DELIGHT FOR OPHIR FIRSTS

rivals at the Cottonmount last Saturday. Supported by MCW properties and Biffa, the Mallusk team were hoping to continue their 2013 – 2014 undefeated League and Cup run in this latest round of the Gordon West Cup.
The optimism seemed justified – from the kick off the Ophir pack turned over possession, scrum half Karl Davis broke clear and winger Stevie Hastings in close support touched down under the posts with the game barely a minute old. David Walker converted easily. Ophir’s hard running backs presented a stern test for the Armoy tackling but a combination of good defence and some poor Ophir ball handling prevented any breakthrough until 10 minutes later when Ophir centre, Cillian Rooney held on to a pass with his fingertips and scored to the left of the posts. Again Walker converted. Leading 14-0 Ophir appeared to relax just a little too much. With their heavy pack, Armoy stormed up to the opposition 22 and were unfortunate to miss a penalty opportunity when Ophir dived over the ball in a ruck. But it did serve as a wake up call and on the half hour, after a sidestepping charge from Steven Hastings, out half James Milligan broke clear to score Ophir’s third try. Walker converted and from the restart, Ophir again brought play to the Armoy line. The Armoy tight head prop was yellow carded for preventing Ophir taking a quick penalty and with the man advantage second row Neil Gray took the ball from a line out and burst through to touch down in the corner. At the break, Ophir led 26-0.

The second half was a repeat of the first, with Ophir dominating the set pieces and allowing very few chances to Armoy. And for a change the home team held the ball better in passing, providing more scoring opportunities. Karl Davis got his just reward for all the ground he had gained in the first half with a superb individual try. This was closely followed by a touch down from back row David Lucas, breaking through the middle of the Armoy defence. Armoy at last got some good possession and took play to the Ophir line but the defence held firm and James Milligan set off on a splendid run from behind his own line, only to be stopped at half way by the Armoy full back. More tries were inevitable and centre Alan Davison scored two of them within a space of 5 minutes. Neil Gray finished off the afternoon, driven over by the Ophir pack to score his second. The final score was Ophir 68, Armoy 0.