Ophir 2's VS BHSFP

The mighty Ophir 2nd XV (XIV) kick off their League campaign with 5 Tries and a much needed moral boost.

Despite starting with only 14 the Ophir men fronted up strong at their home ground and would not be deterred by lack of numbers.

High School quickly spotted the man down however and managed to touch one down in the first few minutes of the game.
Not to be put off the Ophir men quickly responded with a perfectly placed kick off from Jordan Wilson causing a fumble in the high school defence allowing Jordan to chase down his own kick and score a text book try. After a successful conversion the Ophir men were out in front. It was game on.

After a sloppy kick off High School where able to answer with a cheeky pick up from the back of a scrum outpacing the Ophir defence the visitors where back in front.

The Ophs played to their strengths and playing a short and sharp game where able to make great yards to the High School 5 meter line. Forcing a scrum, Ophir where in their element and after an aggressive pick and drive from number 8, Neil Gray, Ophir quickly followed up with another absolute belter in the top right corner from Andy Youll putting the Ophir Men on the front foot. 14-12 with half time looming. Not bad for 14 men.

Ophirs Scrum was going strong and High school had no answer for us with our mix of fresh talent and experience. It was not to last as the opposition once again took advantage of our man down and called on the ref for us to drop our Number 8 Neil Gray from the back of Scrum.

The loss of one of our strongest assets was quickly exploited by the High School team who, up till then where on the back foot in every scrum.

Despite outstanding defensive efforts from veteran forwards Bobby Press, Adam Smith and James Brownlee, and The High school lads quickly put another 2 tries past the Ophir defence who were struggling to quickly adapt to the change in formation.

The Ophir Backs fronted up and some top notch attacking play from backs Ricky Alexander, Craig Smith and Kevin McLaughlin seen scrum half Jordan over the line for a second try.

Despite the hard work from the Ophs and some inspired tackling from Ronan McCabb, the visitor’s where able to pull ahead at half time.

After a slow start to the second half due to some confusion on swapping players between the 2 teams the high school boys took advantage to score again.

Ophir soon answered with another 2 cracking try’s coming from Kevin McLaughlin and Andy Youll adding much needed wind to the Ophir Sales.

Strong efforts from the entire Ophir Squad, including first time players John Doyle and Jack Reid kept the High school boys fighting for every yard.

All in all the our efforts couldn’t make up for that lack of a man or set of fresh legs and as the Ophir team began to tire, mistakes like missed tackles proved costly, allowing the High schools boys to pull ahead with few unanswered try’s.

Despite the score line the Ophir boys had their heads held high and with the bonus point in the bag all were in agreement that this was an outstanding game of rugby and the start of something good for the Ophir 2s.

Due to the outstanding efforts of both players and an indecisive captain both Jordan Wilson and Andy Youll where awarded MOTM.

I would like to thank each and every player who pulled on a shirt and fronted up for the squad. Here’s to many more. UP THE OPHS!!

Final Score Ophir 2nd XV 31 – 55 B.H.S.F.P 2nd XV

This weeks match report written by 2's captain, Michael Doyle AKA Doyler!