OSPREYS V ZEBRE PARMA
BKT UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
BREWERY FIELD
11TH OCTOBER 2025
Ospreys try scorers: Phil Cokanasiga, Morgan Morse, James Ratti
The first home game of the 25/26 season and we're back at the Brewery! Ospreys are undefeated in Bridgend in recent years, and the streak continued with a commanding win over Zebre Parma.
Ospreys were in control throughout, getting three tries on the board and rarely looking troubled by the Italian visitors, who remained scoreless.
The opening stage of the game saw Zebre go to the boot regularly, a clear tactic from the visitors to keep the back three honest. But, it was producing very little as Ospreys handled the high ball and repeatedly troubled the Zebre defensive line.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Ospreys continued to apply the pressure in the Zebre 22 and Phil Cokanasiga spotted a gap in the defence to finished with aplomb. Dan Eds got the extras. Ospreys 7 - 0 Zebre.
The early score did wonders for Ospreys confidence. The forwards were carrying with a vengeance and the backs playing some expansive rugby that was smooth on the eyes.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! A quality move led by a series of well-timed pop passes saw the ball fall into the hands of Morsey who cut past a defender and ran in from outside the 22. Dan Eds converted. Ospreys 14 - 0 Zebre.
The game settled down, with much of the play around half way in Ospreys possession. A smart dink through from Keelan in the 22 almost found its way into the hands of Harri Deaves on the occasion of his 50th appearance, but the ball went into touch.
The backline were enjoying the Brewery Field atmosphere, expressing themselves with the freedom created by a strong scrum by the pack.
Despite Zebre’s insistence on kicking, Walshy continued to sweep up everything from the back, creating countless counterattacking opportunities.
The half ended with Ospreys firmly in control and Zebre unable to fire a show.
HALF TIME: OSPREYS 14 - 0 ZEBRE
The opening exchanges of the second half were almost a mirror of the first, tense but with the Ospreys in the driving seat.
In an attempt to change the flow of momentum, Zebre were competing at every break down, but to no avail. Every Ospreys carry was quickly followed by two support runners cleaning up any risk of a turnover.
The first score of the second half came as Ospreys won a scrum penalty in front of the sticks. The offer of three points was too good to turn down and Dan Eds extended the lead. Ospreys 17 - 0 Zebre.
Zebre finally began to put the ball through the hands and run at the Ospreys defensive line. An interception saw the visitors break away, but Phil Cokansiga was on hand to tap the boots of the attacker slowing him down enough for Keelan Giles to finish the job. Then who was on hand to win the turn over? Mr. 50 aka Harri Deaves, of course.
Ratti was a real standout performer throughout for Ospreys, being deployed as a battering ram regularly and joining Deaves in making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown.
With ten to go, Ospreys were back on the rampage. Jack Walsh broke through a gap and whipped the pass out to Tom Florence, but he was brought down just short of the try line.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! But, it wasn't long until the third try was on the board. This the time the forwards were battering the line, eventually sending James Ratti crashing over. Ospreys 24 - 0 Zebre.
The final play of the game would be for Ospreys, who secured an attacking scrum on the Zebre try line. The ball was secured well and shipped on by Ratti, but it wasn't meant to be as a well-timed final tackle from Zebre sent the last pass skittering away from Dan Kasende into touch.
FULL TIME: OSPREYS 24 - 0 ZEBRE
We're back at the Brewery next week as we welcome Glasgow Warriors for a big Saturday night fight. We beat them at their place last year with the final kick of the game, so make sure you're there to cheer on the boys as they go for same again.
