Those who question the value of Regional fixtures minus the International players may have changed their minds if they"â¬â¢d seen the quality on show in this match between the Young Ospreys under 18"â¬â¢s and the Blues.
Those who question the value of Regional fixtures minus the International players may have changed their minds if they’d seen the quality on show in this match between the Young Ospreys under 18’s and the Blues. In an exciting and entertaining match the Young Ospreys eventually ran out winners by 40 points to 13. Ironically it was the Blues who were the first on the scoreboard with an unconverted try however it didn’t last long as Young Osprey full back Luke Hathaway put his stamp on the game with the first of a number of 50 metre plus breaks which this time led to a try for outside half Tom Cole; Cole added the conversion for a 2 point lead. Then the Blues bounced back with a penalty and a try to lead by 13 points to 7 before Cole got on the score sheet again with a second try after some excellent inter passing by both backs and forwards. Then came the try of the match when from a lineout in their own half the backs were given the ball “off the top” and a super miss pass from inside centre Scott Robinson found Hathaway who hit the line at pace and continued his run over 60 metres, out pacing the cover defence and scoring a try which Cole converted for a 19 points to 13 half time lead.
The second half was dominated by the Young Ospreys and they scored 21 points without reply. Tries were scored by replacements Justin Tipuric, Dean Ronan and Gareth Owen; Owen also converted the three on his return to Regional rugby after a twelvemonths absence. This result will certainly give the Young Osprey a confidence booster before their visit to Narberth and a final fixture of the season with the Scarlets on Monday 10th April.