Ophir enjoy first home win of the season

got back into action last Saturday, hosting a visit by Strabane Firsts in the Qualifying League, Section 3. When the teams met in County Tyrone, the home side had a narrow victory.

Conditions were ideal for open running rugby but surprisingly both sides started off with a bout of kicking up and down the pitch, getting them nowhere. Then Ophir settled to the task and after a smashing break from scrum half Karl Davis, prop Chris Phillips drove over for the first score. James Milligan missed the conversion from the touchline. Strabane responded within 5 minutes to level the scores before taking the lead on the half hour mark with a try on the left wing, brilliantly converted. Ophir responded immediately with Davis again making the crucial break and this time dropping over the line himself, ably supported by James Milligan. Before half time Strabane landed a penalty to put them 15 - 10 ahead.

Ophir were out of the blocks quickly in the second half, winning a scrum against the head on the Strabane 22 metre line. The ball was swept out to the left wing and Stevie Hastings dived through a tackle to score. All square, but Strabane then restored their lead with another successful penalty. Back came Ophir, with Chris Phillips second try of the match, driven over by the rampant Ophir pack. 10 minutes later Ophir number 8 David Lucas took a quick penalty on the half way line - Karl Davis made good ground and passed to James Milligan who broke through the Strabane defence to score. Milligan converted his own try. With 10 minutes to go Ophir were dominating possession and flanker Johnny Murphy wriggled through the defence to score another converted try. But Strabane weren't finished; Ophir out half Johnny Greer made a tremendous try saving tackle but on the visitors next attack, their scrum half made a great break and touched down under the Ophir posts for another 7 points. However Ophir came back well and were threatening the Strabane line when the ref blew for full time. The final score - Ophir 34, Strabane 25.

Ophir (15-9) Sam Harvey, Dean McNeill, Alan Davison, James Milligan, Steven Hastings, Jonny Greer, Karl Davis, (1-8) Matt Campbell, John-Joe Flood, Chris Phillips, Philip Adgey, Paddy McCabe, Conor Bond, Jonny Murphy, David Lucas.

Match report by Ken McMordie