Ospreys piled up the points during an occasionally ill-tempered clash with Premiership XV at Maesteg but it was a disappointing display from the Welsh legends.
Ospreys piled up the points during an occasionally ill-tempered clash with Premiership XV at Maesteg but it was a disappointing display from the Welsh legends.
They ran in nine tries in a 66-0 win against an invitation side made up of players from Aberavon, Neath, Bridgend and Swansea but rarely stepped up the pace.
The Premiership side provided spirited opposition despite having three players sin-binned to the two of the Ospreys.
But the pace and power of the star-studded Ospreys told in the end. Wales playmaker James Hook bagged 29 points with a brace of tries, eight conversions and a penalty.
It had taken them 23 minutes to put points on the scoreboard, skipper and No 8 Ryan Jones driving over from a five-metre scrum.
There were fireworks when a spear tackle prompted the Ospreys to pile in.
Almost predictably with his track record, it was Ian Evans who was sin-binned for retaliation.
Seven minutes later, in the 34th, Evans’ fellow Wales international Jonathan Thomas and Premiership flanker Steffan Jones walked to the cooler.
A high tackle incurred the wrath of Thomas and another spat ensued. Referee Gwyn Morris didn’t hesitate in brandishing the yellow-card.
Hook stroked over a penalty to put the Ospreys 10 points up at the end of the first of the three periods.
The arrival of Filo Tiatia, Ospreys’ best player last season, lifted them with his professionalism and he soon barrelled his way over.
A deft flick by international centre Sonny Parker created a score for full-back Gareth Owen. Premiership XV outside-half Gareth David (Bridgend) made a neat break and linked with Aberavon winger Richard Carter but the move broke down near the Ospreys try-line.
Tries from flanker Marty Holah, Parker, fellow centre Andrew Bishop, Hook (two) and Thomas allowed the Ospreys to pass the half-century mark.
