Newry too strong in the end!

Ophir Rugby, newly supported by Autotrim (http://www.autotrimbelfast.co.uk/) endured another tough Saturday as the First XV suffered home defeat to Newry.

The First XV started well enough and after the first 30 minutes led by 7 points to 5 thanks to an early try from Chris Philips converted by out half James Milligan, and a try from the Newry inside centre. Ophir's pack were doing well in both the loose and the set pieces but any time the Newry backs got the ball they were becoming increasingly difficult to stop. Before half time the visitors got their just reward for the increasing pressure with a try by their scrum half. 7 - 15.

The second half belonged to Newry. It took a little time but eventually the Ophir resistance was worn down - in the 25th minute a fine line break got the Newry pack to the Ophir line and quick possession saw the scrum half over the try line. The conversion made it 7 - 22 but within 3 minutes another Newry converted try opened a 22 point gap in the scores. Then came the try of the match when the Newry full back gathered loose ball near his own line, jinked through a couple of tackles and sprinted the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts. To their credit, the Ophir pack created the opportunity for another try from scrum half Alan Davidson again converted by James Milligan but Newry had the final say, scoring in the last minute to win by 39 points to 14.