The Ospreys U18s were back in action on Wednesday evening as they took on the Dragons at Morganstone Brewery Field in the opening game of Block 2 of the WRU Regional Age-Grade Championship.
- Tries from Iwan Shenton and Josh Thomas put the Ospreys on the board
- Despite the Ospreys efforts, the Dragons attack proved far too strong as they overwhelmed the opposition after the break
The Dragons were first off the mark, Will Reed with the penalty to give them the lead with just two minutes played.
The Dragons then stretched their lead after a build up of phases, a quick break from Deon Smith saw them crash over for the opening try. The conversion from Reed was successful, taking them 10-0 ahead.
On the 15 minute mark, the Ospreys finally found their way into the Dragons 22, only for a knock on at the lineout to go against them. The young squad kept their composure and forced a penalty against the Dragons. Taking the three points, Luke Scully easily slotted the penalty to put his side on the board.
With momentum gathering in their favour, the Ospreys conjured up a good attack out wide. Frankie Jones showing great pace, but the wing couldn’t find his inside man.
A good take and run from Tom Davies, who this time had men in support, looked to be the making of the Ospreys first try, only for a strong tackle on Tiaan Thomas Wheeler to stop the centre in his tracks before he could cross over.
The Dragons managed to win the turnover, but their clearing kick was nicely taken by the Ospreys back line.
A perfectly timed chip over saw Caine Woolerton and Iwan Shenton in hot pursuit of the ball, with Shenton picking up and grounding for the Ospreys first try of the game.
Scully’s conversion brought the scores level at the half time whistle.
Half Time - Ospreys U18s 10 -10 Dragons U18s
The Ospreys tried to gain the upper hand in the opening stages of the second half, a quick break from the pack took them into the Dragons 22 only for a knock on to go against them.
The Dragons proved relentless in attack, powering their way back upfield into Ospreys territory, and a driving maul from the pack saw Taylor Hansen ground the ball for their second try that went unconverted.
The visitors led by five with 20 minutes to play and with momentum now in their favour, the Dragons made quick work of an advantage, taking a lineout in the Ospreys 22, a few quick charges saw them ground the ball once again with hooker Zak Hewlett claiming the try, again unvonverted.
Looking to hit back, the Eyasses found themselves in a strong position from the restart and after a strong scrum, a solid carry from Will Barraclough saw them gain good ground, only for the ref to penalise the home side for holding on and ,just as before, the Dragons took advantage once again.
Their bonus point try came as the attack eased its way through the Ospreys defence after another powerful effort from the forwards, finished off by centre Aneurin Owen. The conversion missed, taken by the wind, and the scoreboard read 10-25.
With the wind starting to pick up, the Ospreys struggled to make any ground with the ball, instead it was the Dragons who managed to gain good ground and take play once again into their hosts 22.
Securing their lineout, another forwards effort saw them crash over the line, with Hewlett claiming his second try, topped off this time with a conversion to extend their lead to 10-32, with five minutes left to play.
Looking to get on the board in the second half, the Ospreys took a quick advantage from their own half. Josh Thomas raced his way up field, ignoring Ben Cambriani on his outside as he used his pace to go on his own before converting his own try.
Although there was just a minute left the Dragons weren’t prepared to hand the last say to the Ospreys as they collected the ball from the restart and worked their way through the phases. A pass out wide to Ewan Rosser saw the wing fly over the line for their sixth try, the conversion taking the final scores to Ospreys U18s 17-39 Dragons U18s.