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Ospreys win at Dragons in Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup
By PA
Ospreys maintained their interest in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup competition with a bonus-point 42-26 win over Dragons in an entertaining game at Rodney Parade.
Dewi Cross, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Morgan Morris, Dan Evans and Max Nagy all scored tries for Ospreys, with Luke Price adding three penalties and four conversions.
Dragons’ hopes of progressing in the competition were extinguished by the loss as they were hindered by frequent scrum penalties and a general lack of discipline.
Jonah Holmes scored two tries for the hosts to take his tally to 10 in his last nine appearances, while Dan Baker and Rio Dyer also picked up tries and Sam Davies converted all three.
Dragons took a third-minute lead with a try from Holmes. A cross-field kick from Davies was collected by the wing, who brushed off a weak challenge from Evans to race away and score.
Davies converted before Price put Ospreys on the scoreboard with a straightforward penalty.
Dragons hooker Taylor Davies was then yellow carded for a tip-tackle on Justin Tipuric, with the visitors immediately capitalising with a try from Cross.
Morgan-Williams broke away from a maul to send Cross through a gap to score and Dragons’ Aaron Wainwright lost his Captain’s Challenge as he contended that the pass was forward but, after viewing replays, the officials stuck with their original decision.
With Davies still in the sin-bin, Ospreys scored a second try when Morris forced his way over from close range to reward a succession of forward drives.
Price added a second penalty before Dragons replied with a second try from Holmes after skilful passing had provided him with an overlap. Davies converted to leave the home side trailing 20-14 at the interval.
Two minutes after the restart, Price kicked his third penalty but Ospreys hooker Sam Parry was soon yellow carded and former Osprey Baker crashed over to bring the hosts back into contention.
However Dragons immediately conceded a third try when Morgan-Williams darted away for an excellent solo effort.
Parry returned from the sin-bin in time to see his side score their bonus-point try when Evans took advantage of some weak tackling to score and Price converted for a 35-21 lead going into the final quarter.
A strong run from the impressive Holmes created a try for his fellow wing Dyer, but Ospreys had the final say with a try from Nagy.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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