On Saturday 18 January, Ophir 1st XV took to the field to face Cooke 3rds in what turned out to be a fiercely contested cup match. Despite the final scoreline, there were plenty of positives for Ophir to take away, not least the standout performance of Ryan Caughey, who crossed the try line three times to claim an impressive hat trick.

The game started with Ophir showing plenty of energy, but Cooke capitalised on early opportunities, using their experience to put points on the board. Ophir responded strongly, with Caughey finishing a flowing team move to score his first try.

Cooke's structured play and clinical finishing kept the pressure on, but Ophir refused to back down. Caughey struck again midway through the first half with a solo effort that showcased his speed and determination, reducing the deficit.

As the game wore on, Cooke continued to find gaps in the defense, but Ophir rallied late. Caughey completed his hat trick in the closing stages, diving over after a series of powerful phases from the forwards.

While the result didn’t go Ophir’s way, the team’s commitment and fight were clear for all to see. A special mention goes to Ryan Caughey for his outstanding performance, and to the entire squad for their effort and resilience.

Next week, the team will look to bounce