United Rugby Championship
Ospreys (14) 21
Tries: Edwards, J Morgan, G Phillips Cons: Edwards (3)
Sharks (12) 17
Tries: Buthelezi (2), Hooker Con: Smith
In a bruising encounter, Ospreys would overcome injury to last out the final quarter of the game with 14 men and uncontested scrums to earn a vital victory towards their slim hopes of a top-eight finish.
The Welsh side came into the contest under pressure to pull out a result, with just four games remaining in the regular season, but were soon ahead against their South African rivals, lying three points and one place above them.
Ospreys led 14-12 at the break thanks to tries by Wales internationals Dan Edwards and inspirational captain Jac Morgan.
Fly-half Edwards opening the scoring starting and finishing a breathtaking breakaway move, combining with wing Dan Kasende to put the home side in the ascendancy.
Sharks flanker Phepsi Buthelezi then reduced the arrears in the 19th minute, muscling his way over from close range for a fourth try in three games following a Sharks penalty.
But Ospreys would regain the lead with skipper Morgan crossing for his side’s second, powering over following a successful driving maul, with Edwards adding the extras.
Jones’ side went hunting a third try with the break incoming, but would be punished against the run of play when a loose ball led to wing Ethan Hooker sprinting away for a breakaway score to leave the half-time deficit at two points.
The home side, though, would come out of the blocks fighting in the second 40 and soon regained their nine-point advantage. Replacement prop Garyn Phillips dashing under the posts for his first try for the Welsh region after an interception by the lively Kasende.
Phillips evening, however, would be short-lived, after being ended by injury. This would leave the hosts in the uncompromising position of playing out the last quarter with 14 men and also uncontested scrums.
The Sharks now had all the pressure and were pressing the Ospreys line, and with the man advantage, finally were able to get the score they’d been fighting for after several phases. Buthelezi crossing off the back of a maul to grab his second of the match.
The visitors would then throw the kitchen sink at the Ospreys in search of a decisive fourth try, but were made to pay for their poor kicking display and execution as Jones’ side rallied resiliently defending in the trenches, as the Sharks were thwarted in their effort to steal the spoils.
An attacking lineout for the visitors deep within the Ospreys half would be the Sharks’ final effort and wasted after being knocked on out the back, allowing the home side to clear and see out the win.
The result sees the Ospreys leapfrog the Sharks into 11th position in the URC table, 11 points behind eighth-placed Vodacom Bulls.
Slim hopes of a top-eight finish still remain outside of the Welsh regions’ hands, and will now move on to round 16, where a trip to seventh-placed bitter rivals Cardiff awaits, with a bonus point victory a must.
One eye will also be on rivals Scarlets, who could do Ospreys a massive favour when the Bulls visit Llanelli next weekend as the competition continues to hot up towards its conclusion.
15. Iestyn Hopkins, 14. Luke Morgan, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Dan Kasende, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Kieran Hardy, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Sam Parry, 3. Tom Botha, 4. Hugh Sutton, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. James Ratti, 7. Jac Morgan (captain), 8. Morgan Morris.
Replacements:
16.Evan Daniel, 17. Garyn Phillips, 18. Ben Warren, 19. Ross Moriarty, 20. Harri Deaves, 21. Reuban Morgan-Williams, 22. Phil Cokanasiga, 23. Jack Walsh.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
