Ospreys 17 - 12 Cardiff Blues

First topic message reminder :

For Ospreys:
Try: Bowe
Pen: Morgan 2, Biggar 2

For Cardiff Blues:
Pen: Halfpenny 3
Drop: Parks

Ospreys: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Shane Williams/Hanno Dirksen, 10 Matthew Morgan, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Justin Tipuric (Capt), 6 James King, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Tom Smith, 20 Joe Bearman, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Tom Isaacs.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Gavin Henson, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Ryan Tyrell, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 Marc Breeze, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Ryan Harford ,19 Michael Paterson, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Dan Parks, 23 Harry Robinson.

Referee: Nigel Owens


Ospreys reapplied the pressure on Leinster at the PRO12 summit after defeating Cardiff Blues 17-12 in their Welsh derby clash on Sunday.

Indiscipline from the Blues during the opening exchanges gifted Ospreys an early lead. Matthew Morgan was on target twice with the boot in the first four minutes to give the home side a 6-0 lead.

The Blues rallied, however, and were back on level terms before the end of the first period, courtesy of two accurately struck penalties from Leigh Halfpenny.

Neither side was able to cross the whitewash before the interval or further trouble the scorers, meaning there was nothing between the two Welsh rivals when the whistle blew for half time.

Ospreys crossed the whitewash and delivered the game's first try ten minutes into the second half, when the ball was worked right straight from the scrum and Tommy Bowe crashed over. The conversion was missed but the hosts held an 11-6 lead.

The Blues reduced the deficit to just two points when Halfpenny struck for the third time after Ospreys had infringed at the ruck.

Then, after the home side missed a penalty, Cardiff kicked a drop-goal. The ball was flung from the ruck to the poised Dan Parks, who made no mistake from 20 metres out to give his side the lead.

But the slender advantage was cancelled out on 72 minutes when substitute Dan Biggar slotted over a penalty after Cardiff had infringed at the ruck.

Then, as the Blues desperately searched for a way back in to the game, Biggar cemented the win with a second penalty in the dying seconds.

Yes good to see Henson playing well. He always has so much time on the ball

Fotuahli'i playing quite well tonight, good to see

I wonder if Gav just feels better playing back in Wales...and it's boosted his confidence.

Being completely free of injury is the main thing and game time.

Gees yer man Lalua is a beast... Henson looking good at fullback..

He's giving Sweeney a bit of competition anyway.

Great running game so far... Hopefully see some tries soon..

Evening Cari

Have to agree Bowe hasnt looked interested (seems to be carrying where he left off with the Scarlets game)

Henson went round the young flyhalf like wasnt there, pretty impressed with Gavs mindset and application

flyhalffactory wrote:Evening Cari

Have to agree Bowe hasnt looked interested (seems to be carrying where he left off with the Scarlets game)

Henson went round the young flyhalf like wasnt there, pretty impressed with Gavs mindset and application

Nalvidi turned him inside out

Flyhalf - poor Tommy's not having a good evening at work. he was all over the shop against Navidi there. Come on T - get up!!!!

gowales wrote:Fotuahli'i playing quite well tonight, good to see

He is, bar that last kick...

Would much prefer to see Webb playing though, and I don't think we would lose anything with Webb instead of foutali'i...!

Half time now, 6 all.

Good battle between Tupiric and Navidi. Tips stealing well while Navidi has been explosive making some good breaks.

17 - 9 to glasgow in the Scottish game

Navidi's hair gets on my wick though. He's had the dreds for ages. He looks like a smelly crusty....which I'm sure he's not.

The two Samoans for the Ospreys are poor, Brad Davies and R Jones playing really well, I favour the Blues to win, they seem to be happy to pass where as the Ospreys want to do it as individuals, Shane not playing well. Henson should play centre he is looking too good to be at full back, get him more into the game.

Blues are making stupid errors at the breakdown

Lucky to be 6 - 6 at HT - Still, showing some promise though, hopefully they will have a chance to sort things out at HT.

Henson is playing well.

Blues forwards are carrying well, but quickly run out of support and turn the ball over.

It's funny how there seems to be acres of space in some games.
Enjoyable game so far

Dan parks coming on looks good for the ospreys

Dan Parks on for Sweeney....?

