The Ospreys West side fell to their first defeat of the season against a powerful Blues team
The young Ospreys had a good start to the game with themajority of possession in the opening stages. When they managed to steal the Blues line out with just five minutes on the clock they found themselves in prime position just outside their opponents 22. A strong break by Callum Carson saw them gain valuable yards and after the pack tried to power over the line, the home team sent the ball wide and Kieran Charles charged through two defenders to score. Carson unable to find his mark and the conversion went wide.
The Ospreys West had several more chances to test the Blues back line but despite spending the majority of the next 20 minutes in the Blues half they couldn't make it count. Improved defence from the visitors and handling errors cost them with knock ons close to the line and balls coming lose allowing the Blues to gain control of the ball.
Instead it was the Blues North that made it onto the score sheet next. A sudden burst of attack as the game entered the final five minutes of the first half allowed them to finally make it into the Ospreys half. A race down the wing from Regan Wilton, impressively keeping his feet just inside the line, soon saw him cross over the try line. Ben Jones' kick crossed the front of the posts and the score stayed tied.
However as the clock went red, a failure to clear the ball cost the home team. An interception put the Blues in control and Eddie Francis scored to take the lead. Despite a kick right in front of the posts, Jones' second conversion attempt also went wide and the game went into half time:
Ospreys West Under 16's 5 - 10 Blues North Under 16's
More pressure from the Blues early in the second half had the Ospreys West scrabbling back to protect their line but with improved efforts from the visitors they couldn't hold out the powerful attack and with just 3 minutes played in the second half Francis for a crossed over for a second time to extend their lead. Again Jones was unable to add the extra two points as his conversion attempt went wide.
As the second half progressed, the Ospreys improved in attack and put pressure on their visitors. A strong Blues side however left no gaps and with handling errors again impeding the home team as they tried to go through the phases, they couldn't get themselves over the try line.
Despite the Ospreys improvements the Blues North side continued to be the stronger team. Along with good teamwork, their individual performances were strong and Ben Jones raced 70m untouched for try number four. Again he was unable to convert his own efforts but with just ten minutes remaining they led by 15 points.
With neither team able to finish off their attacking play in the last quarter, the game finished:
Ospreys West Under 16's 5 - 20 Blues North Under 16's
Ospreys West Under 16's Head Coach Dai Jones commented on his side's defeat:
"It's the first time the boys have lost so it's a new experience for them, but it's one that they will learn from. We played against a very good side tonight and it was a real full blooded regional game and it's one that they will improve from.
"We talked before the game about concentration and there were a few lapses towards the end of the first half and at the start of the first half and that's when they scored three of their four tries and that was the period that won and lost the game.
"We're looking forward to Monday and getting into training now ahead of our last game of the season. The boys are positive and I think they will learn more from the loss tonight than they have from the previous wins. We'll make sure that they do and they will give the best that they can give next Wednesday."