Ospreys clinched victory at the death with a Luke Scully try against Exeter Chiefs in Devon today. Ryan Conbeer also scored in the first half to see Ospreys beat the hosts 14 - 10.
The opening five minutes of the game were a battle for territory, with both teams opting to use the boot on multiple occasions.
Exeter were committing a lot of men to the rucks in the early stages in an attempt to upset the Ospreys’ breakdown, but it was to no avail. With 10 minutes played, the game remained scoreless.
As we passed the 15-minute mark, Exeter were able to put the first points on the board through a Josh Hodge penalty. 3 - 0 to the home side.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! The Exeter winger tried to make a defensive read but was beaten by the fast hands of Dan Edwards. The ball found its way to Conbeer on the wing who finished clinically. Special mention to Keith from Neath (Keiran Williams) whose big hit forced the turnover. Dan Edwards converted, 7 - 3.
Exeter continued to persevere with the boot in the first half but the Ospreys’ organised defence was more than able to deal with it. The boys were putting in a big defensive shift and some big tackles from the boys in black were forcing a few handling errors from the Exeter ballcarriers, with Jac Morgan and Tristan Davies amongst the highlights of hits.
Every time Jac Morgan hit a pink jersey in the first half, the ball either bobbled out or came completely loose. The Exeter captain, Jacques Vermuelen was amongst the many victims of a colossal Jac hit.
A strong first half showing from the Ospreys, and they headed into the break with the lead.
HALF TIME - EXETER 3, OSPREYS 7.
The second half continued as the first half left off, with Exeter trying to impose themselves on the Ospreys through their pack.
Five minutes into the second half, Exeter were able to score their first try of the game. A kick over the top caused problems for the Ospreys and Brown-Bampoe went over for the line. Try converted, 10 - 7 Exeter.
Ospreys went close not long after: a well-worked move from the backs resulted in Max Nagy breaking through into the Exeter 22, but a scrambling defender broke up the last pass to deny the Ospreys their second score.
With 20 minutes to go, the boys continued to persist in attack. The best opportunity came off a rolling maul that did some damage, before the Exeter pack was finally able to bring it to a halt. The following phases opened up some half chances, but the home team defence were able to keep the boys out.
The Ospreys had a plethora of youngsters on the field, who were matching the intensity and physicality of the game with aplomb. Iestyn Hopkins did an excellent job of cleaning up any Exeter kicks in behind.
The closing stages saw the young Ospreys have an extended spell of pressure on the Exeter line, asking questions of the Exeter defence. The pressure eventually saw a yellow card for Harvey Skinner.
In the dying seconds, it looked like a score was coming for the boys, with a solid scrum providing a platform for the backs to do something, but a gamble from an Exeter defender broke it up.
OSPREYS NICK IT AT THE DEATH! Deavesy came away with the ball from an Exeter scrum and a smart pass from Luke Davies at the ruck saw Luke Scully go under the posts for the win the match. Jack Walsh converted and the Ospreys were able to come away with a big win in their last pre-season game.
FULL TIME - EXETER 10, OSPREYS 12.
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