There were two defeats and one postponement for the young Ospreys on Wednesday night.
Dragons U18s 48-17 Ospreys U18s
Looking to continue their winning streak, the Ospreys U18s travelled to Ystrad Mynach to take on the Dragons.
- Second half tries from Ben Cambriani, Frankie Jones and Tom Davies put the Ospreys on the scoreboard after going in at the break 22-0 down.
- Despite the improved second half showing, the Dragons proved too strong in attack.
The young Ospreys defended well in the opening stages of the game. With the Dragons attacking powerfully in the Ospreys half, strong tackles kept them at bay or sent them into touch and away from the whitewash.
Despite their strong efforts, the Dragons spied a gap in defence and sailed over the line for the opening try. No conversion left the scores at 5-0.
With momentum in their favour the Dragons a chip over the top was nicely spotted and grounded by their wing for their second try of the game, also unconverted.
The Ospreys tried to make their mark on the game and a powerful break from Travis Huntley saw them make headway into the Dragons half for the first time, before a knock on stopped them in their tracks.
A solid set piece from the pack kept the Dragons steady, but a relentless drive from the hosts saw the Ospreys defence stretched as they went over for their third try of the game. The conversion put the Dragons 17-0 ahead just shy of the 20 minute mark.
After a good take and some strong carries from the forwards brought the Ospreys to within metres of the Dragons line, only for a loose pass to find its way into opposition hands allowing them to clear upfield.
With possession back with the Dragons, it wasn’t long before their attack found its way deep in the Ospreys 22 once again and another pass out wide to the wing saw him ground the ball for their bonus point try.
Half Time Dragons U18s 22-0 Ospreys U18s
A nice steal from Ben Cambriani saw the centre race from his own half towards the tryline. The support was there but Cambriani decided to go it alone and beat a Dragons defender comfortably to score the Ospreys first try.
However, the Dragons were keen not to let their first half dominance slip, answering back almost immediately to score a fifth try. Their conversion on target gave them a 29-5 lead.
The Ospreys tried to get back some momentum, a quick break from Will Barraclough punctured the Dragons defence and an offload to his captain Luke Scully brought the visitors deeper into the Dragons half, but a knock on against the Ospreys handed the Dragons back possession.
Dangerous with the ball in hand, the Dragons chipped over the top and was nicely picked up and carried over the line for their sixth try of the game. The conversion extended their lead 36-5 with just over 10 minutes left of the game.
The Ospreys still showed glimmers of intent, and from a lineout deep in the Dragons 22, a driving maul from the pack set them up nicely for a pass inside to Frankie Jones sending the wing over for the second try,. Scully with the conversion to bring the scores to 36-12.
The Dragons answered back once again inside a minute. A strong run from their backline sent them over the line once again for an unconverted try.
It was end to end and the Ospreys scored next. A turnover and quick take from the pack saw Tom Davies race from his own half, to ground the ball over the line for the Ospreys third of the game. The conversion went just wide.
The Dragons had the final say, playing deep in the Ospreys 22 once again, a quick take from the backs saw them run under the posts for a try, the conversion bringing the final scores to 48-17.
Next up for the Ospreys U18s is a trip to North Wales to take on RGC U18’s on Sunday 11th February.
Elsewhere the Ospreys U16s West faced the Dragons North at Ystradgynlais. Tries from Ryan Chappel, Callum Dodd, Tom Davies and Drew Ullah gave the West side their bonus point try but the Dragons managed to score one more, to take them just ahead with the final score ending Ospreys U16s West 24 - 29 Dragons U16s North.
Meanwhile, the East’s game against Scarlets East at the Gnoll was postponed and has been rescheduled for Friday night at the same venue, 7pm KO,