A SECOND-HALF try from Ireland wing Tommy Bowe was the crucial moment in an error-strewn match as the Ospreys continued their home dominance over city rivals Cardiff Blues with a 17-12 victory in a scrappy RaboDirect Pro12 encounter, which keeps the Ospreys in second spot in the table
The game marked Wales and British Lions back Gavin Henson’s first appearance in Swansea since January 2009, but apart from a few bright moments, he was unable to prevent his new side from slipping to defeat against his former team-mates.
Centre Ashley Beck did the initial damage for Bowe’s try, breaking through from an attacking scrum, replacement Tom Isaacs provided the crucial link and it was left to Bowe to ride the despairing tackle of Henson to touch down on the whitewash.
Moray Low took full advantage of Matt Scott’s late yellow card to force the only try of Glasgow’s scrappy 17-12 win over Michael Bradley’s Edinburgh at Firhill.
The teams were locked on nine points each until Scott threw Robert Harley to the ground in the 68th minute and Low soon emerged with the ball after a lineout to cross over the line.
The victory also ensured Glasgow retained the 1872 Cup with an aggregate victory over their rivals during the festive period. The teams had drawn 23-23 at Murrayfield on St Stephen’s Day, sharing three tries apiece.
Glasgow forged ahead through with three Duncan Weir penalties, with Phil Godman kicking one for Edinburgh.
Glasgow made a series of changes with John Barclay among the introductions and they began to exert some pressure. But it was not until Scott was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Harley that they looked like breaking their opponents down, and Low’s try proved crucial.
Scott Wight, on for Weir, missed the conversion but he soon kicked a penalty and Edinburgh, with Mike Blair going off injured, could not find their way back.
