Ospreys ……….31 Northampton 24
Luke Morgan's 77th minute try proved the difference as Northampton Saints ended their preseason with a narrow defeat in south Wales.
Justin Tipuric played just under an hour on his return from a shoulder injury sustained at the start of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa 14 months ago.
The flanker showed little sign of rust with a typically industrious performance.
Despite the loss, Northampton coach Matt Ferguson was upbeat about the men in Black, Green and Gold's preparations for the new season.
“There was a real mixed bag in there, but the biggest thing is that there will be some huge learnings,” he said.
“When we look at the tape on the way home, there will be some great stuff we can take away and take into the game at Sale next Friday, so that's the biggest positive.
“We tend to not really care who we're playing because we have a way of playing and expectations of the players to do it. Cohesion and combinations are given a bit of attention, but actually the individual skill and ability to carry that out is there to see from that.”
The visitors led 12-3 at the break at Dunraven Brewery Field, as a penalty try was awarded after Ospreys infringed with Saints' lineout drive rumbling towards the whitewash and Angus Scott-Young scored his first Saints try that originated through smart hands by James Ramm and Joel Matavesi.
As both sides rang the changes in the second half, the game opened up into an entertaining affair.
Saints went further in front as Tom Collins crossed out wide before Brandon Nansen went over off the back of a scrum.
Cai Evans' try and Garyn Phillips' double from close-range saw the game level at 24-24 with ten minutes to play before the Ospreys utilised space with quick hands for Morgan's 77th-minute match winner.
