Benetton 31-19 Ospreys: Jac Morgan is only bright spot for the Welsh side

Benetton ……………………….31pts

Tries: Maile 4, Mendy 29, Ratave 46, 55; Umaga 67
Conversions: Umaga 5, 30, 68

Ospreys …………………………19pts

Tries: Williams 13, 43; Davies 79
Conversions: Walsh 44, 79

Ospreys’ URC playoff hopes suffered a blow as they went down to defeat in Treviso against Benetton, with Ross Moriarty picking up two yellow cards.

They were outscored by five tries to three, but one positive was an impressive return for Wales and Lions flanker Jac Morgan after four months out with a dislocated shoulder.

Benetton took an early lead off a rolling maul with their Tongan hooker Siua Maile the man to get the ball down, while the response from the Ospreys also came via a close-range lineout with centre Keiran Williams crashing over off a pass from Harri Deaves.

After having two tries disallowed, the hosts finally got their reward as Argentinian Ignacio Mendy produced a sharp in-out finish after fellow wing Onise Ratave had broken through in midfield.

Return: Jac Morgan

Bulldozing

Trailing 14-5 at the interval, the Ospreys swiftly cut the deficit as centre Williams went under the posts for his second after some slick handling.

But Benetton soon struck again as Fijian Ratave showed his power by brushing off three defenders on a bulldozing run to the line after taking a long pass from Jacob Umaga.

Ospreys were then reduced to 14 men as No.8 Moriarty was yellow-carded for making a tackle while on the ground, which sent prop Thomas Gallo tumbling head over heels.

Benetton capitalised on their extra man as the outstanding Ratave again demonstrated his strength by getting the ball down in the right corner to secure the bonus point.

Ospreys looked to have hit back when Jack Walsh went over, but the try was ruled out for head contact in a clear out by Moriarty, which saw him receive a second yellow.

Benetton finished the game with 13 men as lock Scott Scrafton and centre Malakai Fekitoa were sin-binned, while late tries were exchanged by Umaga and Luke Davies.

Charge: Jacob Umaga breaks through to score for Benetton
PICTURE: Getty Images