From our encounters last year we knew it could be a fast, physical & aggressive challenge. This was confirmed after 10mins, getting pressured by their defence and counter rucking and strong ball carries by a big but mobile pack. 14-0 was not the start the Ospreys wanted. However we know the boys can dig deep and they muscled up and started getting on the front foot with good carries from Nathan Rickerby, Alfie Wright and Jamie Black up front and Zine Hodgson & Logan Fowler in the middle. Zine was moved to stand off and Max Carr to outside centre which made the ospreys more dangerous in attack. Soon after Zine put in a great cross field kick and debutant winger Ollie Muller coolly finished in the corner. Unfortunately Darlington, as they did all match, were very good at quickly taking the string out of the ospreys comeback and momentum. They scored next with a good finish from their winger and an excellent goal kick from the touch line. Just before the half time, Josh Doran powered over for his first try of the afternoon. Half time 21-10.
Ospreys were desperate to get a better start to the second half, build a bit more pressure by being more aggressive in the ruck and get our players into better spaces with more urgency in our transition game. They didn’t disappoint, after a number of attempts, second row Harry Robinson scooped up a ball and with great footwork dived over for the try, converted by Joe Tyson. Very soon after the try of the day was scored, launched from inside the 22, full back Joe Tyson made good yards down the right side. Olly Muller now at 9 had a great impact on the speed of the attack and Zine Hodgson at 10 using his long pass managed to set Captain Jamie Black away who linked with hooker Josh Doran. Most hookers would maybe make 10 yards but not Josh who backed himself and crashed over. J Tyson added the conversion to give Ospreys the lead. 21-24. However, poor Ospreys game management, and Darlington's will to win quickly got the home side back in the game. To the disappoint of the ospreys, they responded with two quick back try’s to put the score 35-24. Captain Jamie Black was urging his troops to show more aggression and fight to get back in the game, leading by example he took a quick tap and went on a fantastic low drive at the line, crashing through 3 defenders to score. 35 - 29. Definitely a crowd pleaser this game. With 10 mins to go and Ospreys out on their feet Darlington secured the win in typical fashion, which had given them the edge all game, they turned over possession at the ruck and the winger finished in the corner. 40-29. With not long left, the ospreys found a final push and, to the delight of the away supporters, worked well up the pitch and Josh Doran was on hand to take the final try of the game, converted by J Tyson 40- 36. Mom - For work on the wing and back row Roman Martin.
The Ospreys are definitely building and look forward to hosting Billingham next Sunday at Cockermouth Rufc, 1pm ko.