OPHIR FIRSTS PASS VIRGINA TEST

Top of the table Ophir, supported by MCW properties and Biffa, met second placed Virginia and the first half of the match fully lived up to expectations.

In an uncanny repeat of the start of the game against Armoy the previous week, a try was scored in the first minute but this time it was Ophir who were stunned by the speed of the Virginia back line and conceded the score in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed and the match then settled into a midfield battle, both teams producing great running rugby but neither able to penetrate the opposition defences. That is, until the half hour mark when the Ophir pack gained a bit of momentum 5 metres from the Virginia line and second row Kenny Morton squeezed through the tiniest of gaps to touch down. Full back David Walker was unlucky to miss the conversion but at least Ophir were back on level terms. As the half drew to a close, Virginia were pressing for the lead but the Ophir tackling was good enough to deny any scoring opportunity.

No one could have predicted the incredible change of fortune for Ophir in the second half. The forwards began to dominate the set pieces and with an abundance of possession, the backs ran everything at the visitor�s defence. Neil Gray was the first to break through, scoring close to the posts and Walker converted. Then the full back added a penalty to his tally, closely followed by tries for centre Cillian Rooney and out half James Milligan. Then Karl Davis combined brilliantly with brother Anthony to crash over the line. David Walker again converted and Ophir were 34 � 5 in the lead. But Virginia didn�t give in too easily, taking play to the Ophir line, and it was only an unfortunate misunderstanding in the line out that prevented a score. Back came Ophir and winger Stevie Hastings added his name to the scoresheet, neatly sidestepping his opposite number to touch down at the corner flag. Virginia then lost a player; red carded for throwing a punch, and Ophir rounded off a miserable day for the County Cavan men with a second try from James Milligan. The final score was Ophir 46, Virginia 5.