In what was a competitive fixture between the two sides, the home side made the Ospreys dig deep to pull a winning performance out of the bag.
Both sides struggled to gain the upper hand in the opening stages of the game, with neither able to add to the scoreboard to take the early scores.
Cardiff Blues tried to battle their way into the Ospreys half in the first ten minutes of the game, with Catherine Richards breaking her way through the Ospreys defence with support from her wing Paige Randall taking play into the Ospreys half.
But the Ospreys were able to secure back the penalty for holding on to take back possession. Building their way back into their opponents half, the Ospreys worked the ball out wide eventually allowing Lowri Norkett to score the opening try. No conversion kept the Ospreys just ahead 5-0.
But the hosts were quick to answer back, with a blitzing run out wide from wing Rafiuke Taylor to equal the scores. Robyn Wilkins adding the extras to take the Blues ahead with just over 20 minutes played.
At the restart, a knock-on from Cardiff Blues handed Ospreys the advantage which they were quick to take. Carrying into the 22, Niamh Terry and Gwen Crabb both tried to ground the ball over the line, but a solid defence from the Blues held them back. Eventually, a break mid-field sent Kelsey Jones over for the Ospreys second try of the game. Keira Bevan converting took the Ospreys ahead 12-7.
But dejavu struck for the Ospreys, where another blitzing break from Rafiuke Taylor from her own half sent her clear to score her second try of the game. Wilkins kicking the conversion took the hosts back ahead 14-7.
With time for one more play before half time, the Ospreys took play into the Blues 22 after securing a penalty and opting for the lineout. A strong take and powerful driving maul saw Carys Phillips crash over the line for the try! No conversion saw the Ospreys edge just ahead at the half time whistle.
Coming out for the second half, the Ospreys looked to build on the momentum created at the end of the first half, but the Blues did well to keep them out of their half.
But cracks began to show in the Blues defence and with a penalty against them for holding on, the Ospreys secured the lineout inside their opponents 22.
Another attack out wide, saw Norkett cross the line for her second of the afternoon. Bevan converting extended the Ospreys lead to 10 points with 50 minutes on the clock.
Cardiff Blues looked to gain back their first half momentum, but a yellow card against captain, Abbie Fleming, put the side on the back foot, being reduced to 14.
But despite the one man advantage, the Ospreys struggled to get over the gain line and a valiant defensive effort from the Blues kept their opponents off the scoreboard as they ran down the clock for the card.
Back up to full contingent, the Blues looked to get their names on the scoreboard, but the Ospreys were looking to close the game out.
Conjuring up a swift attack in the Blues half a nice break from Keira Bevan sent the scrum-half straight through four opponents before she reached over the line for the try. Slotting the extras for her try, Bevan took the scores to 14-31.
Determined to keep hold of their comfortable lead, the Ospreys weren’t giving the Blues anything in attack. But Cardiff Blues were relentless and threw everything they had in the closing few minutes.
But the Ospreys black wall defence held strong, and a penalty in their favour drew an end to the game and secured the Ospreys the title of WRU Regional Women’s Champions for a third year.
Ospreys regional lead Siwan Lillicrap said, “It was great to get a third consecutive win in this competition. The girls really had to dig deep today against a strong Blues side so we are really pleased with the performance. We had a fairly small squad but everyone has committed to training three times a week and we have seen the results of that. Not only has this programme tested the more experienced players in the squad but we have seen young players coming through the programme such as Mel Gnokej who is with Wales U18 7s in Poland this weekend and Niamh Terry who returned from injury and played well today.”
Scorers:
Ospreys: Tries: L Norkett (2), K Jones, C Phillips, K Bevan; Con: K Bevan
Blues: Tries: R Taylor (2); Con: R Wilkins
Despite a win earlier in the day from Ospreys Women, meant that the Scarlets wouldn’t be crowned Champions, the West-Walians put in a strong performance against RGC to sign off the tournament.
Running in seven tries against the North Wales outfit, the Scarlets soared to a bonus point victory ensuring they took second place in the WRU Regional Women’s Championship.
A dominant opening 10 minutes from the women in red saw both Caitlin Lewis and Sioned Harries both power over the line within minutes of each other with Jodie Evans slotting the extras to give the side an early 14-0 lead.
Despite conceding 14 points in the opening stages, RGC took hold of possession and rallied into their opponents half. Setting up camp on the Scarlets 22, RGC tried to conjure up an attack but the Scarlets held their own well to keep them at bay.
Building up the phases and playing deeper into the Scarlets 22, RGC looked to capitalise on the penalty count stacking up against the Scarlets but struggled to get over the gain line.
Still in a strong position, RGC kept plugging away at the defence before a loose pass was swiftly picked up by Scarlet hands and cleared up field to deny the North Walians anything for their efforts!
Taking hold of the possession, the Scarlets raced back into RGC’s half and a quick break from Delun Alcock, sent the fullback over in the corner for the try. No conversion left the score at 19-0.
Momentum firmly back with the Scarlets, the side made quick work of another attack in RGC’s half to send Sioned Harris over for the brace. Evans adding the extras kept the scoreboard ticking over at 26-0.
At the restart, a quick take from Alex Callander saw the flanker make a clean break in the mid-field to take play back into the 22. With support behind her, quick work out wide sent Marged Williams over for try number five. No conversion left the score at 31-0 at the half time whistle.
Coming out for the second half, the Scarlets looked for the strong start but a knock on sent it straight into RGC hands. A nice take and strong run from Becki Jones saw RGC make the headway into the Scarlets half before being brought down in attack.
Going back for the advantage, RGC kicked for the throw in to take play into the Scarlets 22, but a knock on at the lineout handed possession back to the Scarlets.
Taking it quickly, a pass to Marged Williams saw the wing race from deep in her own half up field for the try! The conversion taking the scores to 38-7.
Still putting in a huge shift, RGC kept the Scarlets locked in their half and a solid effort from Beth Stafford sent the number 8 over for the try! Elinor Isaac concerting took the scores to 38-7.
With the momentum switched to RGC, the side looked to go again and powered their way back into the Scarlets 22. Setting up another solid attack, a second try looked to be in the making before a loose pass was picked up by Scarlets hands.
Running the ball out wide sent Scarlets wing Caitlin Lewis over the line for the last try of the game. Evans converted to hand Scarlets the 45-7 victory.
Scorers:
Scarlets: S Harries (2), M Williams (2), C Lewis (2), D Alcock; Con: J Evans
RGC: Try: B Stafford Con: E Isaac
