By Sian Davies Todd
December 3 2006

The Ospreys soared into the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals after a brilliant second-half display against Bristol. Bristol's second string were outclassed by an Ospreys' side featuring their international contingent. Ospreys kicked off and some scrappy inconclusive play led to an early penalty for Ospreys some 40 metres out. It was well struck to make it 3 – 0 with just 2 minutes on the clock. Ospreys then promptly gave away a penalty from the restart from a similar distance and Jason Strange equalised the score at 3-all.
Ospreys attacked, but Bristol won turnover ball and kicked up field without making touch. Scrappy play gave Ospreys a lineout, but they were unable to claim the ball cleanly and eventually they knocked on; but Bristol were unable to take advantage and gave away a penalty for a high tackle. At nearly 50 metres it looked a long shot and the kick fell just under the cross bar. Another penalty to the Ospreys was kicked to the corner and they came away with the lineout but knocked on to let the chance go begging.
The Bristol scrum looked under pressure and the ball squirted out the side to give the scrum back to the Ospreys. They drove to the line and Marshall picked up at the base to score a simple try. The conversion made it 10 – 3.
From the restart Ospreys kicked out on the full and Bristol won the lineout only to knock on. An aimless defensive kick gave Luke Arscott the chance to launch a high kick, but the referee felt Bristol knocked on when gathering. Several poor kicks resulted only for Geraint Lewis eventually to step inside the 22when kicking to give territorial advantage to the Ospreys.
Magic Man Blaney went off injured and Saul Nelson came on, Bristol won the lineout and kicked long. The Ospreys counter-attacked but came to the grief by throwing an outrageously forward pass. A penalty to Bris then gave the first real territorial advantage in the game as the second quarter began. Sadly they were unable to make it count, and the Bristol lineout, too, came under pressure. Some lateral play from the Ospreys came undone and Bristol won some quick ball at the scrum, but the Ospreys defence harried Bristol and they found it tough to make any ground and resorted to some aimless kicking. Ospreys took a quick lineout but became isolated and gave Bristol a chance to attack. Bristol, too, failed to capitalise and play broke down.
Alfie To’oala knocked on as he tried to break through but Ospreys ended up losing territory as Bristol defended well. Bristol went through several phases but found progress difficult and finally knocked on. A penalty went Bristol’s way at the scrum and Strange kicked for touch and made excellent ground. Ospreys were penalised as Bristol drove towards the line, and Strange again went for touch. The forwards strove to get the ball over but were repulsed several times. The ball went out to the backs, but it just went back to the same corner for another scrum to Bristol; the ball was then knocked on and the move came to nothing as Ospreys cleared upfield and won the Bristol lineout.
With the half drawing to a close Bristol tried to get into the Ospreys’ half, but their handling let them down and they gave away a long range, 50 metre penalty chance. Fortunately they were well wide and the half ended at 10 – 3.
HALF TIME
Almost from the restart Arscott was supposed to have knocked on and Ospreys had the scrum only to knock on in their turn. A kicking duel ensued until Strange poorly attempted to catch and knocked on badly. Directly from the scrum quick ball to Hook sent panic through the Bristol defence and he was able to dummy his way over under the posts. The simple conversion made it 17 – 3 with just a few minutes of the half gone.
This seemed to be the signal for Ospreys to up the pace and they launched several attacks into a scrambling Bristol defence. A crooked throw at the Bristol lineout gave Ospreys a good attacking scrum and Bristol gave away a penalty which Ospreys kicked to the corner. A forward drive was unleashed and Bristol were unable to stem the onslaught: Ospreys brought the score to 22 -3 inside 10 minutes of the second half. The conversion was missed.
Bristol coughed up the ball as they attempted to get into the game. There was slick handling and direct running as the ball went out to Walker on the right wing. He skipped out of a tackle to score in the corner: 27 -3 to the Ospreys with the conversion missed. All too soon Bristol lost the ball forward as they attempted to make a game of it and only some desperate defending kept Ospreys out.
Play now reverted to a slower tempo, but Bristol were just not able to string together any useful possession or territory. Eventually, with nearly an hour gone Strange managed to kick a penalty to the corner; the forwards drove as advantage was played. Strange again went for the corner. The Bristol forwards drove again and again a penalty was awarded, again Strange went for the corner. The drive went in, but Ospreys held out and Bristol’s only reward was the scrum. Bristol went for the line again as Ospreys held on. The ball went out to the backs, but the inside pass back into Lewis was knocked on. Some pressure but to no effect, and Ospreys cleared the danger.
Bristol now had to attack form deep and Ospreys helped by giving away penalties at the ruck. A lineout was won and Bristol strung together a few phases but lost the ball forward only for Ospreys to give away a free kick at the scrum. Bristol were unable to capitalise and were penalised for holding on. Henson was able to lunch a mammoth kick taking play back into the Bristol 22. Bristol cleared the initial danger only to give away yet another penalty for Henson to launch into the other corner. The lineout went Ospreys’ way and quick ball went out to midfield. Former Bristol hooker Barry Williams picked up and appeared to be shepherded over the line by the posts. The simple conversion made it 34 – 3 with just over 5 minutes to go.
Ospreys maintained the pressure as Bristol again fell foul of the referee and their forwards drove toward the corner but were just held out. The scrum went the hosts’ way. Bristol went offside at the scrum and Ospreys chose to scrum again. A neat grubber kick went through the Bristol defence but the Ospreys player was just unable to touch down. Bristol attempted to salvage some pride as the clock ticked away, working their way into the Ospreys’ half; but knocked on and allowed Ospreys to hack the ball downfield. Bristol, though, won the ball and ran out into the Ospreys’ half. Unfortunately an aimless chip from the Bristol scrum simply gave possession back to Ospreys who launched a long range attack. This broke down and Bristol had a last chance which ended in another knock-on to bring a disappointing conclusion.