Ospreys earn a bonus point away in France, defeating hosts Pau 28 - 31 in the Stade du Hameau, ensuring a home knockout tie in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16. A late try by Luke Davies and converted by Dan Edwards secured the victory.
The Ospreys defence started strong, giving the Pau pack very little on the gainline and putting in some big hits, an early highlight being a textbook tackle from Will Spencer to dislodge the ball from a Pau ball carrier.
As we passed the five minute mark, the first opportunity went to home side. A few carries after a scrum had them close to the Ospreys try line, but some smart defending from the boys meant that the ball was held up.
Pau were able to get first score of the game just afterwards. An offload to Theo Attissogbe opened up a gap for the winger and he was just about able to touch the ball down for the try. Try converted, 7-0 Pau.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Will Spencer broke through the Pau line and got the Ospreys into the redzone. The backs did the rest and got the ball out to Conbeer, who went over in the corner. Dan Eds converted a kick from the left touchline, 7-7.
The Pau pack were struggling with the intensity of the Ospreys defence in the first 20 minutes, rarely breaking the gainline in phase play and quickly opting for the box kick.
Despite a couple of opportunities for the Ospreys in Pau territory, the hosts were able to score the second try. A spell of pressure near the Ospreys opened up an opportunity for Brau-Bourie to dive under the sticks. Try converted, 14-7 Pau.
A strong first half from the Ospreys on all fronts, but the home side went into the break with the lead.
HALF TIME - SECTION PALOISE 14, OSPREYS 7.
The boys came out flying in the second half, putting instant pressure on the Pau defence. With a penalty advantage, Dan Eds whipped the ball out wide to Conbeer but a defender prevented it illegally and was sent to the bin. It wasn't to be long until the next opportunity arose.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! With the pack putting the home defence on the back foot, Kieran Hardy shipped it swiftly down the blindside to Evardi, who finished clinically. Dan Eds put another tough kick through to bring the scores level, 14-14.
The backs were strutting their stuff in the second half, asking constant questions of the Pau defence and looked to be building pressure, particularly once a man up and it didn't take long for the boys to capitalise again.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! The variation in attack proved too much for the 14 men off Pau to deal with, and Jac Morgan was able to snipe over for the score. Conversion missed, 19-14 Ospreys.
After a couple successive penalties conceded at the scrum near the ospreys line, the Pau pack were able to win a penalty try and regain the lead. The scoreboard read 21-19 to the home side with 15 minutes to play.
With another scrum deep into Ospreys territory, Pau went down the blindside and Eliott Roudil was able to score in the corner. Conversion successful, 28-19.
BONUS POINT TRY FOR OSPREYS! The boys patiently went through the phases, waiting for their opportunity. Kasende took one to break through, before offloading to Dan Edwards for the try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, making it 28-24 to Pau going into the 74th minute of the game.
From there, the boys looked resolute, secure in the knowledge of what was at stake: one more try would surely secure the victory, and thus the home Round of 16 knockout tie.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! A darting ruin from Morgan Morse beat a two defenders, before he was able to offload to Garyn Phillips, who put in the final soft pass to Luke Davies who scorched under the posts for what was to be the match-winning try. Conversion successful, 31-28 Ospreys.
Now all that required from the boys was to secure the restart, run down the clock and get the ball off. With focus, the boys executed, securing a home Round of 16 play off for the second-year running.
Details of the Round of 16 will be announced in due course. In the meantime, we can't wait to get back home for Friday's URC Clash with Benetton, where the boys will be looking to carry on their 4 game undefeated streak.
