Jump to main content
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase

Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase

The Ospreys are the only team Europe’s big three leagues with a perfect record after their 26-3 derby demolition of the Cardiff Blues.

Share this page:

Steve Tandy’s men made it 17 matches unbeaten against their Welsh regional rivals with a dominant display at the Liberty Stadium.

The table-toppers showed their title credentials from the off as Dan Biggar racked up 12 points within 23 minutes before the Blues resolve finally cracked.

Rhys Patchell got the Blues only three points of the first-half before Dan Evans powered over for the hosts’ first try.
Rhys Webb continued his imperious form with a cheeky second-half score to secure the four points and put his side above Glasgow Warriors at the Guinness PRO12 summit.

Lloyd Williams and Kristian Dacey scored two late consolations to give the scoreboard a more respectable look at 80 minutes.

The high-flying Ospreys got off to a ferocious start and were ahead inside two minutes. A destructive carry from Dan Baker and slick hands forced the Blues back into their own 22. A mis-fired line-out handed possession back to the hosts, who won a penalty after Gethin Jenkins failed to roll away. Biggar stepped up to notch his first three points of the afternoon.

The Ospreys’ intensity in attack forced another two penalties which the Wales playmaker converted, before the Blues were dealt a knockout blow. Wales captain Sam Warburton was sent to the sin-bin for entering a ruck at the side and Biggar stepped up to land his fourth three-pointer inside 23 minutes.

The Blues showed they were not dead and buried as Rhys Patchell pegged their lead back with a long-range penalty. But the hosts quickly reasserted their dominance with yet another efficient, intense series of attacks that got them deep into opposition territory.

Alun Wyn Jones was knocked back by some spirited defence before Josh Matevesi made a half break. Steve Tandy’s men swiftly recycled the ball before it found it’s way to Evans, who powered through Alex Cuthbert and Geraint Walsh on his way to the line, Biggar converted and the score remained 19-3 at the break.

The Ospreys were not finished there. They set up camp 40 metres from the Blues line and Biggar found Jeff Hassler at full-tilt, the Canadian cut through the line to set-up another wave of attack.

The ball found it’s way back into the hands of the winger who was stopped just short, but Webb caught the last-ditch defence dreaming and dotted down to claim his fifth try of the season. Lloyd Williams and Kristian Dacey claimed late consolation scores to take the final score to 26-15.

 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Heineken
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
The Indigo Group
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Princes Gate
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
Red-hot Ospreys dominate derby showcase