The Ospreys fell just short in Scotland despite a valiant effort
Evardi Boshoff of Ospreys makes a break to set up a first half try for the visitors(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
A severely understrength Ospreys side slipped to a 19-17 defeat to Edinburgh but did claim a vital losing bonus point.
Mark Jones’ side were decimated by both injuries and international call-up’s but this was an extremely valiant effort from the Ospreys. In total they were without 23 players but pushed a full-strength Edinburgh all the way in the Scottish capital.
Tom Currie, Harri Morris and Harry Paterson scored Edinburgh’s tries. Tries from Luke Davies and Phil Cokanasiga (twice) along with a seven points from the boot of Jack Walsh allowed the Ospreys to leave with a losing bonus point.
The Ospreys drew first blood with a cracking try from long-range. A kick upfield from the hosts was gathered by Walsh who sent Daniel Kasende racing up the touchline.
The flying wing released Evardi Boshoff but the South African centre got dragged down just short of the try line before offloading to Davies for the try.
But Edinburgh finished the first-half strongly when dynamic backrower Currie hit a great angle to score leaving both sides level at 5-5 at the interval.
The Ospreys made a strong start to the second-half and with Edinburgh under pressure some nice handling from Walsh and Max Nagy found Cokanasiga who dummied before racing through a gap to score.
Walsh added the extras but Edinburgh’s pack went up a few gears and won field position.After a period of pressure Morris powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
The hosts continued to apply the pressure when a beautiful grubber kick by Findlay Thomson got in behind the Ospreys defence for Paterson to score.
As a result there was more than one score between the sides but the Ospreys refused to throw in the towel.
The Welsh club fought their way back up the field and Cokanasiga hit another superb angle to score. Walsh converted the try to get back to within two points with just five minutes remaining.
But Edinburgh were not prepared to throw the game away and put their foot on the Ospreys’ throats to get over the line.
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