This was an enjoyable match of nip and tuck rugby, though on the strength of this performance both sides lack the sort of skill and confidence to make a serious impact on the big names teams in this competition. What really struck me was that the Ospreys appeared to have lots of attacking ideas but few players with the skill to deliver them whilst Bath is a team stuffed with skillful players but with few attacking ideas. Bath spent too much of the match hoofing aimless balls up-field, giving their opponents prime ball from which to launch their attacks. The visitors were fortunate that they didn't pay a high price for this tactic with only the inadequacy of the Ospreys' backs preventing them from adding to their two try tally.

Frikkie Welsh demonstrated his worth to Bath when he skipped along the touchline to score Bath's first try like a tightrope walker keeping his balance. His loss to injury shortly afterwards appeared to totally destroy Bath as an attacking force when they should have been able to build on his brilliance far sooner than they eventually did. Welsh's try opportunity came from a great win against the head by James Hudson in the lineout. This led to Bath possession in the centre of the pitch which then saw Barkley stretch the home defence as his mis-pass found the excellent Danny Grewcock who made 10 yards before feeding Welsh on the edge of the Ospreys' twenty-two: the rest, as they say....

Welsh's departure after 28 minutes saw Andy Williams move to the wing, looking more than a little disgruntled, and Nick Walshe coming on at scrum-half.

Welsh's score followed a penalty try to the Ospreys after 6 minutes when Gareth Delve was penalised for joining a maul near the Bath try-line after he was told to stay out. Ospreys' fly-half, Matt Jones, opted for a quick thinking cross-pitch penalty kick as Bath expected them to go for goal. Matt Perry was caught out by the chip kick and took out Mustoe as he was certain to catch the ball and score. Referee Owen took advice from the Fourth Official and had no choice but to give the try.

Prior to the match there was some mumbling about the quality of this referee but I thought he had a really good game, with neither side receiving favour or penalty and his decisions looking spot on. David Barnes was particularly fortunate to stay clear of the sin-bin when he decided to lead with his elbow at a Bath ruck. A stupid and uncharacteristic action by the Bath prop who was lucky to see the penalty attempt at goal sail wide of the mark.

Bath could have scored a second try after 35 minutes when Olly Barkley's interception on the edge of his own twenty-two should have seen him dash up-field, however one slippery hand saw the ball go to ground.

Bath's defence was in good shape throughout the game, holding up the ball several times when it looked as though the Ospreys would score and Matt Perry took out Brew when the winger was just inches from touching down: the Welshman couldn't believe he'd been prevented from scoring.

With Bath leading at half-time 7-13 it was the Ospreys who started the new half with two quick scores. An offside penalty after two minutes and a Matthew Jones try, after the Bath defence finally gave way, amended the score to read 17-13 after just four minutes. Chris Malone immediately replaced Ryan Davis and he followed up a Barkley penalty with a now familiar drop-goal to take the score back to Bath, 17-19.

Andy Williams then made the game (almost) certain for Bath as he crossed for a try despite receiving a "clothesline" tackle that would have done many a WWE wrestler proud. The 25 yard break by Williams was made possible by Matt Stevens committing three Ospreys' defenders to stop him as he peeled off a maul, but not before he'd fed Nick Walshe who passed on to Williams, who ran a great attacking line to be in a position to score.

A late penalty to the home side made the score too close for comfort at 20-24, but a final Barkley penalty closed out the game with just a few minutes left.

This was a workmanlike performance from Bath but we can be pleased that our lads travelled to Wales and walked away with a win, always a good feeling! I thought Dixon threw well to the line-outs with the back row of Delve, Scaysbrook and Goodman looking really strong. One powerful run by Delve was only spoiled by his off-load being intercepted.

Given what we read about the frustration of Welsh rugby supporters in not seeing enough top class club matches, I was surprised to see loads of them leaving the ground when their side was just four points behind and with five minutes of the game remaining. Wasn't the whole point of this competition's ridiculous format to help raise revenue and the profile of rugby in Wales?

Ospreys: Karauna; Mustoe, A. Bishop, Davies, Brew; M. Jones, Spice; James, B. Williams (capt), A. Jones, Newman, Evans, Thomas, Pugh, R. Jones.
Replacements: D. Jones, Hibbard, Cockbain, Lloyd, Beech, Roberts, Connor.

Bath: Perry; Finau, Cheeseman, Davis, Welsh; Barkley, Williams; Barnes, Dixon, Bell, Hudson, Grewcock, Goodman, Scaysbrook, Delve.
Replacements: Hawkins, Stevens, Smith, Borthwick, Walshe, Malone, Davey.

Referee: Nigel Owen (WRFU)

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