Evans scores four as Ospreys see off Scarlets
Four tries from full-back Dan Evans kept Ospreys in contention for Champions Cup qualification with a 29-20 victory over Dragons in Swansea.
Alongside Evans' try-scoring heroics, against his former club, Luke Price kicked seven points while Sam Davies added a further two points from his boot.
The Dragons scored two tries of their own courtesy of Rhodri Williams and Hallam Amos while Jason Tovey kicked 10 points.
The home side had an early try disallowed after Bradley Davies put Justin Tipuric over but the try was referred to the television match official and was subsequently ruled out for a forward pass.
💪 Simply scintillating from @DanEvs15 as the @ospreys full-back runs in four tries to down @dragonsrugby!
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 23, 2019
Dragons led at the break but couldn't quite hold on for a memorable away win #GUINNESSPRO14 #OSPvDRA pic.twitter.com/ygyzuWMRyZ
Ospreys continued to attack, with Olly Cracknell putting them on the front foot as he raced towards the try line. The big blindside was eventually hauled down but the ball was recycled for Evans to cross at the far right-hand corner.
The home side were camped in the visiting 22 and a second try looked inevitable. But Tipuric's pass was intercepted by Williams who ran in unopposed from 70 metres out, with Tovey converting to level the scores.
Dragons began to enjoy some territory and possession, with Tovey putting them into the lead with a straightforward penalty from in front of the posts, and with Ospreys pinned back near their own 22 a wild pass from Price was intercepted by Amos who touched down for the Dragons' second try.
Price knocked over a penalty for the hosts after Dragons were penalised at the scrum meaning Ospreys trailed 17-10 at the interval.
They came out firing in the second half, though, with Evans claiming his second score courtesy of a well-timed miss pass from Wales centre Owen Watkin.
But Ospreys made numerous handling errors in their own 22 after the restart, allowing Tovey to extend the Dragons' lead with another penalty.
Today’s man of the match goes to @DanEvs15 pic.twitter.com/bVAEdhz6fZ
— Ospreys (@ospreys) March 23, 2019
Ospreys now had the bit between their teeth, with Dragons struggling to cope with their pack.
Evans sealed his hat-trick as he hit a tremendous line off a well-timed pass from Luke Morgan to slice open the Dragons defence and score, with Price converting.
The hosts lay siege to the visiting line in the final quarter with their forwards making constant yards.
And with the Dragons defence on the back foot the ball was moved through the hands for Evans to score his fourth try with Davies kicking a touchline conversion.
