The Ospreys U16s teams were in action this weekend, West facing the Scarlets West at Tonmawr RFC on Friday night whilst the East travelled to North Wales to take on RGC on Sunday afternoon.
Scarlets U16s West 12-12 Ospreys U16s West
In this rearranged fixture Tonmawr RFC played hosts for the age-grade derby after the original fixture scheduled for Wednesday at Tenby RFC was posptponed.
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening stages of the game, with neither conceding any points against the other. On the quarter of an hour mark a brilliant stage of play found the Ospreys make their way into the Scarlets half. A strong passage of play and a nicely timed break from Iestyn Hopkins made room for the fullback to score the opening try. Skipper Joe Hawkins with the conversion to take the young Ospreys 0-7 ahead.
The young Scarlets tried to answer back and get their names on the board, and only five minutes later a strong attack from the pack gave them their first try. No conversion left the Ospreys just ahead at the end of the first half.
Half Time Scarlets U16s West 5-7 Ospreys U16s West
Coming out for the second half the Scarlets attacked powerfully, and right from the off dominant pace from the boys in red saw them catch the Ospreys off guard, running in their second try of the game. The conversion on target this time put them ahead 12-7 with just under 40 minutes played.
The Ospreys defended well in the following 10 minutes but their opponents were just as relentless in their efforts. It wasn’t until the 50th minute that a superb passage of play saw the Ospreys charge their way into the Scarlets 22. A strong driving maul from the pack sent Lloyd Eaton over the whitewash for their second try of the game! But no conversion left the scores even at 12-12 at the final whistle.
RGC U16s 26 - 32 Ospreys U16s East
The East side looked to get back to winning ways when they travelled to Bangor RFC on Sunday.
Similar to the West side’s game, both sides were evenly matched in the opening stages of play, and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that RGC found themselves in a strong attacking position in the Ospreys half. A quick passage of play from the backs saw a pass out wide to Harri Robinson Hughes seal the opening try of the game. Dafydd Williams with the conversion to take the hosts 7-0 ahead.
Looking to answer back, the young Ospreys conjured up a powerful attack in their oppositions half. Breaking his way through the defenders a quick charge from Logan Phillips saw the centre score the visitors first try of the game. No conversion left RGC just ahead with half an hour played.
With momentum on their side, the Ospreys kept the pressure on their hosts pushing them deeper into their 22. A powerful charge from the pack proved far too strong for RGC with Kyan Lloyd crashing over the whitewash to take the Ospreys ahead. No conversion left the scores 7-10 at the half time whistle.
Half Time RGC U16s 7 - 10 Ospreys U16s East
Coming out for the second half, RGC looked to claim back their lead. Another quick passage of play amongst the backs saw Dafydd Williams slice his way through the Ospreys defence for RGC’s second try of the game. Converting his own try, Williams took his side 14-10 ahead.
But it wasn’t long before the Ospreys found themselves back in RGC’s half. A penalty taking them further into their hosts 22 just two minutes later. Securing the lineout and protecting the ball well, a driving lineout saw Ben Owen ground the Ospreys third try of the game. Another missed conversion but the Ospreys edged just ahead at 14-15.
Looking to extend their lead, the Ospreys were relentless in their attack, and a strong race from the backs saw Lloyd Freeman break through RGC’s defence and race over the line out wide for the bonus point try. The scores sat at 14-20 after another missed conversion.
However, RGC were quick to answer back. A driving maul of their own sending Stefan Simm over the try line for their third of the game. Williams with the conversion to take RGC back ahead at 21-20.
In a bid to claim back their lead, the Ospreys took control of possession and a great show by Morgan Hibbard saw the number 8 break through RGC’s defence from the halfway line to crash over to put his side back ahead 21-25.
But just like before, RGC turned things back around. A dominant attack from the pack saw skipper Sam Hughes crash his way over the line! No conversion for the hosts but RGC went back ahead at 26-25.
But the Ospreys were ready to answer back. This time it was the Ospreys skipper Hibbard who produced a replica passage of play from his previous try, to race through RGC’s defence from the halfway line to score his sides sixth of the game. Jac Tregoning with the conversion to seal the Ospreys win at 26-32.