Ospreys U20's fall at home to Scarlet counterparts
The Ospreys 20's started off their round robin of regional games in disappointing fashion with a home loss to a determined and more streetwise Scarlets outfit. In poor conditions at the aptly named Waterton Cross, the Scarlets started with a bang and took an early lead with a turnover creating the chance for winger Jamie Davies to gallop over from 60 metres. Things went from bad to worse for the Young Ospreys with a charge down kick resulting in a score for blindside James Davies; 12-0 to the Scarlets. Impressive outside half Dan Etteridge and fullback Dan Newton continued to pressure the Ospreys with accurate territorial kicking and from another good position scrum pressure led to openside Ellis Lloyd pouncing for another score to put the visitors 17-0 after only 12 minutes!.
The Ospreys finally got a foothold in the game with the workload of second row Ciaron Ruddock and flanker Sam Williams to the fore. However, inaccuracies at the breakdown and some poor decision making ensured no impact on the scoreboard for the Ospreys. Despite some creative endevour from both sides some basic mistakes ensured a lack of continuity to the game, although the Ospreys began to keep ball far more effectively and just before the half were rewarded with a driving try for hooker Dean Ronan; 17-7 to the Scarlets at half time.
The second half saw the Ospreys with their tails up and put the Scarlets under immediate pressure with centre Rhys Roberts to the fore. However, they couldn't turn pressure into points and Etteridge and Newton continued to punish Osprey failings. As a result, the home side got gradually more frustrated as the half went on and, eventually, scrum half Tavis Knoyle was deservedly sin binned for retaliation. The Scarlets couldn't capitalise on the numerical advantage but as time passed it was getting harder and harder for the Ospreys to seize the initiative. With the game moving into added time, further frustration saw outside half Matthew Jarvis also binned for a late challenge. In the final minutes with the Ospreys trying to loosen the play a speculative kick gave the Scarlets an opportunity to gather and fine interplay saw a great final try under the posts for a deserved 24-7 away victory.
Also, on Wednesday evening the U18's were in action at Llandarcy and battled to a 10-10 draw with the Scarlets after trailing at half time. Openside Mike Sully scored a smart try, converted by fullback Tom Prydie who added a penalty.