Ophir continue winning run
OPHIR First XV's good run of form in Qualifying League Section Three continued on Saturday afternoon with a battling 10-5 win at Ballyshannon.
With a strong crosswind and heavy pitch making handling and kicking difficult for both sides, the game was always going to be a scrappy, low-scoring affair.
Ophir took a deserved lead after 15 minutes when scrumhalf Karl Davis dived over in the corner to finish off a surging forward move by the pack.
Things got worse for the Donegal side midway through the half when their fullback was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury.
The Mallusk side, who dominated possession and had the better of the attacking opportunities throughout the 80 minutes, doubled their lead after an hour when hooker Mark McLaughlin barged his way over the line near the corner.
Despite being dominated all day in the scrum and at the lineout, a spirited Ballyshannon never gave up the fight, and a score from their right winger five minutes from time set up a nailbiting finish.
However, despite one or two rash decisions in the Ophir ranks late on, their defence held firm to secure a deserved win and another two league points.
The MCW Properties-sponsored side now have a couple of weeks off before they return to action on February 16 in a McCrea Cup game at local rivals Academy.
Meanwhile, Ophir Second XV's game against Armoy at the weekend was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Their next scheduled fixture is a Minor League game on February 9 against Carrick Thirds at The Cottonmount.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
