Ospreys snatch derby victory against the Dragons

Ospreys try scorers: Reuben Morgan-Williams, Lewis Lloyd, Keelan Giles

Welsh Derbies don't come tenser than that. It was a back-and-forth tussle at the Electric Brewery Field in a game that came right down to the wire. 

Ospreys outscored the visitors three tries to one, snatching victory in the final seconds through Keelan Giles' 50th try in the black jersey. 

The first opportunity of the game went to the Ospreys. A penalty gave the boys a lineout, but solid maul defence from the Dragons forced a turnover.

Opportunities were few and far between for the next 10 minutes. Ospreys enjoyed the majority of possession, but in the middle third of the pitch.

With the 15-minute mark approaching, it was Dragons turn to apply pressure with a 5 metre lineout of their own. The maul was seemingly going nowhere and they eventually went wide to the backs, Ospreys turning it over a few phases later.

The visitors scored on their next trip into the 22. Dragons went wide to the backs and a smart cut from de Beer saw him cross for the finish. Angus O’Brien converted. Ospreys 0 - 7 Dragons.

BIG HIT! A Dragons player weaved inside only to walk right into the path of Ross Moriarity who put in a monstrous textbook tackle.

With just under half hour played, the Dragons found themselves on the right side of the penalty count and were winning the battles for territory and possession as a result. Our redzone defence was relentless though, and they were unable to prosper.

TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The pack marched down the field with carry after carry making ground. Eventually the Dragons defence tired and Reubs sniped down the side of a ruck to finish under the posts. Jack Walsh converted. Ospreys 7 - 7 Dragons.

Iestyn Hopkins was putting in a monumental performance in the first half, winning any aerial ball that was remotely challengeable and sweeping up any Dragons kicks in the backfield.

TRY SAVING TACKLE! With Rio Dyer looking bound for the score on the left touchline, Keelan put in a huge hit to deny him and sent him into touch.
 

HALF TIME: OSPREYS 7 - 7 DRAGONS. 

The Dragons were the first team to put points on the board in the second half as a well struck penalty from Angus O’Brien gave the visitors a three-point lead. Ospreys 7 - 10 Dragons.

After the penalty, Ospreys took a few trips into the Dragons 22 but the visitors continued to stand firm and held us out. 

We had the majority of the posession in the third quarter, but the Dragons were able to extend their lead through another Angus O’Brien penalty. Ospreys 7 - 13 Dragons.

Ospreys came within touching distance of the tryline time after time, but the Dragons defensive line was solid and held us out. The boys were doing everything but scoring.

With under 10 minutes remaining, Dragons were reduced to 14 after a high tackle on Harri Houston. The intesity upped as the crowd got behind the boys, who knew they needed to make the advantage count. 

TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Take advantage they did! The maul rumbled towards the Dragons tryline and forced Lewis Lloyd over for the score in the corner. A tight conversion was just wide from Walsh and Dragons kept a slender lead. Ospreys 12 - 13 Dragons.

It was all to play for in the final minutes. Dragons were unable to contest a scrum due to the yellow card and so were reduced to 13. With gaps appearing in their previous unbreachable defensive line, it was our time to strike. 

The backs were firing! Jack Walsh whipped it out to Max Nagy in midfield who fed Keelan...  Keelan did what Keelan does and dove over to score his 50th Ospreys try to seal the win. What a finish! Jack Walsh nailed the conversion, and it was all done at the Brewery. Ospreys 12 - 13 Dragons.