After a spirited display, but an inevitable defeat after losing 2 players to injury at Holywood last week, Ophir Rugby, supported by MCW Properties,
were hoping to sustain the same level of play in their Qualifying League encounter with Cavan at Mount Pleasant, last Saturday.
In atrocious weather conditions – intermittent sleet and heavy snow, and a pitch largely covered with surface water – Ophir kicked off but immediately came under a sustained recycling of the ball which brought Cavan within 10 metres of the Ophir line. But over-enthusiasm caused the Cavan loose head prop to dive over the ball and Ophir gratefully cleared the danger. It didn’t stay safe for long; back came Cavan and this time they were awarded a penalty for an Ophir misjudgement of offside. Despite the relative ease of the kick, it was missed and 5 minutes later, in Ophir’s first foray into the Cavan half, full back David Walker showed how to do it with a magnificent penalty goal form all of 40 metres. 20 minutes into the game and largely against the run of play, Ophir centre Anthony Davis gathered the ball close to the left wing and to the surprise of the Cavan defence sprinted a full 30 metres through several weak tackles to touch down at the corner flag. David
Walker hit the crossbar with the conversion attempt but Ophir led 8 – 0. Then on the half hour, Cavan at last got themselves on the score sheet with a well struck penalty. Back came Ophir and on the stroke of half time, centre Cillian Rooney broke through a ruck close to the Cavan line to score Ophir’s second try. The conversion hit the upright so the half time score read Ophir 13, Cavan 3.
The second half was largely a reflection of the first – a lot of hard running and tackling, but a lot of errors due to the playing conditions. Neither side gained any significant advantage although Ophir scrum half Karl Davis had two charging runs at the Cavan defence, only held up with last ditch tackles. Cavan seemed to be unlucky when their number 4 had to go off with a nasty gash to his eye socket, but instead, as often happens; it led to a bout of sustained Cavan pressure on the Ophir line. But Ophir held firm and when the ref blew the final whistle the Cottonmount men had gained further valuable points to keep them in touch with the League leaders. Final score – Ophir 13, Cavan 3.
