On Tuesday (18th) evening on a frozen Narberth pitch the Young Ospreys under 20's qualified for the Reebok Final, with an emphatic win over the Scarlets.
It was essential to get points on the board early, on a pitch that was hard at the start of play and continued to get harder as the game progressed. If the referee was going to bring an early conclusion to the game the Young Ospreys wanted to be in the driving seat and avoid any controversy with regards to qualification. Therefore Dan Biggars' (pictured) choice to drop a goal from early pressure made sense; he then followed this up with a superb individual try which he converted. To the Scarlets credit they hung on in the game and scored a try from a driving lineout on the stroke of half time. The Young Ospreys players ensured that the management team could relax and enjoy the game as they scored an early try through illusive wing Jamie Murphy, which was quickly followed up by a Biggar penalty and a try for impressive No 8 Rory Pitman. With the game looking as if it was won and coach Garin Jenkins anticipating an early finish, he made all his substitutions with 25 minutes of play left. However, the referee saw no reason to finish the game early and Jenkins did have a little scare as the Scarlets scored 2 tries and created greater spectator interest with a 23 - 17 scoreline. But loose head prop Ryan Bevington ensured that Jenkins wouldn't suffer any full time blushes as he ensured victory with a bonus point try that resulted in a final score of 28 points to 17. Jenkins keeps his squad on their toes with a 7.15am training session on Xmas Eve before they take on the Blues in the Reebok Final at Ebbw Vale on Thursday, 27th December. On Wednesday (19th) the Young Ospreys under 16's played hosts to North Wales at Bridgend College. North Wales have devoloped a reputation as giant killers this season as they've come down south to score victories over the Scarlets and the Blues North. Therefore when the Young Ospreys failed to take advantage of the early chances that came their way, no one was surprised by the fact that the visitors scored tries by centre George North and outside half Jack Roberts; while full back Callum Bennet converted both and also kicked a penalty. Nevertheless, this Young Osprey squad has also developed a reputation for showing great determination in coming from behind to win the majority of their matches this season. However, being 17 points down with only 25 minutes remaining, should surely be too much to expect. But they are made of stern stuff and they eventually got over the try line 3 times with tries from full back Jonathon Phillips, and wings Bowdy Davies and Sam Hughes; Phillips added 2 conversions and a penalty to his try and another victory (by 22 points to 17) was achieved. Next up for the under 16 squad will be a training session at Llandarcy on 21st of December and then an afternoon kick off (2pm) with the Scarlets at Narberth RFC on the 27th.