Firsts 1st in 2 Seasons! 2 Teams Fielded in Ophir Resurgence!

Ophir 1st & 2nd XV were hosting - it was going to be a challenging day to not only field (which was achieved) 2 full teams, but also to approach the game (1st XV at least) with the distinct possibility of being able to win!?

Despite some very challenging selection and positional concerns, both sides were fielded and (maybe not THE strongest) but had huge experience and (what proved to be the case) skills and class.

Ophir started with a commanding presence, strong in attack and when faced with opposition possession, kept the visitors pretty much pinned in. The first of 2 tries led the score, initially by Ronan Sands, and then followed by Josh Collins, having another cracking game at ‘centre’, putting the 2nd in. All this, giving Ophir a dominance, which hadn’t been seen in a very long time. Scrums were dominant, with balls ‘taken’ against the head, and a 30 minute period of keeping the Portadown visitors firmly in their own half.

Unfortunately, the level of concentration dropped, and after a well deserved ‘rollicking’ at half time by ‘Stuarty’ Hooks, and the slump continuing into the 2nd half, allowing the opposition to claw back and gain their own 2 tries!

After a quick ‘restart’ following the 2nd try by Portadown, and pinning them in their 22, the heads were turned back into ‘focus’ and Phil was put in for a 3rd Ophir try, with a great piece of overlap play, ‘heads-up’ vision and skill was really working. The final try of the game, coming in the last 10 minutes of the game, from a really well played running of line and support; Adam popped a great pass to Phil (captain) who broke the gain line yet again, breaking his tackle, and then putting his ‘vice’ in with a great offload underneath the posts.

Ronan Sands slotted 2 of the conversions, and was a well deserved man of the match, restart kicks finding their mark, but more importantly he commanded his back line with great decision making and leadership, which saw the defence line holding strong (for most of the game), and great phases of attacking play.

Further special mentions to: Adam McNaught who had a great game at ‘9’, Ross on his debut & Nick Castle (also debuting) who were solid in running and great under a high ball, in what can only be described as ‘not the best conditions’!

Every single player who took to the pitch in an Ophir shirt, can hold their head up with pride!

There are definitely areas of the game which can (and must) be improved on, but in the words of ‘coach’: “they did great, all happy boys”, this is definitely something to be proud of, and I for one, cant wait to see how we can further develop!

Kevin Bartlett