Scrum-half Jamie Dobie scored two tries as Glasgow inflicted Ospreys’ first home defeat of the season with a crushing six-try bonus-point win in Bridgend.
The visitors were on top from the start with Dobie’s first effort opening the scoring, but Ospreys had their moments, with opposite number Reuben Morgan-Williams breaking through a gap in the visitors’ line to briefly level the scores.
However, further tries from captain Kyle Steyn and hooker Johnny Matthews helped Glasgow impose at commanding 21-10 advantage by half-time.
Ospreys briefly rallied and reduced the deficit at the beginning of the second half when wing Luke Morgan went over in the corner after some fine skills from Dan Edwards who converted the effort, but that would be the last points on the board.
Glasgow continued to pull away as the half wore on with Dobie afforded far too much space to score his second before flanker Euan Ferrie nipped over in the corner for his side’s fifth.
Replacement number eight Macenzzie Duncan completed the rout for the visitors, while Adam Hastings and Dan Lancaster contributed a total of 12 points with the boot for Franco Smith’s side.
For Jones, there was no excuses for his side’s defeat. Despite the late loss of centre Keiran Williams and wing Keelan Giles on the day of the match, the Ospreys boss would not blame a growing injury count, admitting his side were not good enough on the night.
“We were well and truly dominated there in most fascists of the game, but particularly the collision part,” said Jones in his post-match conference.
“It’s one thing preparing for what’s coming but another thing dealing with it live.
“I felt for the large majority of the game we couldn’t control the speed of the ball on either side, whether that was defensive or attacking perspective.
“As a result, Glasgow were able to play the style of rugby that they want moving the ball to width accurately, shortening us up defensively.
“Other than when we got into the red zone, where we looked pretty powerful as well, in the middle of the field we couldn’t get the speed of ball that we needed.
“Whilst I had a team out there that I was expecting a fair bit more from, in terms of the contest against Glasgow, I didn’t think we were in a worse position than they were [injury-wise].
“The group we had are capable of producing more than that and have against good teams already this season, we have been far more competitive.
“Today, I have to say well done to Glasgow, they stole loads of time off us in the maul and the collision and left a lot of limbs, legs and bodies in positions where I may be expecting the officials to help us a little bit.
“That is what streetwise, smart rugby players do. They read what is going on in the game and utilise it. There are some good lessons for us there to take out of the game moving into next week.
“We know we are capable of better there, but against a top-four team you have to produce it for 80 minutes.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
