Ospreys succumb to powerful Benetton side

Benetton enjoyed a strong start to the game and were rewarded with an early try from a rolling maul as Siua Maile crossed the line on 4 minutes. Jacob Umaga added the extras and the Italians were seven up with five minutes gone. Benetton 7 - 0 Ospreys.

The boys almost answered back instantly, as Ryan Conbeer shed a tackler and gave Ross Moriarty an opportunity on the wing, but he was tackled into touch five metres out.

TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! With their next trip to the 22, the Ospreys made Benetton pay. A deceptive lineout move made it look like the Ospreys were going to try their maul, but Deavesy popped the ball to Keiran Williams who came flying through from five metres out, before he powered through a couple of Benetton defenders for a try on the 13th minute. Benetton 7 - 5 Ospreys.

With the 20-minute mark approaching, it looked like Ignacio Mendy had touched the ball down in the right corner, if not for an inch perfect tackle from Iestyn Hopkins that was picked up on the TMO after a check. Benetton were eventually able to score their second try with ten minutes left in the first half. A quick break through from Onisi Ratave eventually resulted in Mendy receiving the ball a few metres out, and he finished well. Umaga converted; Benetton 14 - 5 Ospreys.

It was a tough first half with both sides creating plenty of opportunity, but unable to make the most of their chances.

HALF TIME – BENETTON 14, OSPREYS 5.

TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The boys came out playing with intent at the start of the second half and scored after just 3 minutes. A spell of pressure on the perimeter of the Benetton 22 opened up some space for the backs and Keith (Keiran Williams) was able to go through under the sticks after a string of offloads. Benetton 14 - 12 Ospreys.

Benetton answered right back. Some powerful carries eventually saw Ratave with a half-gap on the left touchline and he was able to power over. Umaga missed the conversion, Benetton 19 - 12 Ospreys.

A few phases later, Ospreys were reduced to 14 after a yellow for a no-wrap tackle. The next phase saw Benetton with possession on the Ospreys try line, but Jac Morgan came up with a huge turnover to relieve the pressure on his return to play for Ospreys. 

The home team would eventually make the most of extra man, after a kick through was recovered by Paolo Odogwu and Ratave was able to go over a few phases later on the 54th minute. Benetton 24 - 12 Ospreys.

With 20 minutes remaining, the game began to open up, with multiple breaks from the Ospreys and a couple from Rhys Henry whose metres carried stat was quickly rising. Ospreys managed to cross out wide after Harri Houston took a lovely ball and popped it inside to Jack Walsh to cross. However, they try was disallowed as Ospreys received a red card for a prior dangerous clear out in the build-up. 

Benetton were next to strike on 66 minutes, after second row Marini made a break in the midfield and offloaded to Jacob Umaga. He dotted down under the posts, and made no mistake with the conversion. Benetton 31 - 12 Ospreys.

With just over ten minutes to go, the boys went close again. Lewis Lloyd, who had a lively cameo from the bench, broke through from halfway and sat Rhyno Smith down, but the offload was fumbled five metres out. Benetton received two cards in the closing period, leaving Ospreys with a man advantage for the final seven minutes.

On the 79th minute, after a period of pressure from the Ospreys, Owen Watkin popped a pass to the man on his inside shoulder, seeing Lukey Dai cross, with Jack Walsh adding the extras. Benetton 31 - 19 Ospreys.

There was time for the restart, but Benetton regathered the ball and were able to clear it for full time. 

FULL TIME: BENETTON 31 - 19 OSPREYS.