RABO DIRECT PRO 12 // TREVISO V OSPREYS

We are alive and though our bodies lie alone here in the dark, our spirits rise to carry the fire and light the spark to stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart - We Are Alive (2012) 

 Throw back to the end of August of last year when the Ospreys made the trip out to Italy to face Benetton Treviso in their first match of the 2012/13 season. When they arrived in the usually sunny and warm Italy they were greeted with something quite unexpected. As the Swansea based team ran out on to the field they were met with a perfect storm - wind, rain and even the threat of thunder and lightning. Ospreys went on to loose the game 12 -6 and little did they know but this was an omen for what the men in black were to suffer throughout the season - a rough ride of wins and losses that would see them end outside of the playoffs only a few months after they lifted the trophy as champions of the Pro 12. What was going to be the Ospreys' fate this time around?

This time there was no need for wellingtons and coats as the Treviso fans sat in the stands in summer clothes peeking at the play through their dark shaded sunglasses. Despite the fashionable crowd the play in the first few minutes was anything but with missed passes and knock ons plaguing phases. Although, the Ospreys' set pieces looked good with the pack controlling the first scrum that came just after 2 minutes of play and by trying a new three man line-out, different to their 5 and 7 man options last season, they managed a penalty in the following phase.

Despite the home side showing their determination to score points with Alberto di Bernardo just going wide with an attempted drop goal, it was the Ospreys who knew that they needed to score tries this season after only managing 4 bonus points in the whole of last year - the same as the Dragons and Connaught. With a new coaching team in former London Welsh pair, Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones, the Ospreys began to look comfortable and almost confident in their play and with 22 minutes on the clock the Ospreys' Scott Baldwin crossed over the white wash to put the team ahead and with Biggar converting the score soon read 3-10. 

It seems as if the most popular soundtrack to this Pro 12 season (so far) is the sweet melodic sound of the whistle (read - annoying, spine-tingling(not in a good way) sound). Saturday night's referee, Neil Patterson, blew his whistle at every opportunity that was possible and even at times when there was no real evidence of a need for a whistle to be blown. Understandably referees will be much more strict with the new season starting and with the new rules regarding scrummaging and the use of the TMO but there should be a some sense in the amount of times a whistle should be blown in every match - sticatto games are much less interesting to watch and, I would presume, much less exciting for the players. 

Despite the Ospreys controlling most of the game, Treviso showed some really great phases. Just before the half hour mark the Italian side produced a driving maul that made over 15 meters before crashing to the ground and after numerous penalties the visitors were but one point up, going in to half time 9-10. For both teams the first half was a story of some good phases but no one being able to finish them off with a score - a lot of almosts and nearlys. 

The second half began similar to the first with neither team's skills being up-to-scratch and the ref giving away two penalties in a minute and a half. It was the Osprey's Dan Biggar who kept the visiting side in the game as he kicked their way closer to a win with numerous drop goals and penalties. These kicks were needed as Treviso hit back with 65 minutes on the clock with Simone Favaro scoring his side's first try of the season to make the score 19-21. 

Despite Treviso laying on the pressure in the last few minutes of the game it was the Ospreys' defence that was awarded with a penalty allowing them to stretch their lead to 19-24 and to finish their first game of the season with a win. But despite seeing Lions such as Adam Jones back on the field the Ospreys will be concerned with the loss of Ryan Jones just after half time as the Osprey's captain left the field clutching his arm. A win is a win but the Ospreys will look to improve on their performance as they face Leinster away in their next match.