Double success for Ophir at UUC
BOTH Ophir sides enjoyed a successful end to 2007 with league wins at University of Ulster, Coleraine (UUC) on Saturday afternoon.
Having lost to the students in the cup earlier in the season, Will Lucas knew that his First XV would face a tough task against a UUC side with an unbeaten home record in Qualifying League Section Three.
Playing with the advantage of the wind, UUC took an early lead with a penalty in front of the posts. And five minutes later it was 8-0 when their right winger went over for a try in the corner.
The students continued to use the wind, keeping Ophir pegged back in defence for long periods of the first half.
With the home side dominating possession and territory, Ophir were glad to take advantage of two penalty opportunities before the break to make the score 8-6.
The turnaround gave Ophir the wind advantage, and outhalf Ron Bell used it superbly throughout the second 40 minutes to ensure UUC were constantly made to battle for the ball in their own 22 against a strong Ophir lineout.
Fifteen minutes into the half Ophir eventually made the pressure count when flanker Neil Gray crashed over in the corner following a well-worked catch and drive move at the lineout.
The conversion was missed, but five minutes later the visitors extended their lead with a penalty to make it 14-8.
A battling UUC never gave up the fight and came back strongly with some great open, running rugby. They were eventually rewarded for their efforts with a penalty in front of the posts to make it 14-11.
A drop goal restored Ophir's six point lead with 10 minutes to go, but desperate to keep their unbeaten home record intact, the UUC players launched attack after attack looking for the winning score.
Some brave Ophir defence on their own line in the dying seconds couldn't prevent the home side's right winger from going over in the corner, but the conversion attempt went wide of the uprights to leave Ophir with a 17-16 win and two league points.
Meanwhile, Ophir Second XV enjoyed a more comfortable margin of victory on the adjacent pitch against UUC Seconds.
Ophir captain Robert Press led his side to a 34-7 win as they left Coleraine with both Minor League points.
An evenly contested first half hour saw the sides cancel each other out, but two scores just before the break set the Mallusk side on their way to an impressive win.
Tries from centre Anthony Davies (2), prop Adam Smith, outhalf Willy Cully and winger Michael Curran, and a penalty and three conversions from Cully gave Ophir victory.
This weekend Ophir Firsts will travel to Stormont to take on Civil Service in the Qualifying League, while the Second XV will take on Ballyclare V's in the McCambley Cup.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
