Ospreys secure bonus point win over the Lions

There was a last minute venue change, but Ospreys dug deep to put on a convincing performance against Emirates Lions at Parc y Scarlets following a venue change due to storm Darragh.

Four tries and a bonus point in the bag sees our EPCR Challenge Cup campaign get off to a flying start.

The game got off to an physical start with both teams putting in some powerful carries in the early stages.

The Emirates Lions were committing a lot of players to their defensive rucks during the first five minutes in an attempt to disrupt the Ospreys attack, but the pack were doing a good job of holding them off.

The first score of the game went to the away side as a rolling maul off a lineout near the Ospreys line went over and Franco Marais was able to come away with the score. Francis converted. Ospreys 0 - 7 Emirates Lions.

As we approached the 20 minute mark, a well worked move from the backs from a scrum pierced the Emirates Lions’ defensive line and sprung the Ospreys deep into opposition territory. The pressure was too much for the away side: they gave away a penalty and Owen Williams was able to slot it through. Ospreys 3 - 7 Emirates Lions.

The Ospreys backline were producing some real creative quality in the first half, with the set plays proving too much for the Emirates Lions. A spell of pressure on the away line saw one of the Lions player sent to the bin.

TRY FOR OSPREYS! The boys made instant use of the man advantage and skipper Jac Morgan was able to power over for the score. Owen Williams converted. Ospreys 10 - 7 Emirates Lions.

The Ospreys added to their tally soon after as another successful kick from Owen continued his 100% start to the afternoon. Ospreys 13 - 7 Emirates Lions.

HALF TIME: Ospreys 13 - 7 Emirates Lions

TRY FOR OSPREYS! The Ospreys came out flying in the second half and put instant pressure on the Emirates Lions. A penalty advantage gave the backs the freedom to go out wide and Keelan beat his man before he finished clinically in the corner. Owen missed the tough conversion out wide with the wind against him. Ospreys 18 - 7 Emirates Lions.

TRY FOR OSPREYS! Kieran Hardy reads a Lions attacker well before intercepting and running the length of the field for his first try for the Ospreys (but of course, not his first at Parc y Scarlets.) Ospreys 25 - 7 Emirates Lions.

As the second half progressed, the Ospreys began to look more and more in control. Jack Walsh was cleaning up any ball that found its way past the defensive line and was looking just as dangerous in attack.

With less than 20 to go, it looked like Captain Jac had scored his second and the Ospreys BP try after the ball appeared to be out of the ruck and Jac made a cheeky steal. But, a lengthy TMO check ultimately came to the conclusion that the ball hadn’t left the breakdown. 

Emirates Lions had struggled to make an impact in the second half, but were looking dangerous with ten minutes to go. Pressure on the Ospreys line saw the ball go through the hands for Erich Cronje to finish the try. Ospreys 25 - 14 Emirates Lions.

TRY FOR OSPREYS! but it was the Ospreys who had the final say as Dan Edwards swept past multiple defenders to go over in the corner for the bonus point try. With the wind against him, Owen Williams was just short on a tough conversion. Ospreys 30 - 14 Emirates Lions.
 

FULL TIME: Ospreys 30 - 14 Emirates Lions