The Ospreys Women got their 2015/16 campaign off to a winning start, securing a 39-0 victory over border rivals Blues Women on Sunday at Llandarcy Academy.
This season, Ospreys Women have the regional championship in their sights after just missing out last season to West opposition Scarlets Women.
The game saw the Ospreys run in 5 tries to win convincingly with a bonus point to ensure the best start to their campaign
The first 20 minutes it was everything to play for with both teams struggling to find their form. Two penalties against the Blues saw number 10 Robyn Wilkins kick the home team into a 6-0 lead. From this the Ospreys gained their composure which resulted in Sinead Breeze going over for the first try of the match. Robyn Wilkins was again there to add to the points tally with the Ospreys taking a 13-0 lead.
Into the last 10 before half time, the Blues gathered momentum and put together some excellent play to put the home team under pressure. Unfortunately for the Blues women, they could not turn possession into points and the Ospreys led 13-0 at half-time.
Both teams returned to the field of play with renewed vigour. After some intense pressure from the visiting side, the Ospreys regain possession and saw international number 8 Shona Powell-Hughes power over the try line for the Osprey second of the game. Robyn Wilkins was again there to add the extras and the tempo of the match increased.
Both sides battled hard but the Ospreys were soon to be rewarded again with a lovely play through hands to see Ffion Bowen score in the corner after 52 minutes. With a hard conversion that went wide the Blues women went on the attack but the last score had settled the home team with their defence holding the visitors at bay.
After some excellent play by the Blues players that saw a series of turn overs and handling errors made, the Ospreys found their poise and were rewarded when substitute full back Adi Taviner crossed for the 4th try of the match. Robyn Wilkins was again on hand to add the extras and this saw the home team winning 32-0 with 18 minutes still to go.
The Ospreys were now dominating the set piece and playing all their rugby on the front foot. The next 5 minutes saw the Ospreys bench emptied as Jess Smith, Alecs Donovan and Lowri Reeves took to the field.
The Ospreys were now on the constant attack with centres Kerin Lake and Jess Smith within touching distance of the try line. The Blues defended heroically however, keeping the constant run of Osprey players at bay.
The Ospreys were eventually rewarded for their ferocious attack and this saw young Charlie Mundy go over under the post for the fifth and final try of the match. With Robyn Wilkins accurate boot there to add the extra 2, the game saw the Ospreys Women walk away with the 39-0 victory.
With a tremendous team effort, the Women battled hard and were deserved winners. Back row players Siwan Lillicrap, Mel Clay and Shona Powell- Hughes put in a huge shift and stand in hooker Amy Price helped dominate in the scrum.
The Ospreys will be relieved to get the first game done with a big win under their belt and will now look forward to the next fixture away to the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach on the 22nd of November.