Reuben’s try rouses Ospreys recovery
STEPHEN Myler kicked 13 points to complete a remarkable turnaround and earn Ospreys only their second win in the last 13 competitive fixtures at the Liberty Stadium.
Against a Glasgow side which had been buoyed by the release of five of their Scottish squad members, Ospreys looked a racing certainty to fall to another defeat when they were run ragged in the first half-hour as the Scots’ built up a 12-3 lead.
However Glasgow missed a number of chances to put the final nail in the coffin and Ospreys regrouped to stage a superb rally.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “We had a plan but we found it hard to execute it in the first half-hour as they were very good.
“They were a strong side with 16 internationals in their squad but we hung in there and found a way to win.
“There is still a hell of a lot to do and it’s one piece at time – but the future’s bright with some of youngsters starring with Reuben
Morgan-Williams deputising splendidly for Rhys Webb at scrum-half.”
It was Morgan-Williams who initiated Ospreys’ comeback with a superb run before following it up with the first try. There were also impressive performances from fellow youngsters, Luke Morgan and Kieran Williams.
However those youngsters barely got a look-in during the first half-hour as Glasgow played some stunning all-action rugby.
Scotland squad members, George Turner and Richie Gray, showed their class with Turner everywhere in the loose and Gray dominating the lineout to provide their dangerous backs with plenty of possession.
Huw Jones and Nick Grigg caused Ospreys no end of problems but Glasgow must surely reflect on their inability to provide the knock-out punch.
Danny Wilson’s side took an early lead with a try from full-back Jones. From a lineout 35m out, strong runs from Jones and Grigg split the defence before the ball was recycled for Jones, who has recently converted from centre, to stroll over.
However the Scots bungled the restart and lost possession to allow Mat Protheroe to run elusively into their 22 from where Glasgow were penalised for Myler to kick an easy penalty.
Normal service was resumed when Glasgow stormed back for a period of sustained pressure. Two kicks at goal were declined in favour of attacking lineouts and the decision was rewarded when Turner forced his way over.
It was all Glasgow in a one-sided first half-hour but they missed golden opportunities to put the game to bed with two knock-ons five metres out allowing Ospreys to escape. A long clearance from Scott Williams took his side deep into Warriors territory followed by a charge-down from Adam Beard and another elusive run from Protheroe threatening the try-line but with no reward.
Four minutes from halftime Ospreys got their reward. An excellent run
from Morgan-Williams earned a 5m scrum from where he darted over to leave his side trailing 12-10 at the interval.
After the restart, Myler and Horne exchanged penalties before Ospreys scored their second try when a pass from the alert Morgan-Williams gave Morgan the chance to squeeze outside Tommy Seymour to score.
Myler converted from the touchline and added a penalty but despite losing Beard to a late yellow card for a deliberate off-side, Ospreys dominated the second half to record a morale-boosting victory.
Glasgow coach Wilson said: “It’s frustrating as elements of our game in that first half were very good but we lost momentum and made too many errors.
“We were in a position to win but we couldn’t get any possession or territory in the third quarter and it’s disappointing to come away without even a bonus point.”