North stars as debut boy Harri makes history books

ALLEN Clarke praised the performance of George North as the Wales wing crossed for his fifth try in six games to help the Ospreys open their account with a bonus point win over Pau.

North has been a revelation since joining the Swansea-based region from Northampton and his performances will have heartened Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“I thought George was excellent today and brought a lot of energy,” said Clarke. “He carries the ball with real intent and I was delighted with his performance, as I was with Luke Morgan who was been excellent for us.

“We go to Worcester next weekend and you saw what we were like away from home against the Scarlets and prior to that when we won in Zebre. Getting the five points at home was vitally important.”

Tries from North, Luke Morgan, James Hook and Harri Morgan, plus seven points from the boots of Hook and Sam Davies was enough to see the Ospreys home. Pau on the other hand were toothless and failed to fire a single shot.

Hook opened the home side’s account when he was put through a gaping hole by Davies for the first try after the Ospreys scrum had given the backs a perfect platform.

The Ospreys dominated the first half from start to finish with Pau only enjoying the one foray into the Welsh region’s 22.

But Clarke’s side struggled to convert territory and possession into points in what was a flat first forty minutes.

Cory Allen very nearly extended his side’s lead when he sliced through the defence only to spill the ball forward with the try line at his mercy meaning the Ospreys led 10-0 at half-time.

They were far more clinical in the second half and extended their lead when North burst on to a well-timed pass from Hook before smashing his way over the line.

Former Wales 7s star Morgan was next on the score sheet when he showed blistering pace to race in from 40m.

The hosts had to wait until the last play of the game before securing the bonus point. Keelan Giles chipped over the top of the Pau defence and replacement No.9 Harri Morgan, 18, won the race to touch down for a try on his Ospreys debut and become the first player born this century to appear in a senior game.