All media eyes on Gavin. They haven't stopped talking about him. No wonder he has to play well...

maestegmafia wrote:17 - 9 to glasgow in the Scottish game

ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH DONT TELL ME!!!!!........... I am stuck in my house with a poorly wife (and we cant get to the match) grrrrrrrrr

Saying that this a good game of rugger

Poor miss by Morgan again

BALLS! BALLS! BALLS!

Navidi has been very impressive since he broke into the first team. well fast and always seems to be in the right place

Sorry mate... They did say the score just now on S4c too but it was in welsh

JT is like a fairy in attack, no go forward, the smallest players knock him back

Tom Isaacs on for Andrew Bishop. Didn't realise he was playing...

Tommy in the corner...!

That's my boy!!! Good karma too - scoring with Navidi getting up his nose.

Morgs misses the conversion. 11 - 6.

Morgan is missing a few kicks at goal unfortunately.

11 - 6

Great game.

Rhys Webb on the pitch now

maestegmafia wrote:Sorry mate... They did say the score just now on S4c too but it was in welsh

Hahahaha its ok Maes (Sob!)

I do like Barry Davies alot at FB, I hope he stays injury free....... he could give Stoddart a run for his money for the Wales 15 spot

Wales have a wealth of talent at 15 all of a sudden

Liam Davies / Stoddart
Barry Davies
1/2p / Henson
Byrne

Phew........ all bloody good players

counter rucking by shane williams. sure he went off his feet though

The blues back three are looking very good

flyhalffactory wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Sorry mate... They did say the score just now on S4c too but it was in welsh

Hahahaha its ok Maes (Sob!)

I do like Barry Davies alot at FB, I hope he stays injury free....... he could give Stoddart a run for his money for the Wales 15 spot

Wales have a wealth of talent at 15 all of a sudden

Liam Davies / Stoddart
Barry Davies
1/2p / Henson
Byrne

Phew........ all bloody good players

Add Martyn Thomas and Priestland too and there are plenty of options.

Benny and Duncan J on.

Ryan Jones has been outstanding inj killing the blues near the line, great play from the blues gone up three gears. This could be a cracker they way it is going.

Matthew Morgan has missed 3 easyish kicks thats 8 points, the forwards will be disappointed in his display as the Os should be 19-6 up now.

No good possessing headlining runs that come to nothing if you cant fish where the fish is

Get a grip Ospreys

Biggar on for Morgs.

Halfpee kicks the penalty 11 - 9.

Ryan jones penalised for offside at the ruck

Halfpenny converts

11 - 9

Biggar on to steady the ship.

Ryan was on his feet winning the ball again but the man in pink sees it different, 3 points to the blues.

Looked to me like Ryan made the tackle but didn't release.

Cari wrote:Biggar on for Morgs.

Halfpee kicks the penalty 11 - 9.

He has a hell of a lot to live up to, Morgan was much better than Biggar has been recently.

glamorganalun wrote:Ryan Jones has been outstanding inj killing the blues near the line, great play from the blues gone up three gears. This could be a cracker they way it is going.

Happy New Year Alun

Agree Ryan has been outstanding in all areas of the game, won clean line out ball, superb around the fringes, and killed any threat around the gain line

To balance is JT has been an awful powder puff pansy (dont tell him I said it tho!!)

Should be a drop goal coming up soon for the O's

Holley has said that Morgs replacement was a tactical one - they need a good goal kicker, and that's fair enough IMO.

Flyhalf:

Happy New Year to you too, totally agree, thanks for the link to the games you sent me, cheers.

It looks as if the Ospreys are doing all they can to lose this game.

maestegmafia wrote:

Cari wrote:Biggar on for Morgs.

Halfpee kicks the penalty 11 - 9.

He has a hell of a lot to live up to, Morgan was much better than Biggar has been recently.

Can't agree with you there mate
Young Morgan has only played well in one facit of the flyhalf role that is in open play, 3 passes went to the wrong player, Bowe certainly had a clear cut chance, ands his lack of awareness is fairly obvious Barry Davies should have been away for 5 pts in the first half, and the worst thing is he cannot convert the points (8pts to date) that his forwards win for him

He is losing you the game rather than winning it

Well Biggar better make a difference then. I think there is some silly substitutions being called tonight.

Now he has a chance.

oh and Biggar misses a kick. Is he also losing the game for us?