Pro14: Ospreys 46-14 Cheetahs

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George North of Ospreys dives in to score a tryImage source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Ospreys and Wales wing George North added another try to the two he scored last week

Guinness Pro14: Ospreys v Cheetahs

Ospreys (22) 46

Tries: AW Jones 2, Otten, North, Jeffries, Tipuric 2 Cons: Davies 4 Pens: Davies

Cheetahs (7) 14

Tries: Wiese, Maxwane Cons: Schoeman 2

Two tries from Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones each guided the Ospreys to a second Pro14 win as the region outclassed Cheetahs in Swansea.

Following a narrow win over Edinburgh, the seven-try Ospreys stormed to a bonus point victory.

Other tries from Scott Otten, George North and Alex Jeffries sealed the win.

The Ospreys had an injury concern with Wales centre Scott Williams forced off the field with a hamstring problem.

Wales prop Nicky Smith and full-back Dan Evans were also forced off with head injuries.

Ospreys were indebted to another dominant performance from captain Tipuric who picked up the man-of-the-match accolade for a second week running.

The man who he has replaced as Ospreys skipper, Wales lock Jones, was equally impressive while North also looked again sharp in attack.

Outside-half Sam Davies produced an assured display while the home forwards demonstrated their power with four of the seven tries coming from driving lineouts.

Ospreys made two changes with Davies replacing the injured Luke Price who broke his leg during the first-half of the 17-13 win over Edinburgh.

Wing Tom Williams also made his league debut in place of Hanno Dirksen.

Cheetahs were missing Oupa Mohoje who has been sidelined after suffering an ACL tear in the 38-0 defeat against Munster last weekend.

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Ospreys fly-half Sam Davies made his Wales debut versus Australia as a substitute in November 2016

Ospreys made a storming start with Alun Wyn Jones cantering over from an attacking lineout after being provided by a sublime inside pass from Tipuric. Sam Davies converted.

Cheetahs responded with a try from number eight Jasper Wiese before the Ospreys quickly replied.

North starred with two tries last week on his competitive debut and turned provider this time after coming off the left wing and producing a rampaging run following a well worked back move.

After North was hauled down five metres short, hooker Otten dived over.

Ospreys suffered a blow when full-back Evans was forced off the field after being caught awkwardly trying to tackle opposite number Malcom Jaer. He was replaced by James Hook.

This failed to disrupt the Ospreys and Scott Williams' sweeping long bounce pass allowed North to dive over in the corner for the hosts' third try.

Davies slotted over a penalty to give the Ospreys a 22-7 half-time lead before Williams worryingly limped off in the second-half.

A raft of replacement changes failed to disrupt the Ospreys with Jeffries and Tipuric both being driven over for tries from attacking lineouts.

Cheetahs wing Rabz Rabz Maxwane provided the individual moment of the match with the visitors second try after collecting his own chip to power over.

Ospreys reverted to type when Tipuric was again driven over from before the tireless Wales lock Jones powered over for his second try to provide the fitting finale.

Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke told BBC Sport Wales:

"There were elements of that performance which were pleasing.

"If you were giving it an overall grading you would say you were satisfied with the performance.

"At times we were good at other times we needed to tidy up but the scoreboard was particularly pleasing.

"Justin is an outstanding player anyway but he has really responded to the captaincy role.

"He goes about his business efficiently and quietly and leads by example and he has a few other good men out there who lead with him."

Ospreys: Evans; North, Williams, Watkin, T Williams; S Davies, A Davies; Smith, Otten, Botha, B Davies, AW Jones, Lydiate, Tipuric (capt), King.

Replacements: Baldwin, R Jones, Jeffries, Beard, Cross, Habberfield, Hook, J Thomas.

Cheetahs: Jaer; Maxwane, Janse van Rensburg, Lee, Small-Smith; Schoeman, Venter (capt); Nche, du Toit, de Bruin, Basson, du Preez, Pokomela, Davis, Wiese

Replacements: Dewba, Marais, Coetzee, Steenkamp, Olivier, Meyer, Stapleberg/van der Merwe, Eksteen

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant referees: George Clancy (IRFU), Gareth John (WRU)

TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)

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