Ospreys U16's 14-8 Cardiff Blues (South) U16's
Ospreys U16's 14 - 8 Cardiff Blues (South) U16's
The Young Ospreys Under 16's reignited their quest to win the Regional championship for the fourth successive year with a hard fought 14-8 victory over their counterparts from the Blues (South).
The Ospreys started brightly and put the Blues under pressure for the first 10 minutes resulting in a series of penalties awarded by referee Leighton Hodges; Consequently, outside half Tom Carpenter fired over from 25 metres to land the first blow to the Ospreys, 3-0. The Blues slow start continued and the Ospreys looked hungrier and started to steal opposition lineout ball, from one of these a clean break from Andrew Claypole was taken on through the 22 but a handling error meant the opportunity came to nothing. However, the Ospreys continued to look sharp in the backs with full back Nathan Brooks making an exciting run from underneath his own posts, beating 3 defenders and only a narrow foot into touch prevented him from going the full length.
The Ospreys had further chances from another incision from Claypole and a decisive break from openside Curtis Williams but both came to nothing. The Blues then had their first period of sustained pressure and only last ditch defending held up scrum half Jean-Babtiste Bruzulier over the line. Nevertheless, the home side regrouped and another break led to a second Carpenter penalty for a half time score of 6-0 to the home side.
The Blues started the second half in determined fashion and after 10 minutes carved out an impressive try for fullback Cory Allen who finished in the corner; 6-5. However, the Ospreys replied in impressive fashion and a scrum against the head with good handling behind created a try for Claypole to make it 11-5.
Following this, the Blues started to lose their discipline and fell foul of referee Hodges with 3 yellow cards awarded. Despite the numerical advantage and with sustained pressure the Ospreys weren't able to capitalise apart from a long range Carpenter penalty that provided a 14-5 buffer.
With the Blues back to their full quota of players they came back strongly in the last 10 minutes, although strong defensive resilience ensured that all they could manage was a penalty that gave them a losing point; Final score 14-8 to the Ospreys. A victory that will please coaches David Jones, Paul Yardley and Dan Cottrell with some fine individual performances that will put the group in good spirits for upcoming away fixtures in North Wales and at the Dragons.