MATCH REPORT: Ospreys won the Welsh derby, beating compatriots Scarlets 36-14 in Swansea on Sunday, to book their place in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals.
They not only claimed Welsh bragging rights, but set themselves up for a shot at Lyon Olympique Universitaire – who demolished the Sharks in Sunday’s other match.
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Ospreys wasted no time to get their noses in front, Adam Beard crossing on minute one for the lead.
Captain Jac Morgan then led by example to double the hosts’ advantage before five minutes had passed.
But the experienced Blair Murray clawed the visitors back into it on 10 minutes.
But Scarlets’ match didn’t improve as they would’ve hoped. Rhys Davis and Dewi Lake each scored to give the hosts an almost 20-point lead before the break.
Any Scarlets hopes to come out for the second half on the front foot were soon extinguished by an inspired Ospreys side.
Jack Walsh went over 12 minutes after the restart before Daniel Kasende joined the festivities nine minutes later.
Eddie James got one back for the visitors inside the final 10 minutes, but it was too little, too late for Scarlets.
The scorers
For Ospreys
Tries: Beard, J Morgan, Davies, Lake, Walsh, Kasende
Cons: D Edwards 3
For Scarlets
Tries: B Murray, E James
Cons: Hepburn, Lloyd
Teams
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Jac Morgan (captain), 5 Adam Beard, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 James Fender, 20 Morgan Morse, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Iestyn Hopkins.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Lloyd, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Max Douglas, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Joe Roberts, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)
