DRAGONS 31 – 38 OSPREYS
The Ospreys had to come from behind three times before finally ending the Dragons’ unbeaten start to the BKT United Rugby Championship and win their first game of the season at Rodney Parade.
In the end, though, Mark Jones’ men were able to hit their Welsh regional rivals with six tries as they hit back from being 7-0, 14-12, 21-19 and 28-26 behind in a highly entertaining, end to end contest.
Having only picked up one point from their two games in South Africa against the Sharks and Lions the Ospreys knew they needed to get back to winning ways in their first Welsh derby of the season. Jones picked his strongest team of the campaign and they just about coped with the high intensity approach of the buoyant home side.
The Dragons drew first blood with the first of two tries from Wales hooker Elliot Dee which Tinus de Beer improved. Back came the Ospreys with a driving maul try of their own from Ross Moriarty and Dan Edwards’ conversion levelled things up.
A brilliant pick up and run from Liam Wright then paved the way for Keelan Giles to score and the visitors were up 12-7. A penalty try on the stroke of half-time, which included a yellow card for Moriarty, ensured the Dragons changed ends with their noses in front at 14-12.
Opposing hookers Sam Parry and Dee then swapped maul tries, both of which were converted, and at 50 minutes the Dragons led once again 21-19. The sixth maul try of the game from Parry then edged the Ospreys back in front – Edwards’ touchline conversion making it 26-21.
Tongan international Anzelo Tuitavuki was next on the scoresheet as he raced to the posts, and De Beer’s conversion made it 28-26 to get the sell-out crowd roaring their approval. The game was still there to be won by either side in the final quarter, but it was the Ospreys who came good.
Two tries from No 8 Morgan Morris, one converted by Edwards, finally tipped the scales in favour of the visitors, although a penalty with the final kick of the game by Angus O’Brien at least earned the Dragons two points.