Ospreys 9 Glasgow 9

The Ospreys are forced to settle for a draw against Glasgow at a rainlashed Liberty Stadium

Already missing an incredible 22 players through injury and international call-ups, the Ospreys were forced into a late change when Marty Holah withdrew with a hamstring injury sustained during the warm up, Steve Tandy stepping into the back row in his place and Kristian Phillips joining the replacements.

It was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening stages, as the Ospreys started slowly on a damp and low key night at the Liberty Stadium. It was a pair of big hits in midfield from Andrew Bishop and captain for the day Ian Gough in the 10th minute that brought the crowd to life and provided the spark to ignite the home side, who took the lead through a Gareth Owen penalty after Glasgow skipper Ali Kellock was penalised for going off his feet.

Glasgow levelled through the boot of the ever reliable Dan Parks in the 19th minute after Gough was penalised for a similar offence, before Owen put the Ospreys back in front after John Barclay strayed offside at the ruck.

The wet conditions were leading to a high number of unforced errors from both sides, the most telling being when Bowe failed to hold a pass as he looked set to race for the line after some good handling by the Ospreys backs.

Nikki Walker was forced off on the half hour after a sickening clash of heads with team-mate Filo Tiatia, Swansea RFC’s Nicky Thomas coming on for his regional debut, reward for his excellent form in the Premiership this season.

The Ospreys almost extended their lead immediately afterwards, Liam Davies making the initial impact with a darting run from the base of the scrum and when he was held up 5 metres short the ball was recycled wide and as the forwards drove over from close range, referee Peter Fitzgibbon went to the TMO for a decision, who judged that the ball hadn’t been grounded.


With the clock showing 40 minutes, Parks had the chance to level, but his penalty from close to the touchline struck the right upright, allowing the Ospreys to go in three points to the good at the break.

Half time: Ospreys 6 Glasgow 3

The Ospreys got the first points of the second period when Owen made it three from three in the 47th minute after Kellock was penalised again, this time for failing to role away following the tackle.

Neither side were able to take control of what was proving to be a very scrappy affair played out in torrential rain at times, but Glasgow struck back shortly after through a Parks penalty, given against Tiatia for offside.

Teenager James King was introduced to the fray on the hour when number eight Tom Smith was forced off with a blood injury, slotting in to the second row which allowed Tiatia to switch to the back row. Glasgow looked to take advantage of the change and they then went through a series of scrums on the Ospreys try-line, before Mr Fitzgibbon opted to penalise the home side, allowing Parks to level it.

Owen had a chance to respond immediately, but his penalty drifted wide of the left-hand post to leave it all square at 9-9, before Smith returned to the action with 10 minutes remaining.

With Rhodri Wells replacing Liam Davies for the closing stages, neither side were able to break the deadlock, an Owen drop goal attempt in the closing seconds failing to find the target as the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion.