Ospreys v Exeter
PRE-SEASON
Brewery Field
6th September 2025
Ospreys try scorers: Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty, Phil Cokanasiga, Gwilym Evans
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon as 3,100 fans packed into the Brewery Field to welcome the 25/26 season to Bridgend.
Exeter were a strong opposition who were lethal on the counter attack. They took an early lead and kept it, but a young Ospreys team which saw plenty of first appearances held their own and fought back to close the gap with a breathless finish.
Exeter got the first try of the game after a breakaway in midfield was finished by Stephen Varney. Skinner converted the extras to give the visitors an early seven-point lead. Ospreys 0 - 7 Exeter.
With around 10 minutes played, Exeter grabbed the second score of the game. A turnover in midfield opened up a gap in the defence for Varney and a few smart offloads in succession allowed Campbell Ridl to finish in the corner. Conversion missed. Ospreys 0 - 12 Exeter.
Ospreys grew into the game after the second Exeter score as their hold on possession and territory vastly improved. A successive set of penalties gave us a trip to the Exeter 22, but we were unable to convert into points.
Next time, we made it count. TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! With 20 minutes on the clock, Nagy broke through a gap in the Exeter defence, falling just short of the line. Deavesy was able to power over in the following phase and get Ospreys on the board. Captain Jack Walsh converted. Ospreys 7 - 12 Exeter.
It looked like it might open up for Exeter after a half gap appeared in the Ospreys defence, but a superb recovering tackle from Deavesy was quickly followed up by a textbook turnover by the man in the yellow cap. He was on fine form all game.
Despite the Ospreys’ control, a Brown-Bampoe break gave Exeter their third try of the game. Ben Hammersley was the eventual benefactor after the ball went through the hands. Conversion successful. Ospreys 7 - 17 Exeter.
With a few minutes remaining in the first half, Exeter turned up the pressure and put Campbell Ridl through for their fourth try. Conversion missed. It was a strong first half performance from the visitors. Ospreys 7 - 24 Exeter.
HALF TIME: Ospreys 7 - 24 Exeter.
Exeter rang the changes at the start of the second half as the second of their two named teams took the field. There were also plenty of Ospreys debutants waiting in the wings for their first taste of senior rugby.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The boys came out flying in the second half. Two quality solo runs from Luke Morgan and Iestyn Hopkins carved open the Exeter defence and put Ross Moriarty in to finish in the left corner for his first Ospreys try. Conversion missed. Ospreys 12 - 24 Exeter.
A tense passage of play ensued after the Ospreys score, with opportunities coming few and far between. A half chance opened up for Morsey as he broke through the Exeter line, but his grubber past the last man found its way into touch.
Despite the Ospreys controlling the second half, Exeter took their first opportunity to add to their tally. Some carries near the Ospreys line eventually saw Jimmy Roots power over for the score. Conversion successful. Ospreys 12 - 31 Exeter.
The visitors soon extended their lead again as Harry Ascheri corssed for the try. Conversion successful. Ospreys 12 - 38 Exeter.
With ten minutes to go and the bench emptied, Ospreys turned up the pressure and pushed Exeter hard setting us up for a frantic finish at the Brewery Field.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Harri Houston cut through the Exeter defence and with one man to beat he popped it inside to his support runner Phil Cokanasiga who finished under the sticks. Owen Erasmus was on to take the kicks and made his first conversion. Ospreys 19 - 38 Exeter.
There was no time to take as a breath as the Ospreys attack roared into life from the restart and the Exeter defence began to tire. TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! After a few separate line breaks, including a stormer by Tom Florence, Gwilym Evans burst over on his first Ospreys appearance to bag the fourth try. No bonus points in a friendly, of course, but it was indicative of a never-say-day attitude that characterised this Ospreys performance in the second half. Erasmus got the extras, and the game was done. Ospreys 26 - 38 Exeter.
FULL TIME: Ospreys 26 - 38 Exeter.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first run out at the Brewery Field. Our URC season begins away in South Africa to the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday 27th September.
We'll be ready to welcome you back to the Brewery for our first home game as we face Zabre Parma at home on Saturday 11th October, KO 3pm. Match tickets will be on sale soon, but the best way to show your support and get behind the boys is with a 25/26 Season Membership.
Get yours now!