Ophir 12 v  BHSFP 25

This match in which High School travelled to local rivals Ophir was always a potential banana skin particularly on the day in question when conditions were damp and slippery underfoot and not good for running rugby. It was important that High School came away from the Mallusk ground with the points intact in order to maintain momentum in the league. 

The game got underway with the High School fielding an unchanged side from the previous week . Initially honours were even and it was clear that the poor conditions were not going to assist either side. Both teams however did try to run the ball at every opportunity but for most of this half the play was fairly dour with the visitors failing to place any stamp of authority on the game. The Ophir forward pack was much heavier than their High School counterparts but there was little to choose between the two in the scrums although High School won two against the head in this half . In the lineout High School were the better side continually winning clean ball off the top through Andy Morrison and George Diamondis. The Ophir defence was sound for the first period of the game and it wasn’t until 20 minutes had elapsed before the first points were put on the board through a Tim Murphy penalty . Only two minutes later Ophir had an excellent chance to even the score but the penalty opportunity was missed. 

During this half High School were unable to click into their normal gear and as the half drew to a close consistent pressure by the Ophir pack produced rewards in the shape of a converted try just on 40 minutes of play. The assembled visiting support could sense some unease in their team but knew that with a further half to go the position could be turned around. 

HALF TIME           OPHIR  7    V    3   BHSFP 

The second half got underway with High School receiving the ball. Immediately a great run out from defence by George Diamondis signalled a change of momentum with greater urgency injected into the play by High School. Clearly the half time talk by coaches Davy Scott and Derek Wilson had some effect. 

With High School now playing  better confidence grew and the all round decision making improved to the extent that within 5 minutes of play the visitors had moved into the lead through a first class try  by David Mayne. Receiving the ball on his own 22 line David sensed the space in front of him , pinned the ears back and left the floundering Ophir defence trailing in his wake. The try was well converted by Tim Murphy. 

The High School pack now had the bit between the teeth and with the likes of Stephen Morton , Pete Taylor , John Balmer & co suddenly fired up and Jonny Mayne and Tim Murphy getting the backline moving forward the complexion of the game changed considerably. The Ophir team found it hard to gain any meaningful possession and it was only because of a couple of poor handling errors that High School didn’t go further into the lead at this stage. 

The next points opportunity came 20 minutes into the half when , from a period of pressure on the Ophir line a penalty award was duly despatched by Tim Murphy. 

High School continued to run at the Ophir defence and move their large pack back and forth across the pitch until the gaps opened up. The set piece scrummage continued to function well and a further two takes against the head were delivered in this half totalling 4 in all in the match. Good work by the front row. 

 The next try was delivered by Jordan Frampton who had the confidence to prod the Ophir defence and when the space opened in front of him he accelerated through for a well taken try converted by Tim Murphy. 

With the match moving into the closing quarter High School had moved well into the lead but could not afford to sit back as the Ophir team were not giving up and were fighting hard to get back into the game. The killer blow came after 33 minutes of play as the High School fifteen once again pinned the Ophir team into their own 22. A lineout 5 metres out was converted to a catch and drive situation  and in classic style the try was scored by Stephen Morton who is fast becoming expert in this area. The conversion was missed. 

Play continued and although High School failed to score again before the end of the match they were unfortunate not to put some further points on the board. Ophir did manage to add to their tally virtually on the last play of the game when a period of sustained forward pressure yielded an unconverted try. 

This was a comfortable victory in the end by High School but it was harder to deliver than it should have been .  However, still on course and plenty to do !!