'COMPOSURE' is a buzz word in rugby but we will have to show more of it against the Ospreys tonight to avoid the familiar feeling we had after last Sunday's game against Edinburgh.

It was yet another narrow defeat – 16-15 this time – and at times we are our own worst enemy.

Missed opportunities and ill-discipline ultimately cost us. During the game it felt like we weren't taking half-chances but watching them back in analysis we are certainly creating big opportunities, we just have to finish them.

Keeping their points to a minimum is just as important. All 16 of Edinburgh's points came from our mistakes – there were no magic moves or missed tackles against superstar players.

Sport is full of clichés but we have to 'set our stall out' – it's vital to start well because so many games are shaped by what happens early on.

It's easy to point to the final stages and I know that there may have been some controversy about the decision to take a quick tap when we had been awarded a penalty a couple of metres inside our own half.

It was a 50/50 kick at best and hindsight is a wonderful thing, had Carl Meyer smacked it over then the tone of this column would be a lot different.

But just as important as that moment was the way that we ended the first half – we applied a lot of pressure on their line with Hallam Amos bundled into touch and both me and Phil Price were held up over the line.

We had to settle for three points and being 6-3 down wouldn't have been a bad effort into a wind but then a naive penalty with 30 seconds from half-time and Edinburgh went 9-3 with the final kick of the half.

You just can't afford to do things like that and it was similar after Hallam had gone over for his first try a few minutes after the restart; we gave away a penalty that let them get in position for a try from a driving lineout. A series of decisions not going our way, lack of territory and missed chances are a recipe for defeat at this level.

It's so frustrating but luckily we have a Welsh derby to look forward to and I've not doubt we can get the win as long as we play smart.

The Ospreys are a quality side with some exceptional individuals but the Scarlets showed last week that it's about showing respect but also backing yourself.

As ever the contact area will be key and we have to be better at getting out of our own half than we were against Edinburgh; hopefully the weather isn't such a factor as it has over the last few months and our kickers boots are fired up.

We've got a big month or so to go with three Welsh derbies in the Guinness Pro12 and hopefully more than just a European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Gloucester to come.

We've had a good week at training with a few home truths but we've also not gone overboard lamenting another defeat. It's not a case of going back to the drawing board, we just have to be honest with each other and execute a simple gameplan.

South Wales Argus:

ON the coaching front, it was great to enjoy a hard-fought derby win with Newport against Cross Keys at Rodney Parade.

The game was a massively important in the battle for the Premiership play-offs and it was pleasing that the boys ground it out against a rival.

It was 0-0 after a 'sizzling' first half and we showed great character to come out on top in a bit of an arm wrestle in tough conditions.

It was a fantastic team effort and as ever the pack provided a great platform with a solid scrum and much disruption of opposition lineout.

I do, however, have to give a special mention for our wingers Jonny Morris and Elliot Frewen, who have been stand out players all season in attack and especially defence, punching well above their weight, and our very own 'Bastareaud' in midfield – Wes Cunliffe.

He has been in fantastic form since moving in from wing to cover for injuries, excelling to make it his position.

Wes sums up the attitude of the team in general at the moment, keen to develop his game, not only in attack but in defence.

A winning attitude is now in the environment in Newport and as a team an identity is started to be created.

To get to the top of this league we need to continue to work on the finer details and beat four quality teams who are fighting for play-off positions.