Ospreys (14) 26
Tries: Lake, Morgan-Williams, J Morgan, K Williams Cons: Edwards (2)
Dragons (6) 13
Tries: Reed Cons: Reed Pens: Reed (2)
The game itself would not be a classic but it would be a case of getting the job done for the Ospreys who would not be at their best.
Will Reed would give the visitors a six-point lead as the visitors would frustrate in the opening period, an advantage which the Dragons would hold for the first 30 minutes.
But the match would swing on two yellow cards shown to the Dragons as the Newport based region would lose their discipline. Both Aaron Wainwright and Dane Blacker would be sent to the sin bin just before the break with the home side capalising with three tries in a 15-minute period.
At 15-a-side the contest would often be even with the visitor’s pace on the counter attack would be dangerous as Reed’s score would threaten a reprieve, but the Ospreys defense would hold firm in key moments to secure the win.
Victory has now put them back in the reckoning for a play-off spot with both sixth-placed Edinburgh and eighth-placed Benetton falling to defeat this weekend meaning the final spots will be decided in a fortnight’s time.
The Ospreys would come into the game looking to bounce back from their disappointing 61-14 loss in Dublin to Leinster last weekend.
Two heavy defeats against the Irish province and in South Africa against the Bulls have left the Welsh regions hopes of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs on a knife-edge.
The scenario would be that Toby Booth’s side would have to win their two remaining games with an attacking bonus point against both the Dragons and Cardiff on Judgement Day in two weeks time at the Cardiff City Stadium.
That may not be enough with the Ospreys relying on other results going their way, but with the form book ripped up in an unpredictable season it would still be all to play for against Dai Flanagan’s struggling side without a win in Swansea since 2010.
Booth made four changes to his side for the Welsh derby with Jac Morgan making his first start in five months. Tom Botha would return from suspension at three, whilst Jack Walsh would get the nod over Max Nagy at full back. Tom Florence would start at centre after a late withdrawal from the squad from Owen Watkin.
After a slow and nervy start for the Ospreys, it would be the visitors who would take the early advantage forming a six-point lead through the boot of fly-half Reed.
The Ospreys would struggle to gain rhythm in their play as mistakes in critical situations would deny them a reward for their dominance in play.
Patience would be key, and just before the break Booth’s side would make the breakthrough after several phases of play. Hooker Lake emerging from a pile of bodies going over from close-range.
The game would swing on a series of discipline issues from the visitors who would end the half with 13 men. Firstly, Wales flanker Wainwright would be sent to the sin bin and crucially on the stroke of half-time scrum-half Blacker would join his teammate.
From the resulting re-start with the numerical advantage, the Ospreys would score their second try of the afternoon. Morgan-Williams gathering Morgan Morris’ offload after a breakaway to go over in the corner with Edwards adding the extras.
It would be a perfect start to the second period for the home side who looked to press on after the re-start. Lake scoring his second try of the afternoon as the Osprey’s driving maul would come to fruition once more to put daylight on the scoreboard between the two sides.
Back to a full quota on the field, however, the Dragons would slowly come back into the match and would hit back with Reed finishing replacement centre Sio Tomkinson’s pass after the Kiwi had sidestepped two defenders.
It would only be a short reprieve for the visitors though as the Ospreys would secure the all-important attacking bonus point. A pre-rehearsed lineout passing through finding centre Kieran Williams who would gleefully go over the try line at the second attempt.
Despite a few nervy moments, the score would end the game as a contest with the Ospreys defense holding firm to see out the vital win.
Ospreys XV:
Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan, Tom Florence, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards,
Reuben Morgan-Williams, Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Huw Sutton,
Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (captain), Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Victor Sekekete, Harri Deaves, Luke Davies, Max Nagy, Luke Skully.
Dragons XV:
Ewan Rosser, Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (captain), Aneurin Owen, Chris Hollis, Will Reed,
Dane Blacker, Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech,
Harri Keddie, Taine Basham. Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements:
Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dmitri Arhip, Sean Lonsdale, Ryan Woodman, Morgan Lloyd, Joe Westwood, Sio Tomkinson.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
