Ophir rfc 1st xv vs Holywood 1st xv

At the Cottonmount, Mallusk last Saturday, Ophir Firsts and Seconds, supported mainly by Biffa,  endured a torrid opening to their 2016/2017 League campaign.  Holywood and Academy Thirds provided tough opposition and at the end of the afternoon the home teams had nothing but bruises to show for their efforts.

Holywood enjoyed the much better start to their game and within 5 minutes were unlucky to drop the ball with the Ophir line at their mercy.  Ophir managed to clear to touch but back came Holywood and a jinking 15 metre run got their scrum half under the Ophir posts for the first score.  The conversion was good.  From the restart, Ophir made good progress up the pitch and a penalty offered the opportunity of a line out just 5 metres from the Holywood line.  Possession secured, the ball was spread wide through the Ophir backs but a fumble allowed the Holywood defence to clear.  And that was the major difference between the two sides.  Apart from forward dominance, the passing between Holywood's well drilled backs continually hit the mark while Ophir knocked on or dropped the ball far too often.  Holywood's second try came in the 25th minute - their big inside centre crashing over from short range.  The conversion from near the touchline was narrowly missed but only 4 minutes later came their third score - again brute strength used from close range.  The conversion put Holywood 19 points ahead.   But with 5 minutes to go before half time there was a brief moment of joy for Ophir.  Inside centre Stevie Hastings gained some 20 metres and managed to recycle the ball for Josh Collins to touch down.  19 - 5 to Holywood at the break.

In the second half, Holywood consolidated their first half forward superiority and their backs had a field day.  Three more tries were conceded by Ophir before outside centre Alan Davidson broke clear and touched down for Ophir's second try.  James Milligan got the conversion  But Holywood had the last say as their nippy scrum half again ducked despairing tackles to score under the posts.  The final score was Ophir 12, Holywood 45. 

On the adjacent pitch Ophir Seconds were delighted to lead Academy Thirds by 7 points to 5 at half time.  But Ophir appeared to run out of steam as Academy ran riot in the second half, winning by some 23 points.