Ophir produce improved performance to take league points against Monaghan

Following a string of disappointing defeats, Ophir are aiming to close their season with some much improved performances. And indeed, in the early stages of the game the home team dominated lineout and scrum possession, eventually securing a welcome win.

On the 7th minute, after some quick recycling of the ball, prop Gary Crawford crashed over to open the scoring. The conversion was missed but Ophir led by 5 points to nil. From the restart, Ophir continued to occupy the Monaghan half of the field and after brilliant running from back row Davy Lucas, centre Paul McGreevy twisted through a couple of tackles to stretch for a one-handed touch down. Fullback David Walker kicked a good conversion and Ophir led 12-0.

Monaghan started to gain some better possession, particularly from poor ball retention by Ophir. The visitors had an opportunity to open their scoring with a difficult penalty 35m out, but the ball drifted wide of the uprights. Another fine piece of running by the Monaghan right wing looked a certain try, but the ball was somehow passed into touch. Clearly, the Monaghan strength lay in their forwards, but all too often possession was kicked away, and Ophir’s fullback, Walker, was extremely confident and competent under the high ball.

Just before the break, second row Neil Gray was unlucky to be tap tackled in a typically storming run to the line, and the score remained 12-0 at half-time.

The second half was much more productive for Monaghan. The visitors had decided that they would cut the match short in order to travel across town to Ravenhill to support their 2nd XV in a cup final against Enniskillen. Astonishingly, they stuck to their plans despite a tremendous comeback.

Just 10 minutes after the restart, their forwards gained some momentum and drove the Ophir pack over the line for their first score. With the conversion the score stood at 12-7 to Ophir.

The home team came back again and outhalf Ron Bell, whose touch kicking had been superb throughout the match, put Ophir close to the Monaghan line. From the lineout, centre Craig O’Neill broke through to score. The conversion was missed to leave it 17-7.

But Monaghan were not yet finished. A quickly taken penalty caught the Ophir defence napping and the Monaghan right wing sprinted in to touch down in the corner. And that was that. Monaghan didn’t attempt the conversion. With just 20 minutes played in the second half it was all over; Ophir winning by 17 points to 12.