Morgan at the double for Ospreys history boys
OSPREYS recorded one of the finest results in their history as they claimed a remarkable and thoroughly deserved bonus point victory in Cape Town.
Winger Luke Morgan crossed twice out wide, while there were close range scores from hooker Sam Parry and flanker Harri Deaves as the Welsh region gave their URC play-off hopes a huge boost.
Player of the match Morgan Morris said: “I don’t think many teams win here, so it’s an incredible achievement for us. Everyone put in a shift. Every game, we fight to the end for each other.”
The visitors made a dream start with a try after just eight minutes as fly-half Dan Edwards put in a perfectly weighted grubber kick enabling Morgan to pick up and dab down.
The Stormers swiftly responded with centre Dan du Plessis involved in both the construction and completion of a slick backs move.
But the Ospreys went back in front as No.8 Morris surged up towards the line off an attacking scrum, with a series of carries culminating in Parry burrowing his way onto the whitewash.
It was developing into a really open and frenetic game with play swinging back and fore. Then, in the final play before the interval, came a big moment.
Receiving the ball midway inside his own half, Stormers No.10 Manie Libbok put in an ambitious cross kick which was picked off by Jack Walsh, on as a replacement for the injured Edwards.
The Aussie stepped inside one defender and passed out to Morgan who cut back inside, handing off Libbok to cross for a try which Walsh converted off the woodwork to give the visitors a 17-7 lead at the break.
Just three minutes into the second half, the Stormers demonstrated their attacking threat as they countered from their own 22, with hitch-kicking centre Wandisile Simelane making the key break and good hands sending No 8 Evan Roos racing in from 40 metres.
As the tension built, the Ospreys were still ahead going into the final quarter and then came another decisive episode.
Awarded a scrum penalty near the Stormers line, they opted for a re-set and it paid off as the pick-andgo around the corner approach worked again with openside Deaves the man to dive over to claim the four-try bonus.
The visitors then put in an immense defensive shift in the final 15 minutes before a last-gasp penalty try earned the Stormers the slim consolation of a losing bonus point.