Ophir denied by Holywood

Ophir first XV, sponsored by Biffa and MCW Properties made a return to
Magowan Park after a number of postponed home games due to the recent
weather.

Bolstered by the return of a number of key players, Ophir met Holywood
in a double header, to contest both a Qualifying 3 league game and a
Gordon West Quarter Final.

Holywood kicked off the game and Ophir didn't take long to get into
gear. In the first 20 minutes, Ophir set up driving mauls from lineouts
within the opponent 22 yard line. On two separate occasions, the Ophir
Number 8 scored from the back of the maul.

The remainder of the first half was seen out with a midfield battle.
Then a few minutes before half time, Holywood put Ophir under pressure,
leading to Ophir to failing to clear their lines and Holywood scoring an
unconverted try before the whistle.

Holywood came out of the blocks much faster than Ophir in the 2nd half
and set the tone for the rest of the game.

In sticky conditions under foot Holywood began to ramp up the pressure
and the Holywood out half spotted an Ophir tight forward defending in
midfield. He ran at a soft shoulder and made a line break. He was
supported on his inside shoulder by his inside centre who dove over the
line. The score now sitting at 12-14 to Holywood.

With the conditions making handling difficult a number of knocks on
meant Holywood had a handful of opportunities from scrums to run at the
Ophir back line. The defensive line, led by Ophir out half, James
Milligan held strong, but Ophir failed to get back into the Holywood 22
in order to have a chance to win the game.

A bonus point for staying within 7 points of their opponents is all that
Ophir took from this home.

Ophir will be hoping to reignite things with an away trip to Newry this
coming Saturday.

Final Score 12-14 to Holywood

Man of the Match - Dee O'Reilly

1. Lee Foster
2. J.J Flood
3. Christopher Phillips
4. Phillip Adgey
5. Sean O'Hare
6. Jonathan Murphy
7. Patrick McCabe
8. Luke Lewis
9. Karl Davis
10. James Milligan
11. David O'Reilly
12. Mark Graham
13. Sam Harvey
14. Stephen Hastings
15. Alan Davison