Ospreys 21–12 Swansea
Late Conbeer Stunner Halts All Whites Comeback.
Match Report by Paul Tabram.
Swansea were tantalisingly close to pulling off a shock win at the Swansea.com stadium on Saturday as the Ospreys played host to the Super Rugby Cymru clubs.
Earlier in the day the Ospreys defeated Aberavon (12-7) and Bridgend Ravens (33-0) before playing the All-Whites in their 3rdhalf-hour showdown.
It was a case of pleased to meet you once again as Ospreys fielded six former All-Whites during the 30-minute pre-season friendly and both teams showed a willingness to play wide and expansive rugby.
After 8 minutes, new Ospreys signing Ryan Conbeer scored the first of his brace of tries which was converted by Dan Edwards. Eight minutes later Luke Scully crashed over close to the posts which Dan Edwards made no mistake in converting to take a comfortable 14-0 lead. The floodgates opened in the previous match when Bridgend were put to the sword but Swansea showed that they could be a force to be reckoned with this season in the inaugural Super Rugby Cymru Championship with two tries of their own.
The first came from some lovely link up play between forwards and backs to send Callum Bowden over after 23 minutes. Unfortunately Josh Phillips could not add the extras when his conversion attempt was sliced wide of the near post. Then just four minutes later Daf Davies powered his way over the try-line after some concerted Swansea pressure. Josh Phillips this time made no mistake.
With just two points between the teams, the regional side scored a beauty to seal the victory. The ball went wide to the player of the match Ryan Conbeer who beat one man and then chipped over the top of the defence to touch-down. Dan Edwards converted to make the game safe as the referee blew the final whistle.
Final Score – Ospreys 21–12 Swansea
Swansea next play Swansea University at St. Helen’s on 7thSeptember, whilst Ospreys travel to Devon to face the Exeter Chiefs on the same day.
Swansea
15Brandon Wood
14Callum Dodd
13Callum Carson
12Joe Thomas
11Tom Edwards
10Josh Phillips
9Iwan Temblett
1Daf Davies
2Llew Phillips-Taylor
3Chris Davies
4Sam Pailor
5Ben Roberts
6Geraint Powell
7Callum Bowden (Capt.)
8Luca Giannini
Replacements (All Used)
16Owen Thomas (Llew Phillips-Taylor 17m)
17Tom Crockett (Daf Davies 24m)
18Ellis Fackrell (Chris Davies 17m)
19Chris Thompson (Ben Roberts 17m)
20Joe Greaves (Geraint Powell 17m)
21Aron Hemmings (Iwan Temblett 24m)
22Harri Williams (Brandon Wood 24m)
23Harrison Doe (Joe Thomas 28m)
Ospreys
15Lewis Edwards
14Luke Morgan
13Max Nagy
12Luke Scully
11Ryan Conbeer
10Dan Edwards (Capt.)
9Luke Davies
1Cameron Jones
2Ethan Lewis
3Tom Botha
4Theo Currie
5Evan Hill
6Huw Sutton
7Dan Gemaine
8Triston Davies
Replacements
17Steff Thomas (Tom Botha 10m)
21Scott Whitlock (Luke Davies 24m)
Venue:Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
Player of the Match Ryan Conbeer (Ospreys)
Ospreys:
Tries:Ryan Conbeer (8), (30), Luke Scully (17m).
Conversions:Dan Edwards (9), (18), (30).
Swansea:
Tries: Callum Bowden (23), Daf Davies (27)
Conversion:Josh Phillips (28)