Thornton, 20. Josh Turnbull, 21. Mackenzie Martin, 22. Ellis Bevan, 23. Jacob Beetham.
Five Talking Points
- Ospreys move up into play off spot.
Back to back derby victories sees the Ospreys jump into the top 8 in the table after 9 games. The Ospreys last made the play off’s back in the 2016/17 season and will be looking to stay in the play off spot.
- 18 year old Morgan Morse getting better every game.
With key back-row players Jac Morgan and Morgan Morris out, Morgan Morse stepped up to deliver a motm performance and scored one of the solo tries of the season beating a couple of defenders.
- Weather doesn’t stop wingers from scoring.
Despite the terrible conditions in Bridgend today, four of the games tries came from the wingers. Keelan Giles crossed over early thanks to quick hands in midfield and scored again later on as he collected a kick from Dan Edwards. Owen Lane crossed over after Cardiff applied pressure and Mason Grady showed his strength in the air as he raced away to give Cardiff an early lead.
- Sellout crowd in Bridgend.
With Swansea City playing at the Swansea.com stadium, the Ospreys were forced to relocate their clash with Cardiff to Bridgend but saw 8,000 fans turn up to sell out the Dunraven Brewery Field.
- The Ospreys head into the Challenge Cup in fine form.
The Ospreys turn their attention to European Cup action in 10 days’ time as they host Perpignan before travelling south to South Africa where they will face the Lions from Johannesburg. Cardiff on the other hand host Marcus Smith’s Harlequins before travelling to Nanterre to face Top 14 leaders Racing 92 who are winless in Europe so far this season.