Flanker Harri Deaves, centre Phil Cokanasiga both scored well worked flowing tries as the visitors threatened to end their four-year wait for a win in Newport. Whilst, wing Iestyn Hopkins had put Ospreys in the ascendancy despite scrum-half Rhodri Williams crossing for the hosts.
But after the break Dragons staged a rousing comeback to level through young hooker Brodie Coughlan and his replacement Oli Burrows – both utalising the hosts driving maul to power over.
Dragons, who had not claimed a first league win since beating Ospreys in September 2024 had a late chance to seal a surprise comeback. Fly-half Tinus de Beer, however, missed a late kick after Ospreys wing Dan Kasande was sent to the bin, blowing the chance to secure victory as the match ended all square.
A frustrated Jones post-match felt his side failed to show the same accuracy and manage the final third of the game to the same level, and that is what ultimately cost them.
“I don’t think it was a game of two halves, for 55 minutes we had control,” said Jones after the game.
“There was a couple of big game moments where had a decision gone another way there could have been a yellow card and we could have had another try.
“We then had a ten-minute period where we give five penalties away and the possession and territory shift was huge.
“For the last 20 minutes, we were struggling to get field position and put Dragons under any sustained pressure.
“There was lots of good in the game, but ultimately, we look at the result and that often dictates the narrative.
“I think the players were focused. We just didn’t manage the game in the most critical part, the last 20/25 minutes.
“We were always expecting a momentum shift at some point in the game, but we felt the field position would be the trump card. For 15 minutes in the second-half we had it, then the last block we didn’t.
“To be fair to the Dragons, we give them field position, but they have very good players that can break the game up.
“They struck with the penalties and put it into the corner, then had two maul tries which cost us. It was done the old-fashioned way.
“The boys are disappointed with how they dealt with those mauls; their standard is a lot higher than that. For me, I’m looking more at why we were there and what we could do better next time in another derby.
“We have Edinburgh next; in a tight game how do we keep out emotional control and keep our discipline on the right side of the referee. There are some bits there then to look at there while we prepare for the next block.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
