Ospreys 18 - 16 Cardiff Blues LET THE COWS DANCE

Recommendation: 10 pts Ospreys to win outright 8/13 @ www.sportingodds.com

Well, after what was a dire, dire, dire game we have our first winner. It has to be said we were lucky in the end but a win is a win is a win.

Report:

The Ospreys beat Cardiff Blues 18-16 at Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Wednesday night. Three tries to pone sounds comfortable but it took a last-minute try to win the dramatic match.
Nick Robinson had scored all the Blues' points and had done so in all four possible ways but it was his poor kick that opened up the way for the winning try by replacement Richie Pugh.

It was a harsh match with all the passion of a derby between neighbouring Welsh sides. There were many stoppages for injuries and when the Blues ran out of suitably trained front-row players the scrums became uncontested.

The Ospreys scored early when Shane Williams started and then scored. He threw in quickly from touch to Lee Byrne and then was on hand to get the ball back when the fullback was tackled and race over for the try on the right. There was every appearance of a knock-on which seemed to stop the Blues' defenders in the expectation of a whistle.

After Robinson had goaled a penalty he moved the Blues into the lead. Like Shane Williams he started and finished the move. He chipped diagonally, wing Mosese Luveitasau gathered and passed back to his flyhalf, and Robinson scored and converted. 10-5 to the Blues.

Justin Marshall did much to dictate the game for the Ospreys, keeping his side well inside the Blues territory. From a five-metre scrum, when the Blues' hooker Rhys Thomas was off injured, big Ryan Jones drove over for the try which levelled the scores. 10-10.

Just before half-time Robinson kicked the first of his dropped goals to make the score 13--10 to the Blues at the break.

The Ospreys had two chances for tries in the second half, the first when Shane Williams counterattacked in characteristic fashion only for Sonny Parker to knock on when a try seemed certain and the second when Williams just failed to gather the ball with a try there for the taking.

Gavin Henson, who had an off day with the boot, goaled a penalty to make the score 13-all, but, with seven minutes to play, Robinson kicked a long drop goal and seemed to have won the match for his side till Pugh caught his poor kick and scored the winner a minute from time.

Scorers:
For Ospreys:Tries: Shane Williams, Ryan Jones, Pugh. Pen: Henson
For Cardiff Blues:Try: Robinson.Con: Robinson.Pens: Robinson.Drops: Robinson 2