Eli Walker: Scored Ospreys' first try
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The Ospreys stayed in contention for a PRO12 play-off berth after beating the Dragons 14-3 at Rodney Parade on Monday.
Eli Walker's converted try gave the away team an early lead before Tom Prydie hit back for the Dragons with a penalty.
But after controlling much of the second period, it was the Ospreys that sealed the victory through Ashley Beck's touchdown which moved them up to fifth in the table.
Looking to build on their dominant 32-3 success over the Llanelli-based Scarlets on Boxing Day, the visitors got off to the perfect start, going 7-0 up inside four minutes.
Good hands sent Walker away down the left wing, and although the youngster still had plenty to do, he finished impressively in the corner, Biggar converting.
However, the Dragons weren't allowing the Ospreys to dominate the contact area and duly hit back when Prydie converted a penalty opportunity.
The rest of the half remained scrappy with the away side proving the most dangerous with ball in hand, but they couldn't capitalise and the match remained finely poised at the break.
Although Steve Tandy's men controlled the early stages of the second period, they found it difficult to break down stubborn Dragons defence.
But their pressure eventually paid off when Lewis Robling was charged down and Beck had the simple task of collecting the ball and touching down under the posts.
Both teams pressed late on and had chances to score but it was the visitors that took the spoils.
The scorers:
For Dragons:
Pen: Prydie
For Ospreys:
Tries: Walker, Beck
Cons: Biggar 2
Dragons: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Will Harries, 13 Pat Leach, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Lewis Robling, 9 Jonathan Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Nic Cudd, 6 Lewis Evans (capt), 5 Rob Sidoli, 4 Andrew Coombs, 3 Dan Way, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Phil Price.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Gustafson, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Nathan Buck, 19 Adam Jones, 20 Tom Brown, 21 Wayne Evans, 22 Steffan Jones, 23 Jack Dixon.
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Ross Jones, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i (capt), 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 James King, 4 Lloyd Peers, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Jonathan Thomas, 20 Morgan Allen, 21 Rhys Webb/Tom Habberfield, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Ashley Beck.
Referee: Nigel Owens
Comments
melkdave says...
Have to agree ,it was a pretty dower game,but then i expect both sets of players and officials would rather have been with their families and freinds,on new years eve.Why a match was even schedualed for that day is beyond me tbh,as it means players and officials having even less time with family ect over the holiday period ,given training concerns ect.Think leagues missed a trick myself,in having the perfect excuse to rest players for 10 days ,so they comeback relaxed ,happy and ,fit raring to get stuck in,just my opinion though lol.
Posted 14:37 02nd January 2013
makemehappy says...
@passtheball - I don't think they aren't fit, though I do agree entirely that they don't play to the spirit of the game quite often. Sadly the ability to play to the spirit has been diminished due to mandatory penalties for high tackle (even a finger tip on the shoulder) and for tackling someone in the air (even when the person clearly jumps at the last second, without any need, simply to win a penalty) etc.
I can guarantee you that this NH supporter hates pedantic idiots refereeing, and I think in all fairness so do the supporters generally. Can't see what you can use to support your theory of them liking it. I do agree that many commentators seem to enjoy their application and interpretation of the rules however.
Posted 14:35 01st January 2013
passtheball says...
makemehappy - To me, NH refs seem intent on dominating the games instead of attending to the spirit of the game. Most look unfit and the way they blast on the whistle and with such irritating frequency (about every 2mins or less!) gives the impression they think they are the most important person on the park. Still NH spectators seem to like it with all the shots at goal, the seeming lack of continuity, and the pedantic application of the rules so they can enjoy it. But for me its just frustrating to watch. We can only hope we see less NH refs in the SH next season.
Posted 09:41 01st January 2013
makemehappy says...
Poor game, fairly won by the Ospreys. A special mention should go to Nigel Owens. His refereeing was clueless, he failed to see numerous offences, had no idea of how to referee the scrum, and most importantly spoke to both sides in a disgraceful manner. When marching the Ospreys 10 yards up field having been asked by Fotuali'i why he'd awarded a penalty (when clearly it should have been a penalty to the Ospreys), was probably the best example! He really does need to move his butt from his backside!
Posted 18:39 31st December 2012