| Worcester (12) 29 |
| Tries: Lawrence, Nanai, Searle, Hill Cons: Shillcock 3 Pens: Shillcock |
| Ospreys (18) 38 |
| Tries: Parry, Penalty try, Morris, North Cons: Myler 2 Pens: Myler 4 |
Ospreys made it two European Challenge Cup wins from two as they came from behind twice to end any Worcester interest in this year’s competition.
After leading through tries by England centre Ollie Lawrence and winger Melani Nanai, Warriors were pegged back by a Sam Parry try and a penalty try.
Trailing 18-12, Warriors scored twice more through Billy Searle and Ted Hill.
But Morgan Morris crossed and George North’s late try proved the matchwinner as Stephen Myler made the game safe.
The former Northampton and London Irish kicker landed both conversions and two late penalties to increase his personal haul to 16 points.
Warriors, without 12 injured players, made nine changes from last Saturday’s narrow last-gasp defeat in Pau.
They were then forced to make two more when centre Francois Venter and openside flanker Sam Lewis withdrew due to sickness.
And they suffered two more early blows when the ever reliable boot of Myler landed two early penalties.
But the hosts turned it round with two tries, Lawrence’s being converted by Jamie Shillcock, who was then unsuccessful with his second attempt at goal when Nanai went in at the left corner.
But the game turned just before the break when the Welsh side were awarded a penalty try and Cornell du Preez was sent to the bin before Ospreys took advantage of the extra man to score again through hooker Parry.
Warriors hit back with 17 unanswered points to lead 29-18, a Shillcock penalty and conversions to both tries by Searle and Hill.
But a further pack indiscretion proved costly, when home prop Ethan Waller was yellow carded on the hour.
Morgan went over with 12 minutes left, Myler converting, although Warriors were back up to full numbers when North powered over to restore Ospreys’ lead.
Myler converted that from the touchline and two more penalties to seal their first victory in this competition over Warriors.
Although Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones was missing, having been ruled out for 10 weeks with a knee problem, Ospreys skipper Justin Tipuric was back to lead the side after suffering a hip injury just before last week’s win over Castres.
Ospreys captain Justin Tipuric told S4C:
“I can’t speak high enough of the boys to keep digging in because it looked like it was getting away from us but to sneak it at the end is a great result for us.
“When you play against English teams it’s all about the up front battle. We knew if we could get the better of them up front then we’d be half way there to winning a game.
“We’re taking one game at a time and we’re not looking too far ahead. It was nice to get back playing and having some fans at the game, which was a different experience which we’ve missed.”
Worcester: Nanai; Humphreys, Lawrence, Beck, David; Shillcock, Simpson, M Thomas, Miller, Palframan, Merrick, Clegg, Hill (capt), Mama, du Preez.
Replacements: Annett, Waller, Verden, A Kitchener, O Morris, Hougaard, Searle, Batley.
Sin bin: Du Preez (34), Waller (60).
Ospreys: D Evans; North, Watkin, K Williams, Protheroe; Myler, Morgan-Williams; G Thomas, Parry, Fia, Beard, R Davies, W Griffiths, Tipuric (capt), Lydiate.
Replacements: I Philips, N Smith, Botha, Ashley, Cracknell, M Morris, S Venter, Thomas-Wheeler.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
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Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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