Last Saturday ay the Cottonmount, Mallusk, Ophir Seconds hosted Queen’s University Fourths in a Minor League match. The pitch was soft, but playable and the light wind gave neither side an advantage.



Queen’s arrived for the match with no recognised prop forwards and the game was therefore played with uncontested scrums. Nevertheless the visitors kicked off and using their mobile forwards gained good ground from retained loose possession. And in the 5th minute they bulldozed their way over the Ophir line to open their scoring with a fine try. The conversion was missed but Ophir lost their (winger?) Paddy McAuley in the process, stretchered off with an ankle injury. For the next 10 minutes, Ophir were pinned into their own half by the visitors, who took advantage of the home team’s inability to keep the ball for any sustained period of play. The Ophir defence was holding reasonably well but then a clever jinking run from the Queen’s out half, avoiding at least three despairing tackles, took him triumphantly under the posts. The conversion was good and Queen’s led by 12 points to nil. But then the Ophir support had something to encourage them when the home side at last managed to plogh their way towards the Queen’s line. The forward impetus was looking good but then a Queen’s boot lashed the ball upfield and the advantage was lost. Indeed, the Queen’s out half again pounced on the ball and raced in for his side’s third try, comfortably converted to put the visitors in the lead by 19 points to nil at half time.



For the early part of the second half Ophir fared little better in possession or territory. But then came a turnaround. The Ophir pack began to support the runners much better and the ball was retained at the breakdown. They gained ground to the edge of the Queen’s line but a dropped ball led to a 22 drop out. Ophir recovered and four minutes later, from a line out and then a short penalty, Ophir centre Willie Cully crashed through the Queen’s defence to score an excellent try. Ivan Smith narrowly missed the conversion. This score signalled a spirited improvement in Ophir’s play, and with inspired and determined running from the likes of Sean Lewis, Bobby Press and Adam Smith, who always gained ground in possession, Ophir began to look like an achieving team rather than hopeful individuals. Despite Queen’s increasing their lead from a successful penalty kick, Ophir’s flying winger, Curtis Gilmore could not be stopped from crossing the line in the corner for an excellent try in the 30th minute of the half. There may have been a hint of foot in touch in Curtis’ sprint to the line but the failure of Queen’s to provide a touch judge for the match ensured there was no controversy. And so the match ended at Ophir 10, Queen’s 22 but the home team had the satisfaction of a determined comeback to provide some confidence for their next encounter, scheduled to be against Titans at the Valley Park. The First XV entertain Donegal at the Cottonmount.

Last Saturday at the Valley Park, Ophir met Lurgan in their latest group stage match in the Gordon West Cup. Given the weather over the past few weeks, the pitch was very heavy, but playable. Weather conditions were fine with a wind favouring Ophir in the first half.


Ophir didn’t take long to make an impact on the game. Right from the kick off the forwards regained possession and stormed up the pitch only to be stopped by very good Lurgan tackling. However, the home team maintained the pressure and within 4 minutes opened their scoring with a try from out half Johnny Thompson. Winger, Ron Bell was successful with the conversion to put Ophir 7-0 in the lead. And that pattern was sustained throughout the whole of the first half. Despite losing back row Will Lucas with a twisted ankle, Ophir barely let Lurgan out of their own half for the remainder of the match. On the 15th minute, second row, Gareth Anderson was over the Lurgan try line but a knock on denied him the score. Shortly after, David O’Reilly was in a similar position but the ball was knocked out of his grasp. From the ensuing scrum, Ophir stole possession and back row David Lucas crashed over close to the touchline. The conversion was missed, but Ophir were brimming with confidence and snuffing out any rare attack from Lurgan who didn’t help their cause by some aimless kicking. However the visitors did manage to claw back 3 points from a penalty for Ophir holding on to the ball on the ground after the tackle. It proved to be a temporary bonus when Karl Davis crossed the line following third phase possession by the pack. Winger Anthony Davis then scored in the corner. At half time Ophir led by 22 points to 3.



The second half reflected the first, with Ophir largely dominating territory and possession. Lurgan managed a couple of good runs but the Ophir defence managed to recover in time. Then, to add to the visitor’s frustration, 20 minutes into the half, and just as they were within 5 metres of the Ophir line, Johnny Thompson intercepted a pass and sprinted the length of the pitch to score. Ophir maintained their superiority, content to let the match become dull and boring in the middle of the park. Spectators’ conversation turned to more interesting affairs until Lurgan at last got a deserved consolation try close to the final whistle. The final score was Ophir 27, Lurgan 10.



Next Saturday, Ophir are scheduled to travel to Larne but fixtures may change in order to meet Ulster Branch requirements to complete Cup matches.

1st Prize - Bobby Press :- £150

2nd Prize - Bobby Press :- £50

3rd Prize - Elsie Frazer :- Turkey

4th Prize - Lindsay Bell:- Bottle of Spirits

5th Prize - Alice Wood:- Christmas Ham

6th Prize - Mr & Mrs O’Kane :- Mystery Prize

Sellers Prize - Bobby Press: - £20

OPHIR LOSE OUT

Last Saturday, Ophir travelled across town to meet Civil Service in the Qualifying League, Section 3.
Considering the heavy rainfall in recent days, the pitch at Stormont was in remarkably good condition
and ideal for an open running game of rugby.

Unfortunately for Ophir, it was Civil Service who made almost all the running. Within a minute of kicking
off their pack drove the Ophir forwards backwards and scored close to the touchline. The difficult conversion
was successful and Civil Service led by 7 points to nil. Ophir rallied somewhat and made good ground, thanks
to jinking runs from Michael Smith and Alan O’Neill. But the Ophir support was rarely on the ball and Service
were continually able to steal possession and thwart any serious threat to their line. Added to that, the Ophir
line out was poor, as was the scrum, and so the back line was denied any opportunity to launch a sustained
assault on the Service defence. However, 8 minutes into the match, Ophir out half James Milligan successfully
kicked a penalty to give the visiting team some hope. That hope died a death soon after. Ophir lost Richard Dunseath
to a neck injury and for the next 25 minutes, the match descended into a dour midfield struggle with neither side providing
much in the way of entertainment for the few spectators. However, just before half time the Civil Service centre broke
clear and scored midway between the posts and the touchline. The conversion attempt hit the post, but at half time
they led by 12 points to 3.



The second half got even worse for Ophir. 6 minutes after the restart Civil Service again crossed the Ophir line
at the corner flag. The conversion was missed. Ophir strived to get back into the game but still suffered from a
lack of support at the breakdown. Neither was there much rhythm in the game as it was repeatedly halted for injuries.
In the gathering gloom, Civil Service touched down again despite a valiant last ditch tackle by Ophir winger
Michael Smith. The final scoreline was civil Service 22, Ophir 3.



Meanwhile Ophir’s Second XV game at Ballyclare had to be abandoned due to an injury to the referee.
Ophir were losing by 10 points to 7 at the time, but the match will have to be rearranged.



Next week Ophir visit Holywood on Wednesday evening for a Gordon West Cup match and on Saturday
are at home to Larne. The Seconds are also at the Cottonmount on Saturday, hosting Enniskillen.

More pics added from the Grosvenor mud fest. Thanks to Davy Kerr for providing the pictures.

Sign-in & click on Image Gallery to see Christmas dinner pics.

U19's receive thier new kit, very kindly donated by Stanley Phillips.

Ophir Poker Night
Congratulations to James Brownlee & Stevie Halliday who shared the pot
at the Ophir Poker night. A great night was had by all.