Cheetahs pipped at the death by Ospreys

Cape Town - The Cheetahs conceded a 78th-minute try to slump to a 27-26 defeat against the Ospreys in their PRO14 clash in Swansea on Saturday.

The Cheetahs produced all the early pressure and took a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld and lock Reniel Hugo.

Ospreys flyhalf Sam Davies reduced the deficit with a penalty, before Ospreys centre Ashley Beck, who would be named man of the match, crossed early in the second half.

The Cheetahs extended their lead through tries from centre Nico Lee and wing Craig Barry, but the Ospreys stayed in the contest as flank Sam Cross sprinted over to set up a tense finale which saw replacement hooker Ifan Phillips dot down and Davies added the conversion to snatch the win.

Scorers:

Ospreys

Tries: Ashley Beck, Sam Cross, Ifan Phillips

Conversions: Sam Davies (3)

Penalties: Davies (2)

Cheetahs

Tries: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Reniel Hugo, Nico Lee, Craig Barry

Conversions: Neil Marais (3)

Teams:

Ospreys 

15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Tom Habberfield (captain), 10 Sam Davies, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams 8 Sam Cross, 7 Guy Mercer, 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 James King, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith

Substitutes: 16 Ifan Phillips, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Alex Jeffries, 20 James Hook, 21 Luke Price, 22 Owen Watkin, 23 Hanno Dirksen

Cheetahs 

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais

Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Renier Bernardo, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Luther Obi