Ospreys sealed an important 22-19 win over provincial rival Cardiff after Jarrod Evans missed a last-gasp penalty attempt. 

The result gives Ospreys some much needed momentum and means the team has won two consecutive games for the first time this season, having beaten the Scarlets last weekend.

Cardiff, meanwhile, has been impressive, overcoming Irish and South African opposition so far this term. Cardiff opened its Challenge Cup campaign with comfortable wins over Brive and the Newcastle Falcons.

On Sunday, the Blue and Blacks came out second-best at Cardiff Arms Park, forced to rue ill-discipline and late missed kicks.

Cardiff made the first move with only four minutes on the clock, when Tomos Williams launched a grubber kick into the Ospreys 22. As the ball slowed to a bobble, Jack Walsh misjudged its movement and was wrongfooted, giving Owen Lane the chance to kick the ball beyond the try line and touch down for the opening score.

Ospreys got one back through an efficiently constructed driving maul off the back of a lineout. Sam Parry, knowing the task ahead, controlled possession and steered the pack over the line to put his side on the score sheet.

Having seen the success of the opponents' driving maul, Cardiff produced one of its own approaching the half hour mark, meters from the Ospreys line, which was converted by Liam Belcher. This gave the hosts a slender 12-7 lead at the break, but that advantage quickly fell away early into the second period, following a comical series of events.

🎙 While Dai Young admits that a lack of discipline let his side down against Ospreys on New Year's Day, he says it was an occasion to remember in front of a packed out Cardiff Arms Park - and hopes to see the crowd return for next week's derby against Scarlets. pic.twitter.com/4jrw6y3MX9

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) January 1, 2023

It began with a Cardiff scrum deep in their 22. Taulupe Faletau picked up the ball from the base of the ruck and tried to carry, but he was stifled by some brilliant defensive work from fellow Welsh international Justin Tipuric.

Ospreys players then piled into the resulting ruck, placing added pressure on Williams, who attempted to clear the ball from the base. However, he sliced the kick horribly and inadvertently gave possession to Keiran Williams, who charged through a gap to score.

Sensing a momentum shift was on hand, Ospreys rallied 10 minutes later to get its third try from another rolling maul. This time, it was replacement prop Dewi Lake, who brought the honors, spinning through tackles to dive over the whitewash.

Another look at the try from Dewi Lake that put us in the lead.

🔵 Cardiff v Ospreys ⚫

🏉 #OurJourneyTogether | #BKTURC | #CARvOSP https://t.co/BYepUqulP4

— Ospreys (@ospreys) January 1, 2023

But Cardiff refused to back down and drew level when Evans delivered a precise cross-field kick to Josh Adams. The winger collected the kick-pass and sprinted past Alex Cuthbert to score in the corner.

More drama ensued, as Owen Williams missed a penalty, only to convert another attempt with two minutes remaining. Evans had the chance to steal a late draw with a penalty from the touchline, with the clock in the red, but he fractionally under hit the kick.

As the ball drifted beneath the bar, a mele of players tried to recover possession, but nothing was to come from it. So, as Ospreys celebrated, Cardiff appeared dejected, but the Blue and Blacks will have the chance to make amends next weekend when they face provincial rival, Scarlets.

Ospreys, meanwhile, will face a tricky upcoming test against URC league leading Leinster. For now, though, they can bask in the success of the recent run of form.

Hear what Head Coach Toby Booth had to say after the 19-22 victory over Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park here 👇🏻https://t.co/u8QZBIBDLR#OurJourneyTogether pic.twitter.com/En3R8DCi55

— Ospreys (@ospreys) January 1, 2023

"In conditions like that, the fundamentals of rugby take over, like set-piece and defense, which are things that we're known for," Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said. "But you also have to deliver, and the boys did that. Rugby is a collision game. Sometimes, you just have to go through the front door, and we dominated that area. To back up a derby win is special. We played the second half on our terms, and in tough games, it's about who can be the smartest."

Written by Stefan Frost