Biggar points the way as Ospreys bring losing streak to a halt
OSPREYS ended a seven-match losing run in all competitions to record a bonus-point 28-14 PRO14 derby victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at the Liberty Stadium.
The home tries came from flyhalf Dan Biggar, hooker Sam Parry, replacement scrum-half Jason Leonard and replacement prop Ma’afu Fia. Biggar also kicked two penalties and a conversion.
Dragons’ two tries came from prop Leon Brown and Elliot Dee, while Gavin Henson — one of six changes in the away side’s lineup — supplied two conversions.
Flanker Sam Cross made his PRO14 debut for Ospreys against Dragons only four days after his surprise inclusion in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals. Ospreys were missing back-rowers Justin Tipuric (thigh), Dan Lydiate (back), Dan Baker (ankle), who is ruled out for the season, and scrum-half Rhys Webb (knee).
Ospreys enjoyed a wealth of possession but were unable to convert that into points as Dragons, who lost centre Tyler Morgan with an ankle injury after 13 minutes, got through 100 tackles in the first quarter.
Four times Ospreys went through extended attacks — one going through 26 phases — before Biggar crashed over to break the deadlock after 24 minutes, although the outside-half was unable to convert his own score.
But Ospreys were only able to hold onto their lead for six minutes as Brown celebrated his Wales call-up by going over from the Dragons’ first venture into the opposition ‘22’. Henson converted to give the visitors a 7-5 lead.
However, Ospreys bounced back to score their second try six minutes before the break as Parry went over after good work from Alun Wyn Jones and Keelan Giles — although Biggar missed his second conversion.
Biggar was successful with a penalty, giving his side a 13-7 interval lead after Henson missed one of his own.
Ospreys started the second period in positive fashion with Biggar kicking a 43rd-minute penalty, but Dragons came up with a second try when hooker Dee forced his way over as Henson added the extras.
With only two points between the teams, the match was in the balance until a driving maul saw Leonard cross over for Ospreys’ third try and — 10 minutes from time — a relentless Ospreys attack ended with Fia getting over the line with Biggar’s conversion giving them a 14-point lead.