Glasgow put Ospreys to sword

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors were in fine form to defeat the Ospreys by 42-17 at the Brewery Field in the United Rugby Championship.

Two tries from the Ospreys weren’t enough to hold back the visitors, who crossed six times in a convincing performance.

Ospreys started strong, advancing quickly down the field and getting the driving maul going in the right-hand corner.

Pressure led to a penalty try awarded, but the decision was eventually reversed by a TMO check.

Soon after the disallowed Ospreys score, Glasgow put the first points on the board.

After a spell of possession near the Ospreys’ line, Jamie Dobie sniped between two defenders and dotted the ball down. Try converted.

It looked like a battle of the scrumhalves as Ospreys mirrored the Glasgow score, but with Reuben Morgan-Williams sniping through the Warriors’ defensive line. Dan Edwards converted.

Glasgow answered straight back. A penalty advantage in the Ospreys 22 allowed them to put out a risky pass out to Kyle Steyn, who finished in the corner. Conversion successful.

The Ospreys put the pressure straight back on Glasgow with some big hits on the gainline, but the visitors stood firm.

Eventually, it proved too much for them and a penalty allowed Edwards to add three points to keep in touch.

Edwards was pulling out all the tricks in the first half, controlling a Glasgow dink through with a deft touch of the right boot before popping it to Jack Walsh to clear their lines.

With just under 30 minutes played, the Ospreys were reduced to 14 as a late change of direction resulted in Dewi Lake going high in the tackle.

With the man advantage, the next opportunity went to the visitors, but a massive defensive stand by the hosts on their own line eventually resulted in an Ospreys penalty.

However, Glasgow’s next trip to the Ospreys 22 did result in a score.

It looked like it was going to be another big defensive stop, but a Warriors maul went over, and Johnny Matthews picked up the points.

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The Ospreys came flying out of the blocks in the second half.

Morgan-Williams went down the blindside, and a succession of perfect pop passes sent Luke Morgan over to finish with aplomb in the corner.

Edwards drilled a beauty from the touchline to bring the hosts within four points.

Glasgow answered right back. Jamie Dobie sniped a gap and went through untouched for his brace, securing the bonus point for the visitors.

With 25 minutes to go, the Warriors went close.

A loose ball broke to Kyle Steyn, who grubbered it downfield, but some superb recovery work from Dan Kasende prevented the score.

Ospreys were fighting hard in defence, but Glasgow were relentless.

They marked the final quarter with their fifth try, with a well-worked move off set-piece that sent Ferry through for the score.

The next opportunity went begging as the TMO intervened to rule out a Glasgow score for obstruction in the lead-up.

The visitors couldn’t be denied a final score as the rolling maul got going from the line-out and powered Macenzzie Duncan over.

Scorers:

For Ospreys:
Tries: Morgan-Williams, Morgan
Cons: Edwards 2
Pen: Edwards

For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Dobie 2, Steyn, Matthews, Ferrie, Duncan
Cons: Hastings 5, Lancaster

Teams

Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Phil Cokanasiga, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Morgan Morse, 6 James Ratti, 5 James Fender,4 Rhys Davies, 3 Ben Warren, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Kian Hire, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Gwilym Evans, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Tom Florence, 23 Iestyn Hopkins

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Kyle Steyn (captain), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Angus Fraser, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Patrick Schickerling
Replacements: 16 Seb Stephen, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Alex Craig, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Dan Lancaster

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)