Blues U16s North 34 - 12 Ospreys U16s East

After a hard fought performance up in North Wales on Sunday, the Ospreys U16s East had a quick three day turnaround before facing the Blues U16s North at Merthyr RFC on Wednesday night.

  • An early try from Lloyd Freeman and conversion from Jac Tregoning gave the Ospreys the early lead, but two quick tries from the hosts took the Blues just ahead 12-7 at half time
  • A dominant second half performance from the unbeaten Blues side saw them run in five tries in total, leaving the Ospreys struggling to add to their score
  • The Ospreys kept up their efforts till the very end, Logan Phillips scoring a consolation try in the final minutes to bring the Ospreys into double figures

 

Looking to keep their winning run going, the Ospreys U16s East faced tough opposition last night against the Blues U16s North, who remain unbeaten this season going into the game.

The young Ospreys did well in the opening stages of the game and dominating possession they denied their hosts any territory out of their own half for the first 10 minutes. A penalty inside the Blues 22, looked to be the making of the Ospreys first try, only for a penalty at the scrum to go in favour of the home side.

Not wanting to come away from a good attacking position empty handed, the Ospreys worked quickly to turn over the ball, and Logan Phillips took them to the Blues 22 once more. Quick play from the backs saw a chip over the top from Jac Tregoning find the hands of Lloyd Freeman who made his way over the whitewash for the Ospreys first try of the game. Tregoning added the conversion to take the Ospreys 0-7 ahead.

Trying to hit back, the Blues tried to make some headway into the Ospreys 22, but a heavy tackle from Kieran Stevens made sure they weren’t going anywhere. Despite not making any ground, the Blues managed to keep hold of possession as they tried to find a way through the Ospreys defence. A pass out wide to the Blues wing was a little loose and nicely picked up by Ospreys hooker Ben Owen who carried from his own half to just inside the Blues 22 before a knock on handed the Blues back possession.

Securing a penalty from the scrum, the Blues opted for touch to finally take them into the Ospreys half for the first time, 20 minutes in. Winning the lineout, a strong driving maul from the pack saw them punish the Ospreys defence, pushing them back deeper into their own half and eventually their 22.

A strong position and a good build up of phases allowed hooker Corben Evans to crash over the line for the Blues first try with 25 minutes on the clock, the conversion missed.

With momentum on their side the Blues secured another lineout in the Ospreys half and just like the previous try, another powerful maul drove the Ospreys backwards. With an advantage in hand, the hosts opted to take the penalty quickly, and a nice little break from Finlay Toomey Langford gave the Blues their second try. The conversion from Josh Phillips took them five points ahead at half time.

 

 

Half Time Blues U16s North 12 - 7 Ospreys U16s East 

The Blues were on the attack immediately from the restart, and from a scrum a charge over the line from James Roberts saw the Blues score their third try, Phillips with the conversion to extend their lead 19-7. 

Another charge minutes later from the Blues pack saw them crash over the line, only for superb defence from the Ospreys deem the ball as held up!

The Blues pressure was relentless though and a strong set piece left the Ospreys struggling in defence, a break through from Ethan Fackrell gave the Blues their bonus point try which went unconverted.

From the next restart, the Ospreys were caught off guard and a nice pickup from Rhys Thomas gave the Blues their fifth try just a minute later. Another missed conversion left the scores at 29-7 with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Next, a Blues attack was halted by Morgan Hibbard and a loose ball was chipped through back into the Blues half. Strong support and pressure from the young Ospreys chasers saw the Blues then penalised for holding on, allowing the Ospreys to kick to touch in a strong position.

Winning their lineout and building up the phases, a break from Rio Davies and pass inside to his fellow centre Logan Phillips, gave the Ospreys their second try of the game! The conversion from Tregoning blew just wide of the posts.

But the Blues weren't going to let the Ospreys have the last say. Another dominant attacking display from the young Blues saw them reach the Ospreys 22 once again, and a dive over the line from Kai Jones gave the Blues the final try.

Next up for the Ospreys U16s East, is their Ospreylian counterparts the Ospreys U16s West on Wednesday 28th February at The Gnoll.