The Ospreys had led from the 10th minute and were leading 16-10 when in the dying seconds, flying Dragons winger Corey Howells, who was a constant threat with ball in hand, fly hacked the ball downfield from halfway. As the bouncing ball edged ever nearer the dead-ball line, Howells desperately lunged at the ball. With the Dragons bench leaping in the air as one, and Ospreys fans simultaneously fearing the worst, there was a collective sigh of relief when referee Ben Breakspear eventually disallowed the try.
The Ospreys entered the final firm favourites after dismantling the Dragons in the last round, but the Dragons raised their game and proved dogged opposition.
Despite having the better of the first half, the Ospreys only led 5-0 at the break thanks to a try by front row Rhys Henry who crashed over in the corner.
Reagan Mahoney slotted a penalty to put the Dragons on the board but Cai Evans soon cancelled that out with a penalty of his own.
Mahoney was then sent to the sin bin for interfering on the ground and the Ospreys made him pay. A well worked lineout was driven towards the try-line where prop Jordan Walters crashed over the line for his team’s second of the evening.
Evans then extended the Ospreys lead with a successful penalty to put the Eyasses 16-3 ahead and in control but with 10 minutes remaining the underdogs showed real bite with Rio Dyer cutting through the Ospreys defence for an excellent touchdown. The conversion brought the score to 16-10 and the Dragons suddenly had a sniff of glory.
With time running out, the Ospreys clung on to the ball and worked their way into Dragons territory but the ball was turned over. Howells then got the ball and gobbled up the ground as he chased his kick ahead, but his chase ultimately proved a lost cause as he was denied by the referee as the Ospreys celebrated their second title success in three seasons.
In the earlier game, Cardiff Blues triumphed 34-12 over the Scarlets.
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