Morris finds his form to help Ospreys see off Lions
Ospreys …………36pts
Tries: Botha 5, Parry 17, Morris 49, Lloyd 58, K Williams 80
Conversions: O Williams 18, 50, 59, Walsh 80
Lions……………… 21pts
Penalty: O Williams 40
Tries: Botha 37, Q Horn 67, Kriel 75
Conversion: Hendrikse 38, 68, 76
THE Ospreys put themselves back in the mix for the play-offs with a five-try bonus point victory which lifts them up into the top eight.
There was a touchdown for hooker Sam Parry on his 150th appearance for the region, with player of the match Morgan Morris also going over from No.8.
It's a result which will see them head into next weekend's Challenge Cup last 16 tie at home to Sale in buoyant mood. Coach Toby Booth said: “We are still where we need to be in the URC and we can enjoy our European experience knowing we'll be coming back into a competitive position in the league.
“We are in the hunt, we know we can go toe to toe with it. No one at the start of the season would have said that.”
It was a South African who opened the scoring after five minutes, but for the hosts rather than the visitors. Following a series of forward carries, former Cheethas tighthead Tom Botha burrowed over for just his second try in his six years at the Ospreys.
Then, on 17 minutes, came a really popular score as Parry stormed over to celebrate his landmark game in style. Scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams was the creator, dummying and breaking away from a midfield ruck before giving the scoring pass.
Parry then went from hero to villain as he was yellow carded for interference at the base of a ruck just past the half hour. The Lions soon made the most of their extra man with hooker PJ Botha scoring off a lineout maul drive, but the hosts had the final word in the half with
Owen Williams slotting a penalty to make it 15-7.
When play resumed, it was the Lions' turn to lose a player as replacement prop Morgan Naude was sin binned for lifting Justin Tipuric well above the horizontal at a clear-out. Ospreys immediately capitalised with Morris – who excelled in attack and defence – producing a show-and-go to nip over after his pack had pummeled away on the line.
Then, just before the hour mark, came the bonus point try with replacement hooker Lewis Lloyd rounding off an 11-man lineout drive as backs joined the maul.
The Lions responded with final quarter tries from full-back Quan Horn and wing Richard Kriel to raise hopes of a losing bonus point, but the hosts ended those thoughts with centre Keiran Williams crossing in the final play.
