In the build up to the match Dragons RFC head coach, Filo Tiatia admitted that there have been many games this season that his side should’ve won, but despite going into an early 10-0 lead it was the same old story at the Swansea.com Stadium.
After early advantage in the contest tries from Will Spencer, Dewi Lake, Ben Warren, Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan Williams and both Keelan Giles and Dan Edwards bagging a brace, saw the Ospreys keep their play-off hopes alive as both sides travel to South Africa to conclude their seasons next weekend.
Ospreys: 54
Tries: Will Spencer (24’), Dewi Lake (33’), Ben Warren (45’), Keelan Giles (49’,77’), Dan Edwards (55’,58’), Kieran Hardy (70’), Reuben Morgan Williams (79’)
Conversions: Dan Edwards (24’, 33’, 45’, 49’, 58’), Jack Walsh (70’, 77’)
Penalties:
Dragons: 27
Tries: Harry Rees-Weldon (22’), Rhodri Williams (54’), Jared Rosser (63’)
Conversions: Angus O’Brien (22’, 54’, 63’)
Penalties: Angus O’Brien (16’)
Scroll down for Dragons RFC player ratings.
15. Ewan Rosser- 4
Was targeted from kickoff and restarts, but handled the pressure on occasions from Daniel Kasende well. Strong with ball in hand and showed on occasion some great footwork but needed to see it more from the fullback who was replaced by Will Reed.
14. Harry Rees-Weldon- 5.5
After winning try of the season in Super Rygbi Cymru, Rees-Weldon made his long awaited Dragons debut. Despite kicking the ball out on the full in the opening exchanges the 20-year-old had a decent showing which was capped off with a brilliant finish to score his first URC try.
13. Joe Westwood- 4
Not the best of afternoons for the 21-year-old as he was taken off early in the second half with blood and a head injury which resulted in the outside centre being replaced by Huw Anderson.
12. Aneurin Owen ©- 4
The Dragons captain like many in the backline didn’t see much of the ball in attack and like his counterpart in the centres, it wasn’t the best of afternoons.
11. Jared Rosser- 4.5
Worked well with Angus O’Brien, spotting gaps on the outside when the hosts’ were guilty at being narrow in defence but that was really it from the winger as it was a quiet afternoon. He does however get a higher score than expected as he showed great strength to score his third of the season.
10. Angus O’Brien- 5
After playing his first game last weekend at Judgement Day since the start of January, the outside half had a decent showing especially from the tee where he remained 100%. One of his downsides was he was slow kicking to the outside to Jared Rosser as the hosts were narrow in defence.
9. Rhodri Williams- 4
Kept the tempo high for the visitors in attack with some great kicks in behind as he tried to put his side on the front foot. Nothing came off from those kicks and he was replaced by Che Hope on the hour mark.
1. Rhodri Jones- 4
After signing a new contract in the week, Jones scrummaged and carried well but that was really it from the loosehead. He was replaced on the hour mark by Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths.
2. Brodie Coghlan- 6
The hooker was a great asset when it came to lineout time and was firing his arrows straight. He is another one that will have aspirations to be on the summer tour of Japan and overall was one of the standouts for the Dragons.
3. Chris Coleman- 5
The scrum was definitely an area of strength for the visitors in the first half especially for the 26-year-old who on occasions had the upper hand over Gareth Thomas. He is definitely showing improvements as the season has gone on but needs to do it on a more regular basis.
4. Joe Davies- 3
Davies came into the starting XV as he replaced injured Ben Carter and had a decent 60 minutes where he showcased some fast handling but was given a low score as I wanted to see more from the second row. He was eventually replaced by Barny Langton-Cryer.
5. Ryan Woodman- 4
Another one in the Dragons XV who didn’t make much of an impact on the game, but coordinated the visitors lineouts well which was perhaps the only positive of the afternoon for the visitors.
6. Shane Lewis-Hughes- 4
Compared to his counterparts it was a quiet afternoon from the blindside but overall carried well and was decent around the breakdown area.
7. Dan Lydiate- 7
Playing his final game on Welsh soil it was in some way a vintage performance from the 37-year-old. The infamous chop tackle, great workrate and great intelligence around the breakdown area was all on show as the Welsh legend bowed out for the last time as a professional rugby player in Wales.
8. Aaron Wainwright- 6
One of the Dragons main ball carriers and was nearly rewarded for his workrate with a try in the first half after some quick thinking between himself and Coghlan.
Replacements:
16. James Benjamin- 3
17. Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths- 4
18. Nathan Evans- 3
19. Barny Langton-Cryer- 4
20. George Young- 3
21. Che Hope- 4
22. Will Reed- 4
23. Huw Anderson- 4.5
HTSPORTSNEWS 