Ospreys cruelly denied South African scalp with last-gasp heartbreak
Ospreys cruelly denied South African scalp with last-gasp heartbreak
Mark Jones' side nearly ended the season with victory in South Africa, but narrowly went down 29-28
Keiran Williams with the ball for the Ospreys
(Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Huw Evans Agency )
A last-gasp try denied Ospreys just their second league win in South Africa as their United Rugby Championship campaign ended in a agonising 29-28 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.
Mark Jones' side had seen their hopes of a second successive play-off spot ended last week, following a defeat to the Sharks in Durban. However, they at least looked to be finishing the season with a win after Sam Parry's score just two minutes from the end.
However, a late penalty provided Lions with a final opportunity, which fly-half Lubabalo Dobela capitalised on, squeezing over in a nail-biting finish.
The Ospreys had taken the lead four times in Johannesburg, thanks to tries by second-row pair Will Griffiths and James Ratti, as well as Jack Walsh.
Despite this, they had to settle for two bonus-points, which were insufficient to prevent Lions from surpassing them in the final league standings.
In the end, Jones' side finished the season in 12th. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
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Harri Deaves took Jac Morgan's place in the side as the Wales captain was rested ahead of the Lions tour, with Deaves leading an impressive defensive effort as the hosts dominated first-half possession, warranting more than a 12-7 lead at half-time.
Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe marked his final game before joining the Sharks with the opening try, moments after Dobela's effort was disallowed.
Griffiths, however, demonstrated excellent anticipation at the re-start, charging down Richard Kriel's clearance to score.
Jaco Visagie responded, though the Ospreys should have led at the break, but Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keiran Williams failed to convert the scrum-half's burst.
Ratti finally ended a four-minute spell on the Lions try-line with the Ospreys' second, only for Visagie to respond for a second time just minutes later.
Walsh raced through from a powerful thrust and offload by Williams, but Henco van Wyk stormed through two tired tackles for Lions to lead 24-21 on 70 minutes.
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Parry seemed to have clinched it when he powered over late, only for a dramatic finish to throw up another final twist.
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