Cardiff Blues A suffered a frustrating evening at Bridgend on Friday, as Ospreys Development secured a 29-5 win in the fourth round of Celtic Cup action.
Wales’ Capital Region had named a young side for the Brewery Field clash, with a number of the current under-18 squad involved in the matchday 23, while the pack was bolstered by the experience of senior squad members Macauley Cook, James Botham and Ethan Lewis.
It was a promising start for the visitors, with Teddy Williams opening the scoring, but the hosts responded to score 29 unanswered points, with wing Ben Cambriani crossed for a brace of scores.
The reliable boot of Josh Thomas kept the scoreboard ticking for the home side, who secured their first victory of the season.
It was a scrappy opening 10 minutes in Bridgend, with both sides guilty of unforced errors, however the visitors were encouraged by the strong ball-carrying display from the likes of Ethan Lewis and Mason Grady.
The pressure eventually led to territory, with the Blues the first to venture into the opposition 22. Wing Dafydd Smith looked to have squeezed in the corner for the game’s opening try, however James Botham’s offload was judged to have gone forward.
Wales’ Capital Region won a penalty against the head from the resulting scrum, and opted to pack down once again. The ball was successfully recycled, and the away side were camped on the try line, with lock Williams eventually crashing over for the game’s opening score.
Ospreys immediately replied with a Thomas penalty, and took the lead mid-way through the first half.
Dewi Cross came close down the left hand side, before the ball was worked to the opposite corner, where the hosts had plenty of numbers, with Cambriani dotting down.
A series of penalties saw the Ospreys Development side building momentum as the half progressed, and the ill-discipline from the visitors led to a line-out in the corner.
However, captain Macauley Cook led from the front with a superb piece of maul defence to force a turnover and allow his side to clear their lines.
Ospreys added a second try of the evening, pouncing on a dropped high ball from Rhys Davies. Cambriani used his pace to round the defence on the outside and finished impressively to secure a brace of tries.
Thomas added the extras to see the hosts heading in with a healthy 10-point lead at half time.
The outside half was at it once again within two minutes of the second half, slotting a penalty to extend his side’s lead.
Thomas kept the scoreboard ticking with two further penalties, opening up a 19-point lead, before replacement forward Travis Huntley added a third for his side.