Edinburgh 20 Ospreys 9

The Ospreys endured a frustrating evening in the Scottish capital and are still seeking their first win of the season after this defeat at BT Murrayfield.

 

They went in at the break leading by two points, just about edging the first half despite finding themselves under the cosh in the final 10 minutes of the opening period. It was a different story after the break though as they struggled to build any momentum, and they head home without even the consolation of a losing bonus point. 

Two yellow cards, one in each half, didn't help the cause as both Edinburgh took full advantage of the extra man to score 10 points while their opponents were down to 14.

It all started very differently, as a positive opening from the Ospreys was rewarded with an early sight at the posts for Sam Davies. Although his kick from the left touchline came back off the upright, a second penalty followed immediately, Edinburgh offside right in front of the posts, allowing the young 10 to open his team’s account five minutes in.

With the first quarter almost exclusively played out in the Edinburgh half the Ospreys were well on top in the opening exchanges, albeit without looking like threatening the line.

Davies was off target with another penalty from the left after the hosts were penalised at the scrum, but he had better luck from close to halfway in the 19th minute, sending it straight down the middle to double the lead.

Edinburgh finally managed to get some good territory, Phil Burleigh putting them in the corner. As they looked to turn the screw, with a series of lineout drives, Nicky Smith found himself in the sin bin for an offence on the floor.

The hosts continued pressing and, at the fourth attempt, finally managed to cross the line but despite the best efforts of Roddy Grant, the Ospreys defenders were able to hold the openside up.

There was little respite for the visitors though as Edinbugh pressed at the resulting scrum. Somehow the Ospreys continued to frustrate their opponents, albeit at the expense of a series of penalties, but the home team were eventually able to make almost 10 minutes of pressure on the line count as a gap opened on the right for Burleigh to drift past Ben John’s attempted tackle to score in the corner. Greig Tonks converted and Edinburgh led with two minutes to go until half-time.

There was still time for the Ospreys to retake the lead, Edinburgh penalised at the ruck and Davies made no mistake with the final act of the first half.

HALF-TIME: EDINBURGH 7 OSPREYS 9

The lead changed hands again eight minutes after the restart, Tonks with a straightforward three points after Ben John was penalised on the floor.

The Ospreys were struggling to get going as the home team continued to hold the upper hand, as they had in the closing stages of the first half, but the visitor’s aggressive defence was keeping their line intact.

However, they were down to 14 once again on 62 minutes, Olly Cracknell yellow carded on the advice of the TMO for a dangerous tackle on Tonks.

The fullback duly picked himself up to slot the penalty over, and Edinburgh led 13-9.

Edinburgh really should have made the game safe on 72 minutes when, after more than 20 phases of pressure, they eventually managed to pierce a hole in the Ospreys defence, Hamish Watson with a powerful break. Grant was in support and as Aled Jenkins just managed to bring him down short it looked like a simple finish for Chris Dean under the posts, but somehow the offload from Grant failed to find his centre.

The try did come just a couple of minutes later, Edinburgh going to the corner once again and the Ospreys just couldn’t stop rumbling over, John Andress dotting down and Cuthbert converting to seal it.

The Ospreys huffed and puffed through the final minutes, looking for a score that would, at least, secure a point, but there was to be no consolation as the winless start to the campaign continues.