Review: Ospreys 59-5 Zebre

The Ospreys came into this game with a point to prove, following a disapointing season, and they most definitely did that. They started strongly, depriving the Italian side of possession and making many rampaging runs through Tyler Ardron, Justin Tipuric and Josh Matavesi. Davies put Ospreys 3-0 up after 5 mins with a penalty goal.

The first try of the game was scored by hooker Sam Parry and occured after 8 mins through a maul from a 5m lineout. He would go on to score two more identical tries just before and after half-time. Lloyd Ashley scored quickly following the first score after Josh Matavesi created space with a fantastic clean break. Sam Davies continued his impressive kicking display with another successful conversion from the corner. Ashley Beck was next to get on the scoresheet as he waltzed through the Zebre defence, making it look easy in the process.

Zebre hit back in the 34th minute through hooker Tommaso D'Apice. It would prove to be their only score of the game, as Padovani missed the conversion. They looked to fall apart in the second half and could not make much ground with poor handling costing them dearly.

Parry's two tries at either side of the interval were followed by a period of little action. Both sides made many substitutions and struggled to adjust to the changes in setup.

Substitute Ben John was next to go over for the Swansea-based side after receiving a fantastic inside ball from Sam Davies, at pace, and running it in from 30m out. Continuous infringements from Zebre led to the sin binning of Tommaso Boni who was adjudged to not roll away by referee, Andrew Brace.

In the final 10 minutes Ben John went over for his second and his partner off the bench, Dafydd Howells, also got over after picking up Dan Evans kick ahead. John too could have had a hat-trick, but knocked on from 1m out to blow his chance at glory.

Ospreys will be delighted with their performance tonight but will anticipate much tougher opposition in the coming weeks. Zebre already find themselves under serious pressure following this embarassing loss and will have to make serious changes to turn a season thats looking increasingly bleak, around.

Man of the match - Sam Parry

Parry put in a great shift tonight, getting around the field well and only having one mishap at the lineout. Any time a hooker scores a hat-trick it is difficult not to give them man of match and Jonathan Davies couldn't resist tonight.