United Rugby Championship
Ospreys (12) 33
Tries: Giles, Hardy 2, Parry, Hopkins Cons: Edwards 4
Cardiff (7) 22
Tries: Adams 2, Faletau, Sebastian Cons: Sheedy
In a five-try bonus point victory, a double from scrum-half Keiran Hardy and scores from wing Keelan Giles, hooker Sam Parry, and derby day specialist Iestyn Hopkins sent Mark Jones’ side to their second regional triumph in a week.
Cardiff scored four tries of their own with a late fightback seeing three scores in the final eight minutes.
Wales wing Josh Adams bagged a double before replacement flanker Taulupe Faletau, and Javan Sebastian would both go over late to earn an attacking bonus, but it would not be enough as Mark Jones’ side would hold on to be worthy winners.
Defeat means Cardiff failed to leapfrog the Stormers to the top of the URC table and remain second, whilst Ospreys rise to eighth before the six remaining matches take place on the weekend.
Ospreys had shuffled their pack, making six changes for the clash from the 26-19 victory over Scarlets on Boxing Day. Parry co-captaining the side with full back Jack Walsh, whilst there would also be starts for derby day hero Hopkins, front row duo Garyn Phillips and Tom Botha, Lock Rhys Davies, and number eight Morgan Morris.
Giles opened the scoring for the home side with a fine individual effort after a clever Hardy pass freed the wing to sprint over.
In their first attack of note, Cardiff responded with centre Ben Thomas squeezing through the Ospreys defence to provide the assist for Adams to strike back.
Back would come the Ospreys, who returned to their familiar power game with Hardy the beneficiary to dive over from the ruck to score.
Cardiff captain Liam Belcher was then shown a yellow card for an illegal clearout on Rhys Davies, but the home side would not be able to take advantage of their extra man and ended the half with a slender 12-7 lead at the break.
Jones’ side would not pay for their missed opportunity, and despite Cardiff restored to 15 men, Parry would drive over after good work from Ryan Smith.
Hardy would then cross for the crucial bonus-point score, leaving Cardiff wing Mason Grady trailing in his wake before Hopkins completed the Ospreys scoring to the jubilation of the sell-out crowd.
Cardiff wouldn’t lie down and responded with a fine second score for Adams, before Faletau’s powerful burst to score meant it would be a nervy conclusion.
But despite Ospreys replacement Morgan Morse being sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, the home side would hold out the final ten minutes, before replacement Sebastian crossed for the losing bonus-point score with the game’s last action.
Ospreys XV:
15. Jack Walsh (co-captain), 14. Iestyn Hopkins, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Keiran Williams, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Kieran Hardy,1. Garyn Phillips, 2. Sam Parry (co-captain), 3. Tom Botha, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. James Ratti, 7. Harri Deaves, 8. Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
16. Dewi Lake , 17. Steffan Thomas , 18. Rhys Henry, 19. James Fender, 20. Morgan Morse , 21. Gwilym Evans, 22. Phil Cokanasiga, 23. Max Nagy.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
