Ospreys v Scarlets
EPCR Challenge Cup
Swansea.com Stadium
11 January 2025
It was an Anglo-Welsh clash in Europe for our first home game of 2025. With qualification heating up, Ospreys came away with a crucial bonus point to put themselves in contention for knockout European rugby.
The first points of the game went to the away side. With a penalty advantage in the Ospreys 22, Newcastle played a smart chip over the top which was recovered by Louis Brown. Wilkinson converted. Ospreys 0 - 7 Newcastle.
CAIS FOR OSPREYS! The backs worked the ball out to Keelan Giles, who dinked it behind the defensive link with a deft touch. Jack Walsh recovered superbly and slid over the line for the score. Dan Eds converted a tough kick to bring the scores level. Ospreys 7 - 7 Newcastle.
The Ospreys scrum was causing some real issues for Newcastle, forcing them to get the ball out instantly on their own scrum and conceding penalties on Ospreys ball.
A Newcastle penalty near the sticks saw them regain in the first twenty minutes, thanks to the boot of Wilkinson. Ospreys 7 - 10 Newcastle.
The boys were playing some expansive rugby in attack , but the away side were organised in the defensive line. A particular highlight saw Will Spencer break down the right wing in a canter: one for the 'big man running brigade' to appreciate.
CAIS FOR OSPREYS! The boys went back to basics as Dan Eds kicked for the corner off a penalty. Sam Parry took the ball at the back of the maul and the pack did the rest. Dan Eds converted superbly from near the right touchline. Ospreys 14 - 10 Newcastle.
CAIS FOR OSPREYS! A show-and-go from Reuben Morgan-Williams put Newcastle on the back foot. The backs took full advantage as the ball was shipped out to Postman Dan aka Kasende, who duly delivered. Dan Edwards was getting the job done off the tee, with another quality kick near the right touchline. Ospreys 21 - 10 Newcastle.
With half time approaching, the Ospreys saw a man sent to the bin after a lengthy TMO check confirmed a high hit
HALF TIME: Ospreys 21 - 10 Newcastle.
The Ospreys started the second half with 14 men, and there was a lull in the action as they battended down the defensive hatches. But the backs still looked dangerous with ball in hand, producing some sharp moves that looked straight off the training field.
BOSH! As the ball broke to Evardi Boshoff following another move from the backs, the South African unleashed a monstrous fend which sat down a Falcons defender. James Ratti was also carrying hard, blowing Newcastle defenders out of his path.
CAIS PWYNT BONWS! The backs worked the ball wide off a maul and Jack Walsh got it in hand before beating his man to score the Ospreys’ 4th try of the game. Dan Edwards once again converted. Ospreys 28 - 10 Newcastle.
CAIS FOR OSPREYS! Top notch hands from the backs (and honorary back, Justin Tipuric) near the touchline opened up a gap on the right for Postman Dan who popped it inside to Kieran Hardy to finish under the posts. Dan Eds continued his 100% record off the tee to convert. Ospreys 35 - 10 Newcastle.
Soon after it looked like Hardy was in for second, but the TMO confirmed a forward pass earlier in the move and it was struck off.
Newcastle spent the final five minutes putting pressure on the Ospreys 22, and Max Pepper was able to come way with a consolatory second try for the away team. The conversion was missed. Ospreys 35 - 15 Newcastle.
Five points in the bag, and onwards to our final pool game against Pau next Saturday.