Tiatia gives Ospreys victory

A late try by all-action number eight Filo Tiatia gave Ospreys a deserved 16-12 victory over Cardiff Blues in an enthralling local derby.

The hosts led 9-8 at the interval thanks to two Ben Blair penalties and a Nicky Robinson drop goal, Lee Byrne crossing for the visitors.

Blair and James Hook added a penalty apiece after the break but Hook's fizzing pass allowed number eight Tiatia to drive over out wide and seal the win.

Blues full-back Blair landed his furst penalty after just two minutes, Ospreys responding through fly-half Dan Biggar, and both players missed further kicks before Blair restored his side's lead.

Biggar's agility and sleight of hand kept the ball alive before Tommy Bowe fed Byrne and the Wales number 15, in a rare outing on the wing, stepped inside flanker Maama Molitika to touch down.

The Blues' own prodigy, 20-year-old Leigh Halfpenny - on for the injured Blair - raced through the visitors' defence on a mazy 50-yard gallop and a drop goal by Robinson ensured his good work did not go totally unrewarded and gave the home side a narrow half-time lead.

Cardiff scored next, however, after a remarkable 60-yard break by Tom James had been ended illegally by Byrne, who received a yellow card while Robinson slotted over the penalty.

A long-range kick by Hook kept Ospreys in touch and it needed two despairing tackles by Halfpenny to save the day as the visitors threw themselves into the search for a winning score.

Their sustained pressure was rewarded with barely five minutes left, a superb long pass from Hook finding Tiatia on the left to dive over.

Despite their last-ditch efforts, the Blues were unable to respond and the visitors were able to underline their status as the best team in Wales.