The Ospreys Women welcomed Cardiff Blues Ladies to St Helen’s on Sunday afternoon in a top of the table clash in the WRU Women’s programme.
- A dominant display from the hosts saw Amy Evans, Natalia John, Lauren Smyth, Emma Hennessy and Siwan Lillicrap add their names to the scoreboard.
- Ffion Bowen also sealed herself a brace, with Keira Bevan adding the extras to give the women’s side a 41-0 lead
- Denying their visitors even a consolation try, a superior performance sealed the Ospreys Women the win, with the Championship almost in the bag with one game still left to play next weekend.
The Ospreys Women continued their winning run in the WRU Women’s programme, when they welcomed Cardiff Blues Ladies to St Helen’s on Sunday afternoon.
With the Cardiff Blues side unbeaten all season, the Ospreys made sure to stamp their mark on the game early on. Powering their way into the Blues 22, the Ospreys looked for the early try, only for a turnover by the visitors to stop their momentum. But the visitors struggled to gain the headway after a knock on from an offload handed Ospreys the attacking scrum in the Blues 22.
A physical display at the scrum from the Ospreys pack left Cardiff Bleus struggling to hold them back, and with the penalties stacking against them the Ospreys made sure to take advantage. A quick tap and go from Keira Bevan, set the pack up nicely and a drive over the line from Amy Evans opened the score. No conversion, but the Ospreys were 5-0 ahead.
From the restart, the Ospreys took the control and made sure their opponents were denied any period of play in the hosts 22. Instead, the Cardiff Bleus were forced to defend against a relentless Ospreys attack. Securing a lineout just inside the Blues 22, a driving maul from the pack set Natalia John up nicely for the second try of the game. Keira Bevan with the conversion extended the lead 12-0.
Cardiff Blues were dealt another blow just before half time, with Lily Snape receiving a yellow card for an infringement. The Ospreys women continued to dominate and took full advantage of the extra woman. Finding the break in defence a race out wide from Ffion Bowen saw the third try of the game just before halftime. No conversion, but the Ospreys went in at the break with a 17-0 lead.
Half – time Ospreys Women 17 – 0 Cardiff Blues
Running out for the second half, the Ospreys side continued their dominance by powering their way into the Blues half once more. A quick break from Robyn Lock left the flanker draw in the defence making room for Lauren Smyth to break her way through for the bonus point try. The conversion bouncing off the posts put the score at 22-0.
Still firmly in control of the game, the Ospreys Women made sure the Cardiff Blues steered clear of their half. Ferocious tackling from Carys Phillips and the front row, secured the turnover for the hosts, and quick support from the backline saw Niamh Terry make good headway upfield. Quick line speed from Smyth and an offload to her wing sent Emma Hennessy over the whitewash for the side’s fifth of the game. Keira Bevan with the conversion extended the Ospreys lead to 29-0 with 20 minutes left on the clock.
In the hunt for their sixth try, the Ospreys came calling once more. Another break mid field from Lock saw the pack race into the Blues 22, and another quick build up of phases saw Ffion Bowen blitz her way over the line for the brace. No conversion put the score at 34-0.
With the Ospreys enjoying all the possession and territory, the Blues struggled to gain any momentum in their favour. But they kept drilling away at the Ospreys defence, before being brought down in attack and forced to defend once more.
The Ospreys women made sure to capitalise with a quick take and break from Alecs Donovan accelerating the side back into the Blues 22 once again. Strong support from the squad saw Siwan Lillicrap burst through the defence for the final try of the game under the posts. Bevan having the final say with the conversion, secured the Ospreys the victory.
Next up for the Women’s side, is a trip to Parc Y Scarlets next Sunday to face RGC Women in the final round of the WRU Women’s regional programme, K.O 2:30pm.