OSPREYS BAG HOME CLASH
LATE scores from Keelan Giles, Cameron D Jones and Morgan Morse helped the Ospreys secure a home last-16 clash in the Challenge Cup as they defeated the Lions at Ellis Park.
Having secured their place in the knockout stages last week with victory over Perpignan in Swansea, their trip to South Africa saw them bidding for home advantage in the next stage of the competition.
That didn’t look likely at one stage, with the home side leading heading into the final 10 minutes.
However, Giles’ score, followed by a fine team try finished off by replacement scrum-half Jones and Morse’s interception ensured the Ospreys would enjoy home comforts in the last 16.
It was a remarkable win in the circumstances, with the Welsh side missing 20 players through injury heading into the game.
The Lions had lost three men to the sin-bin throughout the match, with PJ Botha, Marius Louw and Hanru Sirgel all spending time on the sidelines. The latter coincided with the Ospreys’ comeback from 11 points down.
After an early Sanele Nohamba penalty, it was the Ospreys who crossed for the opening try, with Owen Watkin capping his Wales recall with a charge-down score.
The home side responded instantly, with captain Louw latching onto Nohamba’s kick to score.
The Ospreys’ other centre, George North, restored their lead with a try after breaking through in midfield, minutes before leaving the field injured.
However, further scores from JC Pretorius and Louw ensured it was the home side who headed into the break ahead.
After Nohamba and Dan Edwards exchanged penalties, Morne van den Berg’s try pushed the Lions further ahead shortly before the hour mark.
But with the Lions down to 14 men after Sirgel’s yellow card, Toby Booth’s men mounted an impressive comeback.
First, in-form wing Giles latched onto an offload to reach over from close range.
Then a superb team effort was finished off by Jones to hand the Ospreys the lead with four minutes left.
With the home side chasing the game, Morse picked off a pass near halfway to run in the Ospreys’ fifth score to cap an impressive victory.