Ophir Firsts, supported by MCW Properties and Ballyvesey Recycling Solutions, started their 2013/2014 Gordon West Cup campaign with a 46-22 win over PSNI.
With last season's major drainage scheme completed, the pitches at Magowan Park were in perfect condition for a fast handling game and the weather stayed dry.
Ophir's forwards set out their stall within the first minute of action, winning a scrum against the head and then a penalty for PSNI holding the ball too long on the ground. This ...
Ophir Firsts, supported by MCW Properties and Ballyvesey Recycling Solutions, started their 2013/2014 Gordon West Cup campaign with a 46-22 win over PSNI. With last season's major drainage scheme completed, the pitches at Magowan Park were in perfect condition for a fast handling game and the weather stayed dry. Ophir's forwards set out their stall within the first minute of action, winning a scrum against the head and then a penalty for PSNI holding the ball too long on the ground. This signalled a remarkable string of penalty attempts by the Ophir fullback, David Walker three of which hit either the posts or the bar. But it didn't matter too much; six minutes into the game and Ophir's new second row, Kenny Morton, drove over to score the opening try close to the posts. Walker converted and three minutes later scrumhalf Karl Davis, aided by Paddy McCabe and Stevie Hastings, took the ball from their own 22 for back row Dave Lucas to touch down in the corner. A successful Walker penalty took Ophir's lead to 15 points but the visitors responded with a penalty after an offside infringement. But this proved only a brief setback for the home team - after another scrum against the head, Stewart Henry crashed through the PSNI defence and 5 minutes later, Neil Gray was in the forefront of a 20 metre Ophir drive to add another try. On the stroke of half time, out half James Milligan chipped ahead and in the scramble for the ball, Hastings won the footrace to touch down. Half time: Ophir 34 PSNI 3 For the first 15 minutes of the second half, Ophir lost concentration and conceded two tries, both well taken by the PSNI backs. But the home side recovered well and with some sparkling handling and support play, Milligan added another 5 points at the corner flag. Then Davis, who had been instrumental in most of the home side's scoring opportunities, capped his usual excellent play with a try of his own. The conversion by Walker took Ophir's lead to 46-15, but to their credit, PSNI came back at the end to touch down close to the posts. Full time: Ophir 46 PSNI 22
Ophir Firsts, supported by MCW Properties and Ballyvesey Recycling Solutions, started their 2013/2014 Gordon West Cup campaign with a 46-22 win over PSNI. With last season's major drainage scheme completed, the pitches at Magowan Park were in perfect condition for a fast handling game and the weather stayed dry. Ophir's forwards set out their stall within the first minute of action, winning a scrum against the head and then a penalty for PSNI holding the ball too long on the ground. This signalled a remarkable string of penalty attempts by the Ophir fullback, David Walker three of which hit either the posts or the bar. But it didn't matter too much; six minutes into the game and Ophir's new second row, Kenny Morton, drove over to score the opening try close to the posts. Walker converted and three minutes later scrumhalf Karl Davis, aided by Paddy McCabe and Stevie Hastings, took the ball from their own 22 for back row Dave Lucas to touch down in the corner. A successful Walker penalty took Ophir's lead to 15 points but the visitors responded with a penalty after an offside infringement. But this proved only a brief setback for the home team - after another scrum against the head, Stewart Henry crashed through the PSNI defence and 5 minutes later, Neil Gray was in the forefront of a 20 metre Ophir drive to add another try. On the stroke of half time, out half James Milligan chipped ahead and in the scramble for the ball, Hastings won the footrace to touch down. Half time: Ophir 34 PSNI 3 For the first 15 minutes of the second half, Ophir lost concentration and conceded two tries, both well taken by the PSNI backs. But the home side recovered well and with some sparkling handling and support play, Milligan added another 5 points at the corner flag. Then Davis, who had been instrumental in most of the home side's scoring opportunities, capped his usual excellent play with a try of his own. The conversion by Walker took Ophir's lead to 46-15, but to their credit, PSNI came back at the end to touch down close to the posts. Full time: Ophir 46 PSNI 22