WARRIORS.
7 Van Breda – was unable to stop Giles from going over and landed one of his three touchline conversions but his tactical kicking improved as the match wore on.
6 Howe – was committed as ever but almost gifted Ospreys a score when he collided with Hammond near the try-line and his kicking out of hand was far from perfect.
7 Lawrence – was at fault for Ospreys’ first score and missed a tackle on North for the second but also did a lot right including a superb break and fine finish.
7 Te’o – his presence was valuable for Warriors alongside talented teen Lawrence in midfield as he carried hard and defended his channel well.
7 Hammond – scored Warriors’ second try and sent Tipuric back-peddling with a powerful run from deep but this was a rare surge as he too frequently looked to kick instead.
8 MILLS – had plenty on his shoulders as captain and fly-half but rose to the challenge, assisting for Lawrence’s try and coolly dispatched a last-gasp drop goal. My man of the match.
8 Arr – did brilliantly to support Barry to score the opening try and his long, looping pass set-up Hammond for the second. His persistent kicking also paid off.
7 Waller – an impressive 80-minute shift from the loosehead who added to a strong scrummaging display and made ground when he got the ball in his hands.
7 Taufete’e – aside from his first lineout throw that went awry the hooker was pretty solid at the set-piece, even throwing in a couple of short ones to keep things tight and was effective in the loose.
7 Kerrod – secured a penalty at the opening scrum and continued to pack down well as he put his best foot forward from the first whistle to the last.
8 Barry – intercepted a pass before running 40 metres and then showing great composure to pass to Arr to score. He also operated well in the set-piece.
7 Phillips – a key component in a Warriors’ tight-five that worked their socks off and demonstrated his determination to strip Ospreys of the ball twice late on.
7 Hill – put in a huge defensive shift with several crunching tackles going in and made one notable surge in the opening 15 minutes only to lose the ball in contact.
6 Mama – had a mixed afternoon at the breakdown and presented Price with a three-point opportunity when he was pinged for holding on but was a useful ball-carrier.
6 Cox – stopped King from scoring moments before Cracknell went over but his high tackle almost cost Warriors victory as Davies landed the resultant penalty.
Replacements: Annett (Taufete’e 66), Kitchener 6 (Barry 63), Kirwan 7 (Mama 50), Heaney (Arr 79), Butler 6 (Lawrence 55). Not used: Cosgrove, Morris, David.
Attendance: 6,184.
Referee: A Ruiz.
Ospreys: Evans; North, Allen, Williams (Watkin 61), Giles; Price (S Davies 69), A Davies (Habberfield 61); Thomas (Jenkins 76), Baldwin (Otten 51), Jeffries (Gajion 30-40, 51), Ashley (Griffiths 69), King, Cracknell, Tipuric, Cross (McCusker 54).
RUN OF PLAY.
0-5: Arr try, 10mins.
0-7: Van Breda conv, 11mins.
5-7: Giles try, 17mins.
8-7: Price penalty, 24mins.
13-7: Cracknell try, 33mins.
15-7: Price conv, 34mins.
Half-time: Ospreys 15-7 Worcester Warriors.
15-12: Lawrence try, 49mins.
YELLOW CARD: North (Ospreys) 55mins.
15-17: Hammond try, 57mins.
18-17: Davies penalty, 75mins.
18-20: Mills drop goal, 80mins.
Full-time: Ospreys 18-20 Worcester Warriors.
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