Late surge gives Ophir victory

Last Saturday, Ophir Second XV hosted a visit by Inishowen Rugby Club at the Cottonmount, Mallusk in an early season League match. Weather conditions were ideal for an open, running game.
And indeed the early stages of the game were dominated territorially by the new look Ophir team, taking ball against the head in a couple of set scrums and gaining clean possession at the line outs. But the Inishowen tackling was ferocious and for 25 minutes the home team were unable to crack the strong defence. That is until Ophir were awarded a scrum 10 metres out from the Inishowen line and Number 8 Glynn Reece slipped through the tiniest of gaps and got the ball to Karl Davis to touch down. Full back Iarlaith Rooney made no mistake with the conversion. 10 minutes later after withholding a mighty backlash from the hefty County Donegal pack, Ophir doubled their lead as Conor Bond finished off a sweeping move which took the ball from wing to wing. the conversion was good and Ophir led 14 - 0. Inishowen responded with a well taken penalty when Ophir strayed offside at a ruck. This inspired the visitors into a frenzied attack on the Ophir back line and they were justly rewarded with a superb try on the left wing. The difficult conversion was missed but at the half time break, Inishowen were just 6 points adrift; 14 - 8.

10 minutes after the restart, Inishowen were well back in the game. After a string of clean possession from brilliant recycling, the Inishowen pack drove Ophir to within 5 metres of their own line then spread the ball neatly to the right wing to touch down. Again the conversion was missed but there was just one point separating the teams. The following 15 minutes turned the Cottonmount into a battle ground. Both teams stormed at opposition defence but barely an inch of space was given for any break. Something or someone had to make the difference and in Ophir's case it was the new law which allowed tactical substitutions. Inishowen had none, but Ophir had their full allowance of three men and they were put to good use and Ophir went on to score three more tries and ease to the win.

Next Saturday (13th) Ophir 2's play Holywood 2's at home. All support welcome.