By Paul Jones
Dewi Lake scored a record equaling four tries in a European match for the Ospreys as he guided his side to a bonus-point 43-34 win in Pool 2 in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The Wales hooker converted three driving line-outs and also drove over for another from close range as home forwards just managed to outgun the superb Benetton threequarters.
Dewi Lake starred as Ospreys opened their Challenge Cup campaign with a bonus-point victory over Benetton 🏉#BBCRugby
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 10, 2023
Lake joined former Ireland and British & Irish Lions wing Tommy Bowe in scoring four tries in a game in European competition. Bowe’s four try haul came in the 2008-09 Heineken Cup and was also against Benetton in Swansea.
“First game in Europe, first win, bonus point, we couldn’t ask for more. It was a tough game and for large parts it was us score, kick off, they’d score, kick off, and we’d score,” said Lake.
“We worked through the week in terms of getting mauls going and things like that. I’m just lucky that I get to be the one on the end of it.”
The game quickly settled into its pattern with the power of the Ospreys pack being matched by the pace and panache of the Benetton back line. Lake, twice, and his fellow World Cup front rower Gareth Thomas, crossed for the Ospreys in the half, while Fijian wing Onisi Ratave and international flanker Sebastian Negri replied in kind.
This evenings EPCR @ChallengeCup_ Player of the Match 🤩 four try hero Dewi Lake 🤝
Bid for Dewi’s Match worn shirt here 👉 https://t.co/QhGsW5WS9b#TogetherAsOne | #OSPvBEN | #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/5HDCRTB2C5
— Ospreys (@ospreys) December 9, 2023
Both outside halves were faultless off the tee in the first half, Owen Williams kicking three conversions and opposite number Jacob Umaga matching that and adding a penalty. That meant there were only two points separating the two teams at the break.
Umaga started the second half with a 55 metres shot at goal, and just missed, before Lake bagged his hat-trick on the back of another driving line out in the 49th minute. That put the Ospreys back in front at 28-24, but they couldn’t hold onto their advantage.
A charged down clearance by full back Iestyn Hopkins then enabled Benetton to grab a foothold in the home 22 and conjure up a try in the corner for wing Paolo Odogwu. Umaga added the extras and the lead had changed hands for the third time.
Ospreys win! 🏉
Ospreys 43-34 Benetton#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/Uuymmzynnv
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 9, 2023
Lake’s fourth try made it a fourth change soon after and then skipper Morgan Morris took over at the back of another driving line-out to add a fifth try shortly after Benetton’s replacement prop Mirco Spagnolo had been sent to the sin-bin.
Jack Walsh converted that try to make it a two-score lead for the first time in the game. Walsh then swapped penalties with Umaga to deny the Italians a second bonus-point.
Dewi Lake has scored FOUR tries in this game! 🔥
Just 20 minutes remain ⏳
Ospreys 33-31 Benetton
Challenge Cup 🏆
Listen on @BBCSounds, @BBCRadioWales FM/DAB, DTV, 882 MW, & the @BBCSport online 📻#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/PztgZLzoLq
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 9, 2023