The Ospreys secured a 37-24 bonus point win over the DHLS Stormes on Saturday evening.
The Ospreys started the game well in defence as dominant tackles forced the DHL Stormers into a failed grubber that allowed the Ospreys to get on the attack.
But it was the away team that was able to score the first try. A missed pass near the Ospreys line gave Leolin Zas an easy finish in the corner to open the scoring for the visitors.
The Ospreys replied almost immediately when Dan Edwards converted a penalty.
With the 15-minute mark soon approaching, Jurie Matthee was able to reinstate the DHL Stormers’ lead as he sent a penalty through the sticks. DHL Stormers 10 - 03 Ospreys.
Matthee added to his tally again soon after to give the DHL Stormers some breathing space, extending the DHL Stormers lead to 13 - 03.
A superb side-stepping run from Owen Watkin opened up some space in the Ospreys’ 22, the ball went into the arms of Reuben Morgan-Williams who looked like he might go over on his 100th cap but was brought down just short. The ball moved on and Captain Jac powered over from close range.
With two minutes left in the half, relentless defending from the Ospreys forced the DHL Stormers into conceding a penalty. Dan Eds levelled the scores with a converted penalty.
On the brink of halftime, Jurie Matthee gave the DHL Stormers the lead with a converted penalty to go into the second half 16-12.
The DHL Stormers were able to extend their lead after five minutes of play into the second half with another converted penalty.
Great footwork split open the DHL Stormers’ defensive line. The break was followed by some quality carrying which took the Ospreys within touching distance to the tryline. Reuben Morgan-Williams sniped over the line handing the Ospreys a 20-19 lead.
Dan Edwards extended the hosts' lead with a drop goal whereafter Reuben Morgan-Williams broke through from the halfway, dinked it over Willemse, recovered it and offloaded to Dan Edwards who scored the try extending the Ospreys' lead to 30-19.
DHL Stormers answered back with a score of their own with 10 minutes to go. Schickerling went over from close range after an extended spell of possession in Ospreys territory.
A vital penalty in the 79th minute saw Jack Walsh clear his lines and set up a finish from a strong attacking line-up. The Ospreys maul rumbled over the line to secure a penalty try for the Ospreys to lead 37-24, 2hich was the final score.
Scorers:
Ospreys: Tries: Luke Morgan, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Edwards, Penalty Try. Conversions: Dan Edwards (3). Penalties: Dan Edwards (2). Drop goal: Dan Edwards.
DHL Stormers: Tries: Leolin Zas, JD Schickerling. Conversion: Jurie Matthee. Penalties: Jurie Matthee (3). Drop Goal: Damian Willemse.
Teams
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Jac Morgan (c), 5 Adam Beard, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas. Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Max Nagy.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (c), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 David Ewers, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Angelo Davids.
