Ospreys 35-17 Dragons: Ospreys overpower local rivals

19-year-old Keelan Giles scored a brace for the hosts

Ospreys maintained their unbeaten home record this season with a 35-17 Guinness PRO12 victory over Welsh rivals Newport Gwent Dragons.

The home side, who have now beaten the Dragons 10 times in a row, registered five tries in the victory with 19-year-old wing Keelan Giles crossing twice to take his tally to eight tries in four games.

Flanker Dan Lydiate, a former Dragon, and hooker Scott Baldwin started for Ospreys after being released by Wales. However Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Sam Davies and seven forwards were absent because of International commitments.

Tavis Knoyle looks for a way through on his first start for Newport Gwent Dragons

Without fly-halves Biggar and Davies, centre Josh Matavesi stepped up to wear the number 10 jersey and he finished the afternoon having converted all of his side's tries.  

The Dragons were without three Wales squad players but former Welsh international Tavis Knoyle made his first start for the visitors after being released by Cardiff Blues.

Ospreys went into half-time 14-3 up - but they did not have things all their own way in the opening quarter.

First Nick Macleod kicked a penalty within the opening five minutes following a high tackle, before prop Dmitri Arhip was handed a yellow card for leading with the arm.

The card put the home side on the back foot but Dragons failed to make the most of the one-man advantage.

Back to 15 men, Ospreys scored their opening try on 22 minutes when Tom Habberfield squeezed over after darting down the blindside off a five-metre scrum.

Scott Baldwin scored one of Ospreys' five tries

Ospreys continued to pile on the pressure but the second try did not come until the 40th minute when Scott Baldwin crashed over after coming off the back of a drive from a lineout.

After the break, Giles immediately made his impact felt with a brace. First, he was on the end of a skillful offload from Matavesi and next, he kicked a loose ball up field and showcased his pace to secure the bonus-point score.

Replacement Brendon Leonard ran in for Ospreys fifth try before Dragons struck back as they continued to work hard for the full eighty.

The visitors' reward for their endeavour came in the form of two tries, one from Matthew Screech and Pat Howard, but it was too little, too late.