The Ospreys U16's returned to winning ways after defeating RGC1404 25-15 on their own patch on Sunday.
The first half saw the defences dominate with both teams refusing to buckle. Only infringements at the breakdown enabled points to be scored with the Eyasses’ James Davies and RGC1404’s Danny Cross exchanging a pair of penalties each.
After the break, the game started to open up when both sets of players started to show some attacking intent. Cross added another three-pointer for his team early on but the Eyasses took the lead as their threatening centre, Owen Watkin, finished off a fine attacking move to score the game’s opening try. Davies converted.
RGC1404 continued to fight against a dogged Eyasses team with Danny Cross landing another successful penalty before his captain, Ryan Pike, put his team in front with a penalty of his own.
The young Ospreys continued to search for a win with the forwards creating quick ball at the breakdown to help their backs strut their stuff. Full back, Stuart Nicholas soon crossed the whitewash before Watkin bagged his second try of the game with another fine Eyasses move. Matthew Aubrey slotted the conversion.
A pleasing 25-15 victory had been secured and the Eyasses team will be pleased with the win but will look to further improve on their performance before taking on the Blues South in their next fixture
Meanwhile, The U18s conceded six tries as they fell 40-13 to RGC15 in North Wales on Sunday.
Many players from the U17 development squad were fielded to give them vital experience on what to expect at a higher level of rugby with only three regular U188 squad members remaining in the 23-man squad.
RGC kicked off with a strong wind behind their backs and made clinical use of this advantage immediately, pinning the Eyasses back in their own 22 for a good while. When the North Walians gained possession, the young Ospreys stood strong against their efforts and defended valiantly.
Finally, cracks began to show and it wasn’t long until the RGC outside half sliced his way through the defence to score beneath the sticks. It was duly converted by the outside centre.
The Eyasses managed to get some ball in hand and create some solid phases before being rewarded with a penalty. Young outside half, Rhodri Davies, slotted the three pointer to get his team ticking on the scoreboard.
Both team’s exchanged penalty kicks leaving the score at 13-6 with ten minutes remaining in the half. RGC again started to pile on the pressure but the Eyasses thwarted attack after attack. It wasn’t long until the pressure turned into points when the RGC outside centre burst his way through the defence to cross for his team’s second try. He added the extra two.
With the wind behind the Eyasses for the second half they looked to find a way back into the tie but he more experienced, older and stronger RGC team started to take the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring three tries without reply.
Full-time was almost upon us and the Eyasses wanted to head home with some pride intact. The ball was flung wide after several phases and winger, Lloyd Pritchard managed to touch down for his sides only five-pointer. Jake Thomas slotted a sublime touchline conversion.
RGC wanted to show their dominance and with as little as a minute remaining, the North Walian outfit grabbed their sixth try of the match to bring the game to a close at 40-13.
The Ospreys staff were disappointed with the result but were pleased with the way their younger players conducted themselves on the pitch, agreeing that this match was an excellent exercise for all involved.
Coach Mark Morgan said:
“The boy’s played well in fits and starts showing some great ability and vision; unfortunately they were unable to maintain the intensity throughout the 70 minutes. Our scrum was fairly strong and never took a backward step and the backs looked promising in attack when supplied with clean ball. Every player involved has learned from this exercise and now understands the intensity, physicality and fitness levels required to play at this level on a regular basis. These young players will bounce back from this defeat and will work hard over the coming months in preparation for the return fixture.”