In a bid to keep their unbeaten start to the season intact the Ospreys U18’s travelled to Llandovery RFC last night to face the Scarlets U18’s who were fresh off a 33-3 victory over RGC on Sunday.
- A superb try from Will Barraclough and a nicely slotted conversion from Cai Evans helped the Ospreys U18s to earn the draw on a wet and very Tuesday evening
- Picking up two points from a draw the Ospreys remain top of the Regional Age-grade Championship Table
Despite playing their third game in less than seven days, the Scarlets looked far from tired as play got underway at a very muddy Church Bank. Dominating the early stages of the game, the Scarlets secured a great scrum after an Ospreys kick hurtled straight out from the start pushing the Ospreys back into their 22 with just two minutes on the clock.
The Ospreys defence held up well in very slippery conditions, with strong tackles keeping the Scarlets at bay. With a penalty going against the Ospreys, the Scarlets looked to take quick advantage, only for a quick tap and go to fall straight out of the young Scarlets hands as he crossed the line.
Although the young Ospreys were unable to venture into the Scarlets half, they returned their host’s hospitality by denying them any points, even though the hosts had most of the opening stages deep inside opposition territory.
With twenty minutes on the clock some good pressure from the Scarlets pack and a powerful drive saw prop Rhys Davies crash over the line for the first points of the game. Centre Scott Lloyd added the conversion to put the hosts ahead at 7-0.
With momentum behind them, the Scarlets looked to build on their hard work, but their efforts were in vain as the Ospreys defence proved too strong.
A quick kick to the corner from the hosts was just too long and out of Scarlets wing Aled Rees’ reach, denying the hosts the chance to extend their lead going in at half time.
Half Time – Scarlets U18’s 7 - 0 Ospreys U18’s
Coming out for the second half, the young Ospreys looked to strike early on and they had their chance when a penalty against the boys in red allowed the Ospreys a penalty kick to touch.
With a line out just inside the Scarlets 22, quick work from the forwards and an offload to Will Barraclough saw the number 8 rip through the defensive line, shrugging off two tackles to power over the try line for the Ospreys first points of the game.
Cai Evans’ conversion leveled the scores at 7-7 with just five minutes of the second half played.
With the conditions becoming more like a mudbath by the minute both teams did well to keep hold of the ball which appeared more like a bar of soap as the second half continued.
However, the Scarlets did create some real momentum, carrying deep into the Ospreys 22 and working their way through at least 20 phases! The Ospreys defence held up well denying their hosts any chance, eventually forcing a knock-on, allowing them to clear.
The Ospreysthen had a chance to go ahead with five minutes left on the clock. A Cai Evans penalty hitting the crossbar to leave the Scarlets with the opportunity to counter-attack.
And attack they did, coming back strong into the Ospreys half earning a penalty on the halfway line where they opted for touch rather than the posts. With a line out secured as the clock turned red, the Scarlets looked fired up, but the Ospreys defence yet again proved too much as it had for the majority of the game. The ball was eventually knocked forward allowing the referee to blow for full time, the game ending in a draw.
The Eyasses will resume their season in a fortnight’s time where they host the Dragons U18’s at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field on Tuesday 14th February K.O 7:15pm
