United Rugby Championship
Cardiff (10) 24
Tries: Thornton, Belcher, D Thomas Cons: Sheedy (3) Pens: Sheedy
Ospreys (7) 21
Tries: K Williams, Walsh, Edwards Cons: Edwards (3)
Both sides went into the match in contention for a top-eight finish, Cardiff starting the day in seventh, whilst 10th-placed Ospreys, 11pts behind Bulls in the last remaining play-off position, knew they had to win their last three matches to stand any hope of a late challenge.
But it would be Corniel van Zyl’s side who would come out on top to earn both bragging rights and vital points for their own URC challenge.
Six tries were shared on the night in an enthralling contest, with lock Rory Thornton’s score from the hosts wiped out by Ospreys centre Kieran Williams effort after a quick break from fly-half Dan Edwards, to leave Cardiff with a slender three-point lead at the break.
But the game would be marred with several critical moments of ill-discipline, which would cost the visitors dear. Ospreys wing Daniel Kasende’s 20-minute first-half red card for dangerous play, and later sin-bin offences for both Owen Watkin and Edwards, left the hosts with 14-men for more than half the contest.
Despite defending admirably, the number’s game would tell with Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher powering over from close range for the home side early in the second period, before flanker Dan Thomas dived over for the Blue’s third converted score in the 56th minute to increase their advantage to 24-7
The hosts would not be without their own issues, and after a yellow was shown lock Josh McNally, Ospreys would respond again with replacement prop Cam Jones, bursting clear to send full-back Jack Walsh over.
Edwards added the extras to pull it back to 24-14, and with three minutes left, the Ospreys’ number ten converted his own try to make it 24-21 to set up a grandstand finish, but Cardiff held on for their first since 2007 at the Arms Park.
Ospreys XV:
15 Jack Walsh, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Kieran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuban Morgan-Williams
1 Steff Thomas, 2 Sam Parry, 3 Tom Botha, 4 Rhys Davies, 5 Ryan Smith, 6 James Ratti, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 8 Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
16.Evan Daniel, 17. Cam Jones, 18. Ben Warren, 19. Hugh Sutton , 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Harri Deaves, 22. Kieran Hardy, 23. Max Nagy.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
