Biggar steers Ospreys closer to semi

 

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy had warned his side not to be distracted by the hype of the big occasion but they started slowly, not taking the lead until the 45th minute before finally securing a 31-23 victory at the Millennium Stadium.

 

Cardiff Blues have now lost eight straight encounters between the two sides while Tandy's team are unbeaten since their loss to table-topping Glasgow Warriors in February.

 

And watching Wales head coach Warren Gatland will be heartened to see the performance of the only Welsh team still in contention for the Pro12 title.

 

Gareth Anscombe's seventh minute penalty gave Blues the early advantage as the Ospreys were punished for their early errors.

 

But from the restart they almost struck straight back. Ben John athletically gathered in a high ball and released Biggar who careered towards the line.

 

However, Tom Isaacs tracked back to make a brilliant try-saving tackle that left the Welsh flyhalf shaking his head in disbelief that he'd been denied a score.

 

Ospreys were punished again when Anscombe doubled their advantage with another well-threaded penalty.

 

Inspired by Tom Grabham's break, the Ospreys thought they'd hit back when Dan Baker crossed the line but referee Nigel Owens referred the try and further inspection revealed Josh Matavesi had marginally knocked on before releasing the No.8.

 

Ospreys' error count was creeping upwards and the Blues were gleefully taking advantage, Biggar's tackle denying Garyn Smith as Cardiff surged forward.

 

But Anscombe edged them further ahead with his third from the tee and it wasn't until five minutes from the interval that Ospreys finally stretched their rivals' defence to breaking point.

 

Biggar's break down the middle had Cardiff back-pedaling and ever present fullback Dan Evans crashed over in the corner for his fifth league try of the campaign, which Biggar duly converted from a tough angle.

 

Ospreys took the lead less than five minutes after the restart as Alun Wyn Jones punched a hole through a weak Blues defence and released Biggar for a score under the posts, to which he duly added the extras.

 

Blues were now being stretched as the Ospreys piled forward, their superior backs exploiting space that made further scores and a bonus point inevitable.

 

Five quality passes took Ospreys from one side of the Millennium Stadium pitch to the other and Grabham capped off a superb flowing move with his third of the season, which the unerring Biggar again converted from the touchline.

 

Eli Walker's tackle denied Smith a score for Cardiff but within minutes Josh Navidi slipped two tackles to score while Gareth Davies' conversion reduced the points deficit to just five.

 

Biggar's only penalty settled the nerves and the bonus point was secured after another flowing move, John's try beneath the post again converted by the Ospreys flyhalf.

 

A late turnover gave Blues a consolation score, Dan Fish storming the length of the victory to score beneath the posts, but Ospreys had maximum points and will take their place in the play-offs.

 

 

Tries: Evans, John, Biggar, Grabham

Con: Biggar 4

Pens: Biggar

 

Tries: Navidi, Fish

Cons: Anscombe

Pens: Anscombe 3

 

 

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Garyn Smith, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Chris Dicomidis, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Gethin Jenkins (captain).

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Dan Fish.

 

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Tom Grabham, 13 Ben John, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Lloyd Peers, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith.

Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Tyler Ardron, 20 James King, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jonathan Spratt.

 

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)