Morgan scores Ospreys' derby winner in home farewell
Wales captain Jac Morgan scores the United Rugby Championship winner for Ospreys against Scarlets in his final home fixture before moving to Gloucester.
Jac Morgan co-captained Wales at the 2023 World Cup [Huw Evans Picture Agency] United Rugby Championship Ospreys (17) 27 Tries: Edwards 2, J Morgan Cons: Edwards 3 Pens: Edwards 2 Scarlets (5) 20 Tries: Douglas, Plumtree, Murray Con: Hawkins Pen: Hawkins Wales captain Jac Morgan signed off in style at Brewery Field by scoring the derby winner for Ospreys against Scarlets. The flanker, in his final home fixture before moving to Gloucester, powered over from close range in the 75th minute after the visitors had threatened to be party poopers. Ospreys led 17-5 at the break thanks to two tries and seven points from the boot of Wales fly-half Dan Edwards.
Lock Max Douglas claimed Scarlets' only score of a half in which centre Joe Roberts and prop Kemsley Mathias were sin-binned. At an old-school ground, the Llanelli side were no doubt recipients of an old-fashioned rollocking and stormed back with tries by Wales internationals Taine Plumtree and Blair Murray to lead 20-17. However, Morgan was to have the final say as Ospreys finished a turbulent season in Bridgend with victory before their return to Swansea at a revamped St Helen's.
Lydiate to leave Dragons for full-time Wales role Elias enjoying rugby again after 'low period' Ospreys coach Jones reflects on 'hell of a season' The late show meant Ospreys did the derby double against Scarlets after their Boxing Day victory in Llanelli, and the success also ensured they moved above Cardiff to claim the Welsh Shield. Edwards opened the scoring for hosts in the seventh minute when he raced over from half-back Kieran Hardy's offload. Scarlets response was swift with lock Douglas going over from close range to make it 7-5 after a burst by influential number eight Fletcher Anderson.
It was the visitors' poor discipline that led to Ospreys moving into a position of dominance at half-time in an error-strewn derby. After an Edwards penalty put Jones' men 10-5 up, Scarlets centre Joe Roberts was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Morgan Morris and loose-head prop Kemsley Mathias joined him in the sin bin for persistent infringing. Ospreys struck against 14 men when fly-half Edwards was worked over down the left but he missed the opportunity to twist the knife against 13 when he failed to find touch with a penalty for the third time.