The Ospreys will host a Guinness PRO14 clash at Morganstone Brewery Field for the first time this Friday night, when they welcome Connacht to the home of Bridgend Ravens (KO 8.05pm).
It will be an historic first for the Ospreys at the venue as, despite having hosted fixtures across the region previously including 10 visits to Bridgend, it is the first home Championship fixture they have played away from the Liberty Stadium since a 23-16 win over Ulster at St Helen’s in April 2005.
It’s the 11th time that the Ravens have hosted the Ospreys since a game was first taken to Bridgend in 2010 when Leicester Tigers were thumped 46-13 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Since then, the local support have been treated to some enthralling contests, in that competition and in pre-season games, with the Region’s current record in the competition at the venue standing at five wins and five losses.
Tickets for the game are priced at £10 (adults) and £5 (U16s) and as well as the usual outlets, you can now purchase from Morganstone Brewery Field and at Halo Leisure venues across Bridgend.
Ospreys at Morganstone Brewery Field – the history
Leicester Tigers W 46-13 - 12th November 2010
The Ospreys ran in eight tries on their way to a resounding win on a historic night at a rainsoaked Riverside Hardware Brewery Field.
They were 29-10 ahead at the break, following touchdowns from Kristian Phillips, Matthew Morgan, Richard Fussell, Ashley Beck and Rhys Webb, and they made sure of the victory with three more after the break, Phillips getting his second before a late try by Sonny Parker and a penalty try in the last minute put the icing on the cake.
Wasps W 18-13 – 6th February 2011
Four penalties from Dai Flanagan, plus a penalty and drop goal from Dan Biggar was enough to overcome a strong challenge from an experienced London Wasps team who scored two tries,from Mark Van Gisbergen and Tom Varndell, but it was a deserved win for a team who led from the fourth minute.
Northampton Saints L 22-32 – 22nd October 2011
A young Ospreys team put up a brave fight against a Northampton Saints outfit that was almost full strength, but were ultimately left empty handed despite their efforts.
An interception try from one of the old-heads, Sonny Parker, had ensured the Ospreys went in at the break with a nine point lead despite twice being reduced to 14 men, but ultimately it was the Saints strength in depth that proved the difference as they managed to survive a difficult night to secure a hard earned win.
Man-of-the-match Matthew Morgan kicked 17 points as he returned to his hometown ground, one of a number of youngsters to catch the eye in an entertaining and physical affair.
NG Dragons W 26-21 – 27th January 2012
The Ospreys ran in four tries as they secured the win in the first Welsh regional derby to be held in Bridgend since 2004.
It was all square at 14-all at the break, despite a flying start from the Ospreys that saw early scores for Ross Jones and Hanno Dirksen.
Second half touchdowns from Eli Walker and debutant Stefan Watermeyer took the game away from the Dragons, whose second try of the night with time up added polish to the scoreline.
Harlequins L 12-16 – 3rd February 2013
High flying Harlequins came to Bridgend on the back of a remarkable run that had seen them qualifying for the knockouts in both the Heineken and LV= Cups as top seeds, as well as sitting at the top of the Aviva Premiership as they looked to defend the title they won at Twickenham nine months earlier.
The Quins grabbed the only try of the game, as all the Ospreys points came from the boot of Matthew Morgan, the Region pushing the visitors all the way in a game they only secured in the final minute.
Sale Sharks W 37-36 – 31st January 2014
A last minute touchline conversion from Sam Davies completed an impressive comeback for the Ospreys.
Aisea Natoga scored the injury time try to set up Davies, as he recorded a hat-trick of touchdowns - as did fellow Pacific Islander, Viliami Fihaki, for Sale. Dan Baker also touched down for the Ospreys as they secured a bonus point win, overturning a 16 point second half deficit in the process. In total, Davies kicked 17 points for the Ospreys, while Mike Haley and Charlie Ingall also touched down for Sale.
NG Dragons L 35-51 – 14th November 2014
The Ospreys scored five tries after the break but still came off second best on an incredible night of LV= Cup rugby.
The hosts had been completely blown away in the first 40 as the Dragons racked up a point a minute, the youthful Ospreys pack unable to cope with an older, more physical and more experienced Dragons eight. They ran in five tries in the first half and added a sixth seven minutes after the restart, a second for Cory Hill, as they lead 48-0.
As the coaches emptied the benches, a remarkable second half saw scores from Hanno Dirksen, Dafydd Howells, Cai Griffiths, Aisea Natoga and a penalty try, along with 10 points from Sam Davies, reduce the deficit.
Bristol W 20-14 – 28th January 2017
In the last competitive fixture played by the Ospreys in Bridgend, they led from the first minute, thanks to a Dafydd Howells try, through to the 72nd, when Bristol edged in front for the first time, by a solitary point.
However, the Ospreys were not to be denied, going back up the other end and clinching the win, Sam Underhill with a late try. Luke Price kicked 10 points to help the team record their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions.
Leicester Tigers L 14-21 – 11th August 2017
The Ospreys were outscored three tries to two at a very wet Brewery Field, conditions more akin to a midwinter evening than a pre-season fixture.
It was Leicester who raced out of the blocks to take an early 14 point lead, tries from Jonah Holmes and Harry Thacker both converted by Joe Ford. However, the Ospreys hit back and it was all square at the break as the Bakers, Jay and Dan, both scored, converted by Luke Price.
There was just the one score in the second half as the Tigers took advantage of a Rowan Jenkins yellow card, Jake Kerr touching down, Ford with the extras.
Northampton Saints L 13-26 11th August 2018
The most recent Ospreys match to be played in Bridgend was just two months ago.
Two penalties from Sam Davies gave the Ospreys an early lead but the Saints hit back and scored four unanswered tries either side of the break to go 20 points clear.
Ifan Phillips scored a try late on, James Hook with the extras, but there was no way back.
