Stop! Hammer Time!!

Stop! Hammer Time at Magowan Park.

Ophir first XV, sponsored by Biffa and MCW Properties took on Civil Service amongst wintery conditions in Mallusk.

Ophir knew that a win would consolidate their position in Kukri Q3.

With the conditions underfoot treacherous, Ophir set about utilising their experienced pack to steal the upper hand over their opposition.

From the first scrum, it was obvious that Ophir would dominate the set piece, pushing Service off their own ball, drawing a penalty - which James Milligan dispatched into the corner for an attacking line out.

Ophir hooker John-Joe Flood met openside Jonny Murphy with his line out to set up a driving maul. The ball was transferred to veteran Number 8 Neil 'Hammer' Gray who lent his bulk to the maul and dotted down in the corner. Sideline conversion kicked by James Milligan.

After the kick off, Ophir worked their way back into the Service 22 when James Milligan decided to hoist a high kick into the opposition dead ball area. The ball was well judged and contestable. Winger Steven Hastings put his opposite number under enough pressure to force the ball to be put over the dead ball line by the Service winger resulting in an attacking 5 metre scrum for Ophir.

The Ophir scrum set about pushing the service pack over their own line, resulting in Neil Gray grabbing his second. Sideline conversion by James Milligan.

The next points went to service via a penalty dispatched by their fullback after an Ophir player was offside in midfield.

Service gave away a penalty shortly after the kick off and again James Milligan punished them by finding excellent territory. Ophir set up another maul but this time skipper and 9 Karl Davis got in on the forward's act by getting involved in the maul and then breaking off to score a try.

A carbon copy of this try occurred 10 minutes later resulting in Davis getting his second of the match. Milligan converted both of these then Service kicked another penalty to leave the score 28-6 at half time.

Service lost their Prop to an apparent shoulder injury at half time. Although it gave Ophir the numerical advantage, it negated their dominance at the set piece and allowed Service some ball from their own uncontested scrums.

The second half was largely uneventful, but it did give one highlight in that Neil Gray completed his day with another maul based try to pick up his hat trick. The conversion was missed.

Late on in the game, due to repeated infringements on their own line Ophir gave away a penalty try, strangely, the conversion was missed.

Final score 33-11 to Ophir. A bonus point victory.

Ophir now look forward to finishing the season with two home games before preparing for an assault on Q3 next season, whist Service face relegation from the league.

MoM Neil 'Hammer' Gray

1. Matt Campbell
2. John-Joe Flood
3. Chris Phillips
4. Sean O'Hare
5. Philip Adgey
6. Jonny Murphy
7. Daniel McNeil
8. Neil Gray
9. Karl Davis
10. James Milligan
11. Steven Hastings
12. Mark Graham
13. Sam Harvey
14. Anthony Davis
15. Alan Davis
16. C. Ken Campbell