With a 100% record from their first 3 league games this season, Ophir First XV were looking forward to the challenge of a visit from Londonderry YM, the first encounter of the two teams for some time. YM had spent a few years in the higher leagues and were certain to bring a talented team to the Cottonmount.
And so it proved, although Ophir streaked ahead in the early stages and looked as if they would swamp the visitors. On the 5th minute Ophir scrum half Karl Davis chipped over the opposition defence and dribbled the ball football style over the line to touch down. Full back David Walker converted. Then just 8 minutes later out half James Milligan put in a repeat performance touching down after another kick ahead. And in the 20th minute a tremendous drive by the Ophir back, after recycling the ball at least half a dozen times, put the home team on the visitor’s line and hooker, Ross Nelson picked up and crashed over to score the third try. Walker again converted and Ophir led 21 – 0. But YM gradually came back into the game and camped in the Ophir half, putting the home defence to the test. It held strong until 5 minutes before the break when a big push from the YM forwards drove their prop over for a fine try. The conversion was disputed by the touch judges but the referee ruled it had missed the left post.
21 – 5 to Ophir at the start of the 2nd half and it was clear the midweek training sessions were paying off. Ophir had worked hard on support play and on almost every occasion there was a team mate on hand to take the ball forward. However, in the teeming rain and very muddy and slippery conditions underfoot, mistakes were inevitable. There was plenty of dropped ball and knock ons on both sides. But Ophir tried to keep the ball tight among the forwards and the tactic paid off when YM were penalised for dropping a ruck. David Walker kicked the points comfortably. Then Ophir back row, Dave Lucas was yellow carded for not rolling away from a tackle.
This signalled a period of strong attacking play from YM, but it looked as if they had ruined their own chances when their prop was also sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. But this led to uncontested scrums which, because Ophir had been dominant in the forward battle, meant YM at last had clean possession to work with. However, Ophir rallied as a team and defended brilliantly to keep the visitors at bay. YM’s hopes almost faded entirely with another yellow carding 10 minutes from the final whistle, but a great interception from the last Ophir attack put YM out half clear and he sprinted a good 70 metres for a consolation try. The conversion made the final score 24-12 to Ophir.
Four out of four, and in the next match, on Saturday 22nd October Ophir Firsts travel to BHSFP for a cup game. The seconds are at home to Lurgan in a league game and the Under 13s meet Ballymena, also at the Cottonmount.
