Ophir 2's VS Academy

After a positive and encouraging performance last week against the High School Ophir 2's had hoped to build on this in the highly anticipated local derby against neighbours Academy . Due to the heavy downfall of rain the match was switched to Roughfort last minute to preserve the pitches .

Ophir director of rugby Bobby Press gave out the directions from Magowan park to Rougfort which where far from accurate as only 12 players arrived successfully with 10 of the 12 players being forwards . Academy very kindly agreed to lend us 3 players to make the fixture a competitive encounter . Never the less it was a great achievement to field 2 rugby teams 2 weeks in succession . Big pat on the back to the 12 men that turned out on the day

With difficult and wet conditions underfoot Ophir started the 1st 10 minutes the stronger retaining possession from a beautifully weighted kick off from outhalf Ricky Alexander . The Ophir pack made some good forward yards towards the academy try line with Adam Smith at the forefront of the attack . The ball was eventually turned over by the academy back row and quickly flashed out along their slick and hard running back line to run in a fantastic try from deep in their own half . The conversion was added to this. For the duration of the 1st half this was a familiar pattern with the academy backs and a few more try's where to follow .

HALF TIME ACADEMY 28- 0 OPHIR

The 2nd half was a different story where Ophir rolled up their sleeves and showed some grit hard work and determination

Ophir where rewarded with a well deserved try after the Ophir centre (Academy player no idea of name) made a fantastic beak from deep in his own half only to be stopped 5 metres short of the try line . Gareth Anderson was on his tail and was evident that he hadn't lost any pace in his 3 year absence from the beautiful game . Anderson picked and drove them wee legs of his and was just held up shy of the try line . The Ophir pack recycled the ball well and veteran number 8 Neil Gray picked up and made no mistake to power over under the posts . Ricky Alexander missed the conversion due to an overgrown dandy lion on the pitch .

Shortly after Ophir legend Gavin Robinson and Gareth Anderson had to leave the pitch due to "tireditous" and academy ran in 2 more try's

FINAL SCORE ACADEMY 3's 45 - 5 OPHIR 2's

Big shout out to Gareth Anderson who came out of retirement for the local derby with a 3 year absence from the game . Always a pleasure to grace the field with the big fella who played with passion commitment and wore his heart on his sleeve when he pulled on the Ophir Jersey which hopefully will not be the last .

Also a big shout out to Bobby Press and James Brownlie 2 of our utility forwards who spent the afternoon knitting and gossiping about loose women in the backline . Hat goes off to you both as not an easy task trying to fit in with them Jinny Ann's.

2nd last mention goes to Adam Smith who is playing the best rugby of his career running about the field like a 21 year old carrying the ball forward exquisitely apart from the time he was dumped by academy's skinniest and smallest back . (They'd only been going out 2 weeks - poor Adam )

Finally man of the match goes to James McClintock who made his Ophir debut in the engine room . James at times looked like a seasoned professional out on the battle field and did not put one foot out of place . Well done and welcome to Ophir James . Well deserved

The mighty Ophir 2's have a 2 week break before travelling to Joey Dunlop territory where they will face Ballymoney 4's on their next outing .

This week, our 2's match report is written by Neil Gray AKA Hammer!