The New Year's Day Derby in Cardiff ended in a tie, with a hearty 14 man Ospreys team pushing it right to the final play of the game.
Cardiff got off to the strongest start at the Arms Park and were rewarded for their early pressure, with a James Botham try off a rolling maul. Sheedy missed the resulting conversion, which left the home team with a 5-0 lead as we passed the 5-minute mark.
It looked like the home side were going to add their tally soon after, but a big defensive stop on a rolling maul gave the Ospreys the ball, and the pack won a penalty which allowed them them to clear their lines.
With 15 minutes approaching, another dominant Ospreys scrum opened up a gap for Reubs to break through, he offloaded to Dan Eds, and it looked like the boys were going to score their first try but the ball was knocked on over the line a few phases later.
After Cardiff’s second close moment, opportunities were plentiful for the Ospreys, but the boysjust lacked the finish to get the ball over the line.
It looked like the Ospreys had finally scored after Keith ran a superb line through and found a pass to Reubs who finished superbly. TMO intervened though and brought it back for a knock on in the ruck.
The Ospreys were able to knock though a penalty not long after though thanks to the boot of Dan Eds. Cardiff 5, Ospreys 3 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Despite controlling the first half, the Ospreys were reduced to 14 for a neck roll at the ruck with a minute to go in the first half.
Despite controlling the first half, the Ospreys were reduced to 14 for a neck roll at the ruck with a minute to go in the first half. Cardiff almost made instant use of the extra man, with an extended spell of pressure near the Ospreys line but a big defensive stop kept the score at 5-3.
HALF TIME - CARDIFF 5, OSPREYS 3.
The Ospreys were more than in the game in the second half, responding well to the dismissal and staying in the game. With less that 10 minutes played in the second half, Cardiff were reduced to 14 after Teddy Williams was deemed to have infringed at the ruck.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! A penalty advantage gave the Ospreys the opportunity to go out wide but some silky feet from Dan Eds broke through the Cardiff line and he went over for the score. Conversion successful, Ospreys 10-5.
Cardiff answered right back with a score of their own after going to the maul again. Sheedy missed the conversion to keep the scores level, 10-10.
With 20 minutes to go, Teddy Williams returned to the field in what had been an extremely even played second half.
The cagey encounter continued as Cardiff saw another man sent to the bin following a scrum. Dan Eds put the resulting penalty through the post to give the Ospreys the lead. 13-10.
Cardiff answered back instantly after the restart, winning a penalty at the ruck and slotting it through the bring the scores level again. 13-13 with less than 10 to go.
Cardiff were looking to play but a monstrous hit from Morgan Morse in the midfield saw the ball turned over and the boys imposed themselves on the final 5 minutes of the game.
The boys looked to have crossed the try line twice, with both chalked off by the TMO. A frantic end to the game with neither side landing the killer punch. The game ended as Cardiff were tackled in to touch, leaving the scores at 13 apiece, with Ospreys coming away from Cardiff with two league points.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF 13 - 13 OSPREYS
Next up, we're back in European action as the Newcastle Falcons visit the Swansea.com Stadium and kids for a quid returns.
