A last-gasp Shane Williams try helped Ospreys to a 31-12 victory over the Dragons and kept his team on course for a home play-off spot.
It what may be his last appearance at home before retiring at the end if the season, it was fitting that Shane Williams led the Ospreys out for this Welsh derby, and scored what could be a crucial try right at the end of the game.
Despite a ferocious start by the Ospreys two Lewis Robling's penalties gave the visiting side the lead.
The Ospreys pressure did eventually pay off when a Ryan Jones try and a Dan Biggar penalty took them into a 10-6 lead.
Only a dogged Dragons defence was preventing a fluid Ospreys side from extending that lead with try saving tackles from Aled Brew and teenager Hallam Amos reinforcing this.
Repeated infringements at the scrum led to the sin-binning of prop Nathan Buck and the Ospreys were awarded a penalty try to increase their lead to 17-6 going into the break.
Robling's third penalty of the game reduced the Ospreys lead to 17-9 just minutes into the second half. When Biggar cynically tripped Brew, referee Nigel Owens had no choice but to yellow card the fly-half.
Robling's fine kicking display continued with his penalty taking to score to 17-12 with a quarter of the game remaining.
The scrum woes continued for the Dragons as Dan Way was sin-binned for an illegal bind.
The Ospreys sheer dominance at the scrum led to the second penalty try of the game. Biggar's simple conversion extended their lead to 24-12.
In trademark fashion, Williams scored and converted the bonus-point try with the final move of the game.
The scorers:
For Ospreys:
Tries: RP Jones, Williams, Penalty 2
Cons: Biggar 3, Williams
Pens: Biggar
For Dragons:
Pens: Robling 4
Comments
jontheref says...
damo
there were three yellows, and two pen tries.
Pity Clowncy couldn't have done the same last week.
The final try was surreal, I wonder who choreographed it!
Dragons kicked off out on the full on 80 minutes, so I wonder why he didn't give the free kick?
OK it wasn't needed as it happens, but that is why the law was changed.
Posted 17:27 21st April 2012
makemehappy says...
No-one can argue that Shane's try wasn't a fitting end to the game. Bravo!
Could someone point out to referees that we don't want to watch 15 minutes per 80 of resetting scrums. Are they mad????
Posted 12:59 21st April 2012
damo says...
Nigel Owens ------------- two yellows and a penalty try given, I wonder how much he had on the -14 handi??????
Posted 07:11 21st April 2012
jontheref says...
As suggested, great backrow battle, O's front five won the game.
Some slowness to accept reality delayed the ref giving the first pen try, and blindness by the other Scarlet TJ, proved a blessing to keep the Dragons in the game.
Ospreys should not have needed a 83 rd minute try for the bonus point, but what a fairy tale, the gap opened, and Shane wasd through.
14,400
this must be the start for next season, O's are advertising 2 for 1, and free kids entry, so hope we see more evenings like this.
Posted 00:14 21st April 2012