Edwards steers 14-man Ospreys to Cardiff derby draw

United Rugby Championship

Cardiff (5) 13

Tries: Lloyd, Hughes Pen: Thomas

Ospreys (3) 13

Despite receiving a red card, Ospreys continued their revival under Mark Jones when they won a well-earned draw at Cardiff.

In his first game since taking over as head coach Toby Booth, Jones won a late victory over Scarlets.

Even after James Fender’s first-half dismissal, Ospreys was within sight of clinching yet another dramatic victory.

In a chaotic and disjointed derby, Evan Lloyd gave Cardiff a half-time lead.

However, a gutsy defensive performance, a potent scrum, and 13 points from fly-half Dan Edwards kept Ospreys’ Arms Park on level terms after the game.

Jac Morgan, Sam Parry and Rhys Davies, on his first appearance since March, weighed in with tireless displays.

Cardiff, who had a 5-3 half-time lead against 14 men at the break, will beg themselves that they haven’t won at Arms Park since 2007.

Indiscipline proved costly, as Teddy Williams and Rhys Litterick’s yellow cards caused them to spend the majority of the second half of the season at a decline in numbers.

Cardiff put a late try on their driving lineout before the halftime break, which gave them a winning start.

However, the 30-minute gap was a tale of Ospreys failing to capitalize on their scrum dominance.

Reuben Morgan-Williams burst 40 meters clear after catching opposite number Ellis Bevan horribly out of line, but Morgan Morris sprang possession over the line.

Edwards missed a penalty, Max Nagy was stopped on the line by Louie Hennessey while the full-back’s knock-on would eventually rule out Morgan-Williams ‘ try.

It was an eventful debut for Hennessey – on loan from Bath – who began at centre, won a lineout in the build-up to Lloyd’s try, saved a score and ended on the wing after injuries.

Referee Ben Breakspear called Fender a “high degree of danger” when he rolled Dan Thomas by the neck while putting weight on the Cardiff flanker’s lower leg.

In order to maintain a full-strength pack, Ospreys boss Jones replaced Nagy with James Ratti, who gave up Nagy at half-time.

And he won the lead very early in the second half.

On 49 minutes, Cardiff lock Williams received a yellow for an infringing lineout, and Edwards quickly capitalized on it with a try-a-do.

Eight meters out, the 21-year-old looked well marked before turning to Rory Jennings and shrugging off Callum Sheedy as he prodded over.

Matt Sherratt had chosen to have six forwards on his bench and toss five of them in a row to bring the new legs that had come in from a lineout drive to level the scores.

“But because we awarded far too many penalties, the game veered off and snuck away from us.”

“We’re pleased with the draw when you consider that we held them up over the line at the end.”

Mark Jones, Ospreys’ head coach, said: “We’re all frustrated with the outcome, but I’m very happy with the fight and the quality the players showed after the red card.

” We didn’t take our opportunities in the game, especially right at the end. In the past, we have captured those memories, but not today.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Josh McNally, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau, Aled Davies, Rory Jennings.

Sin bin: Williams (49), Litterick (68)

Ospreys: Max Nagy, Iestyn Hopkins, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, James Fender, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Garyn Phillips, Rhys Henry, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Jack Walsh, Evardi Boshoff.

Red card: Fender (39)

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

Assistant referees: Ben Connor &amp, Adam Jones (WRU)