Ospreys v Dragons
Unites Rugby Championship
Swansea.com Stadium
26th April 2025
A final home game of the 24/25 season saw Ospreys score 9 tries as they dispatched Dragons. It was a masterclass from from 1 - 23 as Ospreys started steady and then pulled away in the second half to score nine tries.
Ospreys controlled the battle for possession and territory in the opening five minutes, but some good defensive sets from the Dragons meant that the game remained scoreless. The visitors began to grow in confidence after keeping the boys out, earning some possession of their own in a tense opening passage.
Accompanying the Dragons spell of possession were some monstrous defensive hits from the Ospreys, the standout being a perfectly timed dump tackle from Morgan Morse that sent the ball carrier backwards before he was eventually greeted by the ground.
The opening points of the game went to Dragons as a well-placed penalty from Angus O'Brien gave the away team a 3-0 lead as the 20-minute mark approached. Ospreys 0 - 3 Dragons.
The first try of the game also went to the visitors, Harry Rees-Weldon the profiteer of a well worked move on 23 minutes. O’Brien converted, putting the guests ahead. Ospreys 0 - 10 Dragons.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Kieran Hardy saw a gap and sniped his way through. The offload found Keiran Williams, who was brought down just short of the line. Will Spencer received quick ball off the ruck and powered his way through under the posts. Dan Eds converted. Ospreys 7 - 10 Dragons.
The Dragons looked to answer back almost instantly after the Ospreys score, but a huge turnover from Jac Morgan near the try line allowed the Ospreys to clear their lines. Dewi Lake soon backed that up with another big turnover that once again killed the Dragons' momentum.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! A few consecutive Dragons penalties gave the boys a lineout on the five metres. The boys went to the maul, and as the saying goes, the rest was history. Dewi Lake got the score, converted by Dan Eds. Ospreys 14 - 10 Dragons.
The boys were growing in confidence and the right boot of Dan Eds was putting the Dragons back three under some real pressure, his pinpoint accuracy often keeping them guessing and killing any hope of a running return.
HALF TIME: Ospreys 14 - 10 Dragons.
The Ospreys came out with a point to prove in the second half as the backs began to put on a show and found themselves dicing through the Dragons defence.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The pack went to the reliable rolling maul from the lineout, and Ben Warren crashed over for the score . Dan Eds converted. Ospreys 21 - 10 Dragons.
Do you know who's really good at rugby? Morgan Morse. The number eight made a phenomenal break from deep in the Dragons 22, sprinting the length of the pitch and bouncing off defenders for fun. He threw the offload, but it was one too many as the ball went loose. Dragons recovered and cleared their lines, now at the opposite end of the pitch.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The boys were not resting on their laurels! Soon after Morsey’s break the Ospreys stole the Dragons lineout and shipped the ball to Keelan, who put in a vicious ‘don’t argue’ on Rhodri Jones before running under the sticks for the score. Dan Eds converted. Ospreys 28 - 10 Dragons.
The Dragons were not going down without a fight, though. With possession near the Ospreys line, Rhodri Williams sniped through a gap to finish well for their second try. O’Brien converted. Ospreys 28 - 17 Dragons.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The postman recovered the kickoff which put the visitors on an instant backfoot. Dan Eds spotted a gap soon after and took his opportunity to score the Ospreys’ 5th try of the game. Conversion missed. Ospreys 33 - 10 Dragons
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! Evardi stepped a Dragons defender before running half of the length of the pitch and handing it off to his support runner, Dan Eds, who scored his second in quick succession. Dan converted a tough kick from wide right to add to his points tally for the afternoon. Ospreys 40 - 17 Dragons.
A special mention had to go to the postman for his performance in the air throughout the game. Imperious under the high ball as always!
Dragons were able to score third try of the game with just over 15 minutes remaining, with Jared Rosser getting the try after a strong spell in Ospreys territory. Try converted. Ospreys 40- 24 Dragons.
Dragons made a strong break down the wing and it looked like a bonus point try was sure, but a massive try stopping hit from Iestyn Hopkins sent the Dragons player into touch. Cool as ice from Cochyn!
At 70 minutes, Dan Lydiate left the pitch for the final time in his career and was treated to a standing ovation from the Ospreys crowd who fondly remembered his many legendary performances in an Ospreys shirt. Diolch, Dan!
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! It wasn't over there, as Kieran Hardy made a fantastic individual break and darted over for the seventh try. Ospreys 47- 24 Dragons.
The game was firmly in the bag, but the boys didn't take their foot of the gas and were hungry until the very end.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! It was non-stop running rugby as Keelan Giles side-stepped left and right to crash over the line for try number eight. Ospreys 52 - 24 Dragons.
And finally, to finish... TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The ball went through the hands of the backs in imperious fashion, and it was substitute Reuben Morgan-Williams who found himself on the end to finish for the final score. Conversion missed. Ospreys 57 - 24 Dragons.
FULL TIME: Ospreys 57- 24 Dragons.
A fantastic performance for a last home game of the 24/25 season. Now the boys go to South Africa with their heads held high looking to end the season on a high...
