The Ospreys age-grade sides were in action yesterday evening. The U18s took on the Scarlets whilst the U16s West took on the Blues North.
Ospreys U18s
The Ospreys U18s welcomed defending champions Scarlets U18s to Aberavon RFC last night, as they looked to kick off their season with a win.
In the opening few stages of play, the Ospreys were dealt a blow, with Harry Deaves forced off in the first five minutes with an injury.
The Scarlets dominated territory in the next few minutes and kept the Ospreys in their own half. But the Ospreys defence held its own well, until the 15-minute mark which saw David Jones with a break in the centre, clear to run in the opening try. The conversion from Bradley Roderick taking the Scarlets 0-7 ahead.
Just a minute later try number two came for the Scarlets with a pass out wide to Harrison Button sending the wing over the whitewash. Roderick missing the conversion keeping the scores 0-12.
But keen to make up for missing the conversion a powerful break from Roderick saw the fly-half blitz his way upfield to score the Scarlets third try of the game. Converting his own try extended the Scarlets lead 0-19.
With the Ospreys struggling to gain any headway out of their own half, a powerful drive from the pack eventually saw them gain good ground, and a strong stage of play saw them edge their way closer to the 22. But as they looked to gain the upper hand, a knock on in the slippery conditions handed the Scarlets back possession.
Taking quick advantage, the Scarlets ran in two tries before the half time whistle to take a healthy 0-29 lead into the break.
Half time Ospreys U18s 0 – 29 Scarlets U18s
The Scarlets opened the second half scores with a quick try under the posts but despite the 34-point deficit the Ospreys did well to conjure up an attack, running the ball powerfully against their opponents. Their efforts were soon rewarded with scrum-half Liam Seawood picking up the ball and driving over the whitewash for the Ospreys first points of the game. No conversion kept the scores 5-34.
But the Scarlets answered back straight away with a try of their own through Zak Giannini, with the conversion taking them 5-41 ahead with 10 minutes left to play.
The Ospreys tried to gain some momentum in their favour, but the Scarlets defence was relentless, denying the young Ospreys any headway. Two powerful tries from the visitors and a conversion secured the victory for the defending champions.
Full time Ospreys U18s 5 – 53 Scarlets U18s
Ospreys U16s West
Whilst the U16s East were given a bye in round one, the West side travelled to Sardis Road to face tough opposition against the Blues U16s North.
After claiming the win against the unbeaten Cardiff Blues side in last week’s super six festival, the Ospreys knew they were in for a tough contest as the Blues looked for redemption from last week’s defeat.
The hosts opened the scores early with a converted try, but the Ospreys were quick to answer back with a break in midfield from Iestyn Lewis leaving the centre to run clear of the whitewash for the Ospreys first try. No conversion kept the Blues just ahead at 7-5 with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
Both sides tried to gain the upper hand in the next few stages of play, but slippery conditions left both sides struggling to keep hold of the ball and gather any momentum. Eventually a solid passage of play from the hosts sent them over the line for their second try of the game.
Moments later, with the wind in their favour, the Blues powered their way into the Ospreys 22 once again to run in their third try of the game. No conversion but the Blues went in 17-5 at the break.
Half time – Blues U16s North 17-5 Ospreys U16s West
Coming out for the second half, the Blues kept their momentum building and played their way deep into the Ospreys half once again. Conjuring up another attack, a drive over the line from the pack saw them claim their third try of the game. The conversion taking them 24-5 ahead.
Still in control of the game, it wasn’t long till the Blues attack came calling once more. A relentless attack in the Ospreys 22, made room for the pack to drive over for another try. The conversion extending their lead 31-5.
But the young Ospreys battled back in the closing few minutes, and as the clock turned red a storming attack from the backs saw Tiegue Williams blitz through the Blues defence and claim the young Ospreys second try of the game. The conversion from Alex Hughes bringing the final score to 31-12.
Full time - Blues U16s North 31 – 12 Ospreys U16s West