OPHIR LEARNING CURVE

The Conference League was instigated by the Ulster Branch to provide match practice for the Second teams of senior clubs in the Province. These are always tough games for the Qualifying League teams despite Ophir having beaten Ards IIs earlier in the season.

Instonians started the game like a tornado ripping through the Ophir tackling and in the second minute registered the opening score – a try under the posts which was easily converted. It looked ominous for the home team, but from the restart they took possession and recycled the ball well to get to within 10 metres of the opposition line. Ophir opted to kick to touch from a good penalty kicking opportunity and the brave decision was justified as scrum half Karl Davis again demonstrated his strength and speed of thinking, crashing through the Inst defence for a fine try in the corner. Full back David Walker missed the difficult conversion. 5 minutes later Ophir were again pressing the Inst defence, led by a tremendous break from David Walker and crossing the gain line every time the ball was rucked. And to the surprise of the spectators, another score to Ophir, this time by centre Anthony Davis, who took the pass from Outhalf Ron Bell, and dodged over the line. Again the difficult conversion was missed. Ophir led 10 – 7 but that was the end of their scoring in the first half. Inst began to run riot. The speed and strength of their backs and their ability to hand off, side step and dummy at will saw Ophir floundering to try to stem the flow. Instonians ran in four more converted tries before the interval, including a remarkable one- handed stretch for the line from their giant second row forward.

From the kick off for the second half, Instonians continued to demonstrate tremendous speed of thought and running, scoring two more tries and only last ditch tackling preventing three more. Then Ophir got another grip on the game. Great play by the pack brought them to the Inst line and forced the visitors to concede a 5 metre scrum. Neil Gray took the ball on and Anthony Davis finished the move, ripping the ball to break through to the line. David Walker succeeded in the conversion and brought Ophir’s tally to 17. Only 32 points adrift. The remainder of the match was all Instonians. Two further tries were added, the last one a fantastic solo effort by their centre who caught a defence clearance on the wing, fully 50 metres from the line and sped infield, side stepping at least 4 tackles to touch down under the posts. The conversion saw Instonians winning by 63 points to 17. A valuable lesson in back play for the Ophir diehards.