Ophir do just enough to take the points
AN out of sorts Ophir First XV just about did enough to take the two points in Saturday's Gordon West Cup group game at Randalstown.
A young, hard-working home side caused problems for the visitors throughout the 80 minutes, and were unlucky not to get a share of the points.
Randalstown went 7-0 ahead with an early score under the posts, but Ophir were soon back in front thanks to a superb try from scrumhalf Karl Davis and a Ron Bell penalty.
Another Bell penalty saw Ophir increase their lead early in the second half, but Randalstown rallied and their backs cut through the visitors’ line with 15 minutes remaining for a deserved score in the corner.
With the home team leading 12-11 with less then 10 minutes on the clock, it was a frantic end to the game. But it was Ophir who came out on top when outhalf Bell coolly slotted his third penalty of the game to give Ophir a 14-12 win.
With three wins from four cup ties so far this season, Ophir will be hoping that one more victory from their final two games will be enough to see them safely through to the knock out stages of the competition in April.
Meanwhile, Ophir Second XV picked up another two Minor League points at the weekend when they were awarded victory against Larne Fourths.
The side from the Glynn arrived without the necessary front row forwards meaning the match was awarded to Ophir. However, the teams did play a friendly with uncontested scrums which Larne won 14-8.
This Saturday Ophir First XV will return to Qualifying League action with a trip to Virginia, while the Seconds are due to have a home league game against Ballymoney Fourths.
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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
