The Ospreys secured their first win of the season with a dramatic 38-31 derby victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport, coming out on top in front of 6,037 fans in a match that saw the lead change hands numerous times.
Morgan Morris crossed for two late scores to seal the win, becoming the second Ospreys player to score a brace, with Sam Parry also touching down twice. Ross Moriarty and Keelan Giles added the other tries for Mark Jones' side, while the Dragons - previously unbeaten this season - scored through Elliot Dee's double, a penalty try, and a score from Anzelo Tuitavuki.
Costly injury toll
The match proved costly on the injury front. The Dragons lost three of their four props, while the Ospreys saw Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy and debutant Wallaby Marika Koroibete forced off before half-time.
The opening exchanges went to form given the teams' contrasting fortunes in the first two weekends, with the Ospreys pinned back early and conceding quickfire penalties that handed the Dragons attacking opportunities. A close-range maul allowed Dee to cross for his fourth try of the season, but the Dragons' joy was short-lived as loosehead prop Martinez departed minutes later.
Momentum shifts
A flurry of penalties set up the Ospreys in similar field position, with Moriarty driving over from a maul. The half-hour mark brought further injury blows as Hardy and Koroibete both departed within minutes, with the scrum-half's exit likely to concern Wales head coach Steve Tandy. The Dragons also saw tighthead prop Rob Hunt forced off after suffering a serious injury against the same opponents last season.
The Ospreys combined for a superb try when Liam Wright stole possession at the breakdown, Lalakai Foketi broke clear and kicked through for Giles to gather and step his way to the line. A lengthy attacking set then forced a penalty try from a powerful maul, though Moriarty was sent to the bin for his part.
Second-half drama
Despite starting the second half a man down, the Ospreys copied the Dragons' approach, with a patient driving maul seeing Parry score. A penalty from the kick-off handed the Dragons field position, with Dee extending his tally to five. Parry grabbed his second to move the Ospreys back ahead, before Tuitavuki finished off build-up play from Angus O'Brien and Che Hope.
With the Dragons threatening to pull away, the Ospreys retook the lead eight minutes from time when Morris powered over, and another close-range Morris score sealed things late on. An Angus O'Brien penalty earned the Dragons a second bonus point.
