Ospreys (7) 21
Tries: Foley, Ratti, Kasende Cons: Walsh 3
Ulster (10) 10
Tries: Ward, Stewart
The Welsh region, looking to make it five matches undefeated, got off to a dream start with on-loan scrum half Cormac Foley finding a gap to go over after strong carrying from Ross Moriarty.
Ulster hit back soon after thanks to the vision of Nathan Doak, who had been released from Ireland’s Six Nations camp. His cross-field kick landing into the grateful hands of wing Zac Ward, who had been hugging the touchline looking for space.
A second try followed after centre Jude Postlethwaite won a turnover not long after the re-start. The resulting kick providing Ulster with the attacking platform from which to launch a devastating driving maul, with hooker Tom Stewart touching down from the base.
Doak, though, would fail to land the extras, leaving Ulster with a slender three points lead to take into the break.
Ospreys would make changes at the break, looking for a spark with Wales duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Harri Deaves introduced, along with experienced prop Tom Botha.
The trio helped get Mark Jones’ side back on the front foot, but a combination of poor execution and decision-making would let the Irish province off the hook as chances would be squandered.
The breakthrough eventually came 10 minutes from time after a long spell of possession and territory. Replacement hooker Lewis Lloyd’s instinctive quick-tap penalty led to Ratti crashing over to put the home side back in front. Jack Walsh adding the extras to extend the lead to four points.
In an action-packed finale full of incident, Ulster thought they had gone back in front with six minutes left with Australian prop Angus Bell diving over through a sea of bodies to scramble over the line. However, after a lengthy TMO review the try would be dissalowed.
Play would be brought back, and a yellow card would be shown to back-row Marcus Rea, who was deemed to have made a dangerous clearout on Owen Watkin’s in the build-up to the score.
Ospreys made their player advantage count and would seal victory with Kasende quick to react to snatch a dramatic try by punishing full back Mike Lowry, who had failed to gather a bouncing ball as he retreated backwards.
The result sees Ospreys remain ninth in the URC table, level on points with the South African outfit Vodacom Bulls, who occupy the final play-off place, while Ulster drop to sixth.
Ospreys starting XV:
15. Iestyn Hopkins, 14. Dan Kasande, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Kieran Williams, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Jack Walsh (co-captain), 9. Cormac Foley, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Sam Parry (co-captain), 3. Rhys Henry, 4. James Fender, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. James Ratti, 7. Ross Moriarty, 8. Morgan Morse.
Replacements:
16. Lewis Lloys, 17. Steff Thomas, 18. Tom Botha, 19. Huw Sutton, 20. Harri Deaves, 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22. Luke Skully, 23. Evardi Boshoff.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
