Ospreys Review

By Zippy
September 24 2004

Warriors 22 Ospreys 32 The Neath-Swansea Ospreys ran out deserved victors over the Warriors in an entertaining clash at the Brewery Field.

The Warriors dominated the first half and the scoreline of 16-15 to the Ospreys completely flaterred them at half time.

In the second half they showed greater fitness and strength in depth to run out easy victors despite a late flourish from the Warriors.

Final Score
Warriors (15) 22:
Try: Bryan.
Con: N Jenkins.
Pens: N Jenkins 5.

Ospreys (16) 32:
Tries: Morris 2.
Cons: Henson 2.
Pens: Henson 6.

Warriors Player Breakdown
15. E Lewis - 7, played ok, I can't understand why the safer option of Cull was not used. Lewis has shown he is not quite up to this and I would of preferred A Carter of Bridgend or R Fussell of Ponty given the chance if Howells wanted an attacking option.
14. G Wyatt - 6, saw plenty of ball did ok kicked to often and on one occasion was used as a doormat by Henson.
13. M Nutthall - 7, did really well out of position and kept the dangerous James Storey quiet.
12. S James - 6, his size was shown by Gibbs, young and talented, today however we needed Bryant.
11. R Mustoe - 6, few good runs but i would have preffered to start with Havilli.
10. N Jenkins - 7, 17 points, he played his part and lacked an easy option outside. He was forced to run himself at times and this is not when he is seen at his best. Lost his rag with the ref(who was poor) towards the end, i've never seen Neil lose his temper before. Have you?
9. P John - 6, age is catching up with this great servant of Welsh rugby. Did ok
1. P Booth - 5, handy with his fists and feet, even marginally escaping a prison sentance does not help him. Played against a young prop and did not dominate like he should.
2. A Joy - 7, best game in ages, carried well. I can see why he was given a contract.
3. C Horsman -6, needs to recapture his form of last season, he is now Welsh but will not be near the team with performances like these.#
4. D Jones - 3, worst player on the park by a long way. Lazy and unfit. Should of got Powell on much sooner. If he carries on like this then he can go back to Ebbw.
5. N Budgett - 6, good looking was ok but a shadow of the player he once was. Confidence lacking?
6. R Jones - 5, made some good runs in the first half, anonymous in the second.
7. R Parks - 7, good till he was injured and then should of gone off. No real option on the bench though and he plugged on to his credit.
8. R Bryan (capt) - 6, outshone by Dougie and co

Sorry for the essay but we are much better than this, injuries hit the backline hard. Admitted but the forwards were terrible. The scrum is an area in which we should of dominated, we had both size and experience and somehow they pushed us off the ball. Deniol Jones must be dropped as he looked unfit and dis-interested.

Gavin Henson was class, he is however a Bridgend lad and just another who slipped through the scouting net.

The crowd of 2,500 was poor, this is the best game of rugby between the Welsh regions so far. I except the semi pro teams were playing and this was a huge b**ls up but as has been mentioned where was the marketing and the entrance fees are prohibitive to families. The shirts going on sale should help the first point but we must do more.

I usually add positives about a game after a report, today however I can't be bothered to think of any.