Edinburgh fall short in Swansea

  • 18 February 2022

Edinburgh Rugby fell to a tough defeat in South Wales, with the Ospreys claiming a 23-19 win – despite a hat-trick from Edinburgh prop Boan Venter.

The visitors led 14-3 at half time, thanks to a quickfire brace from loosehead prop Venter, however the boot of Stephen Myler and tries from Matt Protheroe and Sam Parry saw the home side climb into a lead. Venter completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, but it was Myler who had the final word, nudging two late penalties to hand Edinburgh their first URC defeat since October.

Edinburgh arrived in South Wales having failed to win in Swansea since 2009, however they looked to be heading to victory after taking a commanding lead in the first half. The early exchanges were cagey, with multiple kicking exchanges and set piece battles, but it was Edinburgh who were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

With an Ospreys player in the sin-bin the capital club cashed in, Boan Venter crashing over from close range twice in four minutes. The first was after a series of pick and going from the forwards, the second finishing off a flowing move set up by a thunderous break from Cammy Hutchison.

Edinburgh missed a chance to score a third; Henry Pyrgos chipped over the defence to Darcy Graham, who was able to regather and put Glen Young into space near the line. The Ospreys defence scrambled and turned over the ball – a pivotal turning point in the match. Myler nudged a penalty over, however it was the hosts who were firmly in charge at the interval.

Ospreys came out of the blocks firing in the second half, and quickly hit back through a Matt Protheroe score – the fullback finishing after a period of pressure, with the ball going wide as the hosts held a penalty advantage. The hosts then hit the front through Sam Parry, who crashed over after a nicely worked lineout move to give the welsh side the lead for the first time.

Venter completed his hat-trick in response, burrowing his way over from close range. Venter became the 13th player to score a hat-trick of tries for Edinburgh in the professional era, and the first prop to do so - the only other front rower being Stuart McInally, against Timisoara Saracens in 2016.

Indiscipline would prove costly though, with Myler holding his nerve to add two penalties to condemn Edinburgh to a tough defeat in Swansea.

live commentary 5:15 PM Saturday 29 Jan 2022

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Kick-off 5:15 PM

Ospreys

Edinburgh Rugby

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