Match Report: Exeter Chiefs 10 – 14 Ospreys

A tough encounter in the rain saw Exeter Chiefs narrowly lose out to Ospreys in a game that Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said would allow his team to learn a lot about themselves ahead of the 2024/25 season.

On a wet and overcast day in Devon, the newly launched Chiefs 2024/25 cup kit – a vibrant pink colour with blue Chiefs heads – certainly brightened the afternoon.

There were some chances on offer in the opening ten minutes for Chiefs but it seemed both sides had slightly underestimated how wet underfoot the turf had become and how the inclement weather would affect handling for offloads.

Spotting that the weather may hamper scoring to an extent, Josh Hodge opted for a shot at goal when the Chiefs were awarded a penalty between the 22 and the 10-metre line in front of the posts. A clean strike from the full back put the Chiefs on the board.

A gap opening on the far wing when the Chiefs flew out of the line to defend gave the chance for Ospreys winger Ryan Conbeer to scamper through for the first try of the match. Dan Edwards then added the conversion for the visitors.

Half-time: Chiefs 3 – 7 Ospreys

The Chiefs got the foot into the game in the opening minutes of the second half. A searching cross-field kick from Harvey Skinner dropped into the waiting grasp of Paul Brown-Bampoe who had one man to evade on his way to crossing the line. Hodge added the extras to take the Chiefs to a round 10 points on the board.

Collecting a chipped ball over his own line on the hour mark, Brown-Bampoe took off looking set to run a score downfield from his own dead ball area. A well-timed Ospreys tackle dislodged the ball however, stalling the Chiefs momentum.

From there to the conclusion of the match, play became somewhat grubby as the conditions worsened and handling of the ball was ever more affected.

The closing stages of the encounter were seen out by a sustained attack on the Chiefs line. A penalty allowed Ospreys to call for the scrum and in a melee of bodies near the line, Luke Scully managed to sneak over for the try. And, with the clock in the red, former Chief Jack Walsh secured the conversion to end the game.

Full-time: Chiefs 10 – 14 Ospreys

Chiefs: J Hodge; P Brown-Bampoe, B Hammersley (Hawkins 67’), Z Wimbush, O Woodburn; H Skinner, S Maunder (Cairns 45’); S Sio (Goodrick-Clarke 40’), D Frost (Yeandle 40’), E Painter (Iosefa-Scott 40’), R Tuima (Dunne 52’), R Capstick, E Roots (Worley-Brady 45’), J Vermeulen, G Fisilau (Moloney 40’).

Replacements: Haydon-Wood

Tries: Brown-Bampoe Conversions: Hodge Penalties: Hodge

Yellow card: Harvey Skinner (77’)

Ospreys: M Nagy; L Morgan, P Cokanasiga, K Williams, R Conbeer; D Edwards, R Morgan-Williams; G Phillips, S Parry, M Iorwerth-Scott, J Ratti, H Sutton, T Davies, J Morgan, M Morris.

Replacements: Thomas, Lloyd, Lewis, Botha, Jones, Tipuric, Deaves, Morse, Davies, Walsh, Moyse, Scully, Florence, Hopkins, Houston

Tries: Conbeer, Scully Conversions: Edwards, Walsh

Referee: Luke Pearce