Ophir played their first away match of the season at Portadown on Sunday 16th Oct. Portadown were coming off the back of a big win at North Down so Ophir knew it would be a tough challenge. Conditions were perfect for running rugby, a dry day with no wind.... the pitch was a bit hilly but nothing compared to Magowan Park (if you know, you know).

Ophir got on the score sheet early on with a brilliant try by Natasha Milligan who cut through the midfield following an awesome lineout, straight from the training paddock, be sure to watch the video. Megan Finney added to Natasha's try with one of her own. Megan caught a high ball outside the Portadown 22 as Portadown tried to clear their lines, she immediately looked up, identified the space, and attacked at pace. The key to the score was the acceleration through the tackle made by the covering Portadown defence, allowing Megan to score under the posts. Megan added the conversion.

Cindy Cancino also got on the score sheet with another decisive break through midfield following some good phase play. Cindy, using her power and pace, rounded her opposite number with a great running line and got over the line despite the last ditch efforts by the Portadown #8. The bonus point try came before half time with an awesome bit of pressure by the Ophir defence which resulted in a dropped pass by Portadown outside their 22, Natasha kicked the ball on under pressure from the Portadown defence, remaining composed, Natasha was able to remain in control of the ball showing some lovely football skills to kick it over the line, scoring under the posts. Molly Dixon got the conversion. Portadown were able to get a try of their own before half time following a nice 'rip' out of contact by their #8 who then had the speed and power to round the disorganised Ophir defence to score under the posts. Portadown got the conversion.

The second half was a similar story to the first half with Ophir dominating possession and territory. Aoife Burgess came on to play #9. The Ophir backs looked dangerous everytime they touched the ball. Part way through the 2nd half Ophir drove their way to the Portadown 22. Aoife made a lovely pass from the base of the ruck to the Out Half, Megan Finney put in a super miss pass in the midfield to the Ophir #13, Natasha put it through the hands to the Full Back Molly Dixon, who passed it to the Left Winger Natassia Coney, as the Portadown defence started to run out of numbers, Natassia put in the final pass to Ophir's Right Winger, Ciara McTaggart who had come all the way from the other wing to take the pass and go in in the corner. This was Ciara's first ever try for Ophir and is contender for try of the season, it was an excellent team try and demonstrates how far this team has developed.

To put the icing on the cake, Cindy Cancino got Ophir's 6th try of the day following an amazing break from Aoife Burgess. Aoife put enormous pressure on the Portadown #9 at a Portadown scrum resulting in Portadown dropping the ball, Aoife was alert and picked the ball up from the Half Way line and sprinted clear of the Portadown defence, Aoife got caught just shy of the try line. Ophir recycled the ball well with some great back row support from Jacki Lyons and Captain Michelle Fiddis. The ball was fed out wide and Cindy Cancino went in in the corner.

Team chat during the week building up to the match was 'Lets Build our Game'. Ophir want to play a 15 player game and that is just what they delivered against Portadown. Well done girls, it was a great game of rugby to watch and no doubt to play in. Players of the match went to Lucy Taylor in the Front Row, given for ball carrying ability, line breaks and line speed. The other Player of the Match went to Megan Finney playing at #10. Megan is still fairly new to the position but controlled the game brilliantly. The team were captained by Michelle Fiddis who was inspirational as a leader.

Next game is away to Cooke 2 in the first round of the Cup on Oct 30th, 1pm ko. Come along and give the girls your support.