The West Wales Derby was back on Boxing Day and your Ospreys team travelled to Parc y Scarlets looking for our first away win in the fixture in eight years and our first Derby Double in ten... game on!
The first 22 entry went the way of the home team, a penalty allowing them to kick for a lineout. Despite extended pressure on the Ospreys tryline, the boys were able to force a turnover and clear their lines.
Harri Deaves was making himself known early on, with some huge hit flying in from the openside in the yellow scrum cap.
A tense opening with solid defence from both sides meant that the game remained scoreless at the 20-minute mark.
The Ospreys secured a penalty at the scrum near the Scarlets try line, but the home team were able to win the scrum straight after. A solid battle between the packs in the early stages.
Scarlets were the next team to get an opportunity. A tap and go on the Ospreys five proved to be unfruitful as the boys were able to hold the ball up.
Scarlets followed with a mirror image of their previous 22 entry as went for the tap and go, but once again came away with nothing.
Three missed penalties from Ioan Lloyd meant that the score remained level as we went into the break.
HALF TIME – SCARLETS 0, OSPREYS 0.
Scarlets were able to strike first in the second half. Gareth Davies intercepted the ball before running half the pitch to finish. Another kick missed by Lloyd, 5-0 Scarlets.
BUT OSPREYS ANSWERED RIGHT BACK. A succession of Scarlets penalties allowed the Ospreys to keep the pressure on the home side, Reuben Morgan-Williams spotted a gap and finished well. Owen Williams converted and put us into the lead for the first time, 7-5.
The Scarlets score seemed to invigorate the boys. A monster carry from Fender made a gap in the home team’s defence and eventually resulted in a spell of possession near the red zone. A penalty at the scrum meant that the boys came away with 3 points as the boot of Owen Williams made it 10-5.
Owen Williams with the drop goal! With ice in his veins, Ows received the ball in the pocket and put it right between the sticks to make it a two-score game. Ospreys 13, Scarlets 5.
Just as the Ospreys got some breathing space, Owen Watkin was sent to the sin bin and Ioan Lloyd made his first kick of the game to close the gap. 13-8, Ospreys.
With eight minutes to go, Macleod was sent to the bin. 14v14 in crunch time.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! The boys made the pressure count following the penalty and Sam Parry powered over for the score. 18-8, Ospreys.
Scarlets moved their way down the pitch quickly and thought they'd dotted over for a try in the corner through Ben Williams. However, Luke Morgan made a brilliant tackle to deny him!
Lloyd then converted a penalty to bring the Scarlets within 7 points with a minute to go. 18-11, Ospreys.
TRY! As the Scarlets were pushing to attack once again with the clock in the red, Jack Walsh scooped up a loose ball to go over under the post!
FULL TIME – SCARLETS 11, OSPREYS 25.
A stunning third try secures our first victory at Parc y Scarlets in eight years and put the West Wales Derby Double to bed for the first time in ten.
Now, there's a different Derby Double on the mind as we look towards a mighty East v West clash with Cardiff Rugby at the Dunraven Brewery Field on New Year's Day. Tickets are flying out fast and it's set tot be a sell out, so get yours now and be ready to cheer on your Ospreys team!
