Cardiff beat Ospreys to improve URC play-off hopes

Cardiff beat Ospreys to improve URC play-off hopesImage source, Huw Evans AgencyImage caption, Cardiff lock Rory Thornton is a former Ospreys playerByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished39 minutes ago8 CommentsUnited Rugby ChampionshipCardiff (10) 24Tries: Thornton, Belcher, D Thomas Cons: Sheedy 3 Pens: SheedyOspreys (7) 21Tries: K Williams, Walsh, Edwards Cons: Edwards 3Cardiff improved their United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off hopes with victory in a compelling Welsh derby against Ospreys at the Arms Park.The victory lifted the Blue and Blacks to fourth in the table with their rivals for a top-eight finish – and a place in the play-offs – all playing on Saturday.Cardiff scored tries through lock Rory Thornton, captain Liam Belcher and flanker Dan Thomas while Callum Sheedy kicked nine points.Ospreys wing Daniel Kasende was shown a 20-minute red card in the first half for dangerous play.There were further yellow cards for centre Owen Watkin and fly-half Dan Edwards as Ospreys played almost half the game with fewer than 15 players on the field.Cardiff duo Belcher and lock McNally were also shown yellow cards in a match that was rarely 15 against 15.Ospreys centre Keiran Williams scored a first-half try, while late scores from full-back Jack Walsh and Edwards set up a dramatic finale, but Cardiff clung on.It was Cardiff's first win against Ospreys at the Arms Park since 2007 and played in front of 12,036 fans with Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney in the crowd.The home side have also gone three points clear in the battle for the Welsh Shield.This is a sub-competition within the league which acts as a domestic championship to determine local bragging rights.It is separate from the main URC league table and the winner is decided by head-to-head matches, not league positions, during the regular season. Ospreys face Scarlets on Saturday, 9 May in Bridgend and will need a win to usurp current holders Cardiff.No longer Y11 derby after drama...