In a thrilling encounter, Kieran Hardy led the Ospreys to a 33-22 victory over Cardiff, showcasing his leadership and scoring abilities. This match included significant changes for Cardiff, who made five alterations following their narrow win against the Dragons.
Match Overview
The Ospreys faced off against Cardiff with altered lineups. Cardiff prop Keiron Assiratti returned from a calf injury, joining forces with Danny Southworth, George Nott, Alun Lawrence, and Johan Mulder in the starting lineup. Stand-in Ospreys captain Dewi Lake moved to the bench, while Parry and full-back Jack Walsh stepped forward as co-captains.
First Half Highlights
- Kieran Hardy was the sole specialist number nine for the Ospreys.
- Hardy nearly scored first but lost possession over the line.
- Giles opened the scoring for Ospreys with a dynamic try after a clever pass from Hardy.
- Cardiff responded with a break from Ben Thomas, leading to a try by Adams.
As the half progressed, Hardy leveraged a powered approach, diving over the ruck to add to the Ospreys’ score. However, Cardiff’s captain Liam Belcher received a yellow card for an illegal play, giving the Ospreys a temporary advantage. Nevertheless, they entered halftime leading 12-7.
Second Half Developments
Despite being back to full strength, Cardiff struggled early in the second half, allowing Ospreys to capitalize. A combination of wing Hopkins and lock Ryan Smith facilitated a try by Parry. Although the Ospreys were missing prop Gareth Thomas due to injury, Garyn Phillips stepped up with a critical defensive turnover.
Hardy continued to shine, crossing for a bonus-point try, leaving Cardiff’s Mason Grady behind. Hopkins capped off the Ospreys’ scoring, solidifying their lead.
Late Game Action
- Cardiff responded with a second try by Adams.
- Faletau charged over for another Cardiff score, igniting their supporters.
As the game neared its conclusion, Ospreys’ replacement Morgan Morse received a yellow card for a professional foul. In the final moments, Sebastian managed to score for Cardiff, securing a losing bonus point.
Conclusion
The match highlighted Kieran Hardy’s importance to the Ospreys, as they navigated a challenging game against a determined Cardiff team. The final score of 33-22 reflects the Ospreys’ strong performance, propelled by Hardy’s leadership and scoring ability.
