The Ospreys Women continued their winning streak at St Helen’s on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable win over local rivals the Scarlets Ladies
- Tries from Lauren Smyth, Alecs Donovan, Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones and a brace from Ffion Bowen gave the Ospreys the bonus point score
- A dominant performance from the Ospreys side ensured they picked up the win and go two from two in the WRU Women's Regional programme
The Ospreys women dominated the early stages of the game but struggled to turn their dominance into points on the board. It wasn’t until the twentieth minute that the side managed to drive their way into the Scarlets half and double the pressure on their opponents.
Building up the phases, a quick passage of play set up Lauren Smyth for the opening try for the Ospreys. No conversion kept the score 5-0.
The Ospreys continued to cause problems for the Scarlets at the scrum as the visitors struggled to hold their own against a physical Ospreys pack. With the penalties stacking up against the Scarlets, the referee awarded a yellow card to the women in red.
Taking full advantage of the extra woman, the Ospreys blitzed their way into the Scarlets 22 once again and Ffion Bowen spied the gap in defence to break over the line for the side’s second try of the game. The conversion taken by the wind kept the scores 10-0.
Moments later, the Scarlets got their first attacking chance in the Ospreys half. But as the Scarlets looked for the try a turnover from Carys Phillips put the Ospreys back in control. But with the Scarlets still in the Ospreys 22 a clearing kick from the hosts was charged down for the Scarlets first try of the game. No conversion kept the scores at 10-5.
Just before half time, the Ospreys were dealt a blow with Gwen Crabb stretchered off the field after a solid performance from the flanker.
Half Time Ospreys Women – 10 – 5 Scarlets Ladies
Running out for the second half, the Ospreys wasted no time in getting their names back on the board. A break from Kerin Lake out wide saw the captain make good ground, followed by an offload to Alecs Donovan, which saw her fellow centre ground the ball over the line. No conversion kept the score at 15-5 with just two minutes of the second half played.
The Scarlets struggled to gain any headway in the next few stages of play and seeing no way through the brick wall Osprey defence left the opposition opting for the three points to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Jodie Evans with the penalty for the Scarlets put the score at 15-8.
But the Ospreys came back up field firing from the restart. A swift break from Robyn Lock saw the side power their way into the Scarlets 22, and good support from the pack set Ffion Bowen up nicely to crash over the line for the brace. Keira Bevan adding the extras, took the hosts 22-8 ahead.
The Ospreys continued to dominate the attack in the second half, with their driving mauls pushing Scarlets way back into their 22 once again. A quick show and go from Bevan saw the fly-half blitz her way under the posts for the Ospreys fifth try of the game. Converting her own try took the side 29-8 ahead.
Denying their visitors any territory, the Ospreys raced their way back into the Scarlets half once again. Another forceful driving maul from the pack set up Kelsey Jones for the Ospreys sixth try of the game. The conversion bouncing off the crossbar put the scores at 34-8 with ten minutes left of play.
Despite being 34-8 points down, the Scarlets valiantly attempted to puncture through the Ospreys defence as the clock ran into its final five minutes. But the Ospreys were relentless and denied their visitors any shot at the line leaving the final score 34-8.
Next up for the Ospreys Women is the visit of Cardiff Blues Ladies to St Helen’s on Sunday 7th October for round four of the WRU Women’s programme, K.O 2:30pm.