CRYMYCH rugby star Ifan Phillips grabbed the limelight with two tries in Ospreys' opening 36-14 Pro14 Rainbow Cup win over Cardiff Blues.

The young forward twice crossed the line, with further scores from Keiran Williams, Matthew Aubrey, Sam Cross and Sam Parry sealing the victory.

The 25 year-old hooker, a former pupil at Ysgol y Preseli, recently put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him at the Liberty for at least two seasons.

Phillips - whose father Kevin played in one of Welsh rugby’s most famous front rows at Neath - has been involved with Ospreys for the past five years.

He made his mark whilst playing for his home club Crymych, and in the Welsh Premiership for Neath, and said he was delighted to take his chances.

“It’s been all about taking that opportunity when it’s given to you and running with it," said Phillips, who has represented Wales at Under 20s level.

"Toby (Booth) always says to make sure you are ready, and that’s all you can do.

“We have four quality hookers here and competition throughout the squad, and that pushes everyone to be better everyday.

"Everyone is looking to progress, and is pushing to be the first-choice in the team - and we all push each other because of that, which is a big drive for us all."

With Phillips to the fore, Ospreys' scrum dominance was one of the features of the first half , and the hooker crossed for an early try from a driving lineout.

Phillips also went over for the Ospreys fourth, bonus point try in a carbon copy of his first score, charging over following a monstrous maul, to make it 24-0.

Centre Max Llewellyn and Ellis Bevan responded with Cardiff Blues' tries, but the dominant Ospreys emerged as convincing winners on the day.

“It wasn’t perfect, we know the break down threat was going to be tough," said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.

"We didn’t get everything right there, so there’s improvement in us. But when we did, I thought we looked a potent side, especially in the back three.

"We put our best foot forward and tried to be positive and we got some reward from that.”