Ospreys beat Cardiff 33-29 to earn shock play-off spot

United Rugby Championship

Cardiff (12) 29

Tries: Cabango, Grady 2, Hamer-Webb Cons: De Beer, Thomas 2 Pen: Thomas

Ospreys: (12) 33

Tries: Smith 2, Tipuric, Morgan, Penalty Cons: Edwards 3

Ospreys clinched a shock place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs with a bonus-point victory over rivals Cardiff.

Toby Booth's side began the weekend in 11th place and requiring a remarkable series of results to break into the top eight.

But defeats for Connacht, Edinburgh and Lions opened the door for the Swansea--based region to snatch a dramatic late play-off berth.

They seized the chance with a five-try victory in the second of Saturday's Judgement Day match at Cardiff City Stadium.

The bonus-point win took them level on points with Lions, but they moved into eighth courtesy of winning for the 10th time in the competition, one more victory than the South African side.

Nicky Smith (twice), Justin Tipuric and Luke Morgan all crossed before a late penalty try sealed the win.

Cardiff hit back through Theo Cabango, who limped off with a worrying injury, before Mason Grady scored twice either side of Gabriel Hamer-Webb's try.

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Theo Cabango, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), Mason Grady; Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Rhys Carre, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rory Thornton, Ben Donnell, James Botham, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Seb Davies, Lopeti Timani, Willis Halaholo, Jacob Beetham, Gabriel Hamer-Webb

Sin bin: Donnell (49)

Red card: Davies (76)

Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards Reuben Morgan-Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Huw Sutton, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Victor Sekekete, Harri Deaves, Luke Davies, Owen Williams, Harri Houston.

Sin bin: L Davies (79)

Referee: Adam Jones

Assistant referees: Maickel English, Elgan Williams (WRU)

TMO: Tom Spurrier (WRU)