OSPREYS BLOW UP A REAL STORM
THE Ospreys boosted their hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs with an remarkable bonus-point victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Toby Booth’s side headed into the clash at the DHL Stadium in ninth place, after wins for Ulster and the Lions.
However, two tries from wing Luke Morgan and further scores from Sam Parry and the superlative Harri Deaves secured a victory that moved them back into the top eight.
To a man, the Ospreys were superb on their way to what has to be one of the greatest results in their history.
It was the Ospreys who struck first, with Morgan getting over for the opening try after nine minutes when he latched on to Dan Edwards’ grubber through.
The hosts didn’t take long to hit back, with Dan du Plessis crossing after the Stormers sliced through the Ospreys defence from a line-out.
Despite losing young fly-half Edwards shortly after, the Ospreys forged ahead, with close carries to the line resulting in hooker Parry forcing his way over to put the Ospreys ahead again.
As the first half drew to a close, the mercurial talents of Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok backfired, resulting in a third try for the Ospreys. Having started the half with a flurry of kick-passes, his final one before the interval was read superbly by Edwards’ replacement Jack Walsh.
He burst from deep to claim the kick, before stepping past one wouldbe tackler and feeding Morgan for his second score.
The Stormers started the second half well, with a brilliant team try from deep finished off by No. 8 Evan Roos.
However, with the Ospreys’ scrum getting plenty of joy against the South African pack, the visitors pushed further ahead after the hour mark.
More good work by the pack was rewarded with openside Deaves claiming the bonus-point try that his all-action performance deserved.
The home side hit back, throwing everything at the Ospreys. But some brilliant defence on their own line, with Huw Sutton and Owen Watkin both coming up with crucial turnovers under the shadow of their own sticks, and a late penalty from Walsh ensured the Ospreys came out on top.
However, with every point crucial, the Stormers still pushed for a losing bonus point, with Max Nagy yellowcarded for a deliberate knock-on after the clock had gone red, resulting in a penalty try for the home side.
But that wasn’t enough to take the shine off a remarkable victory by the Welsh side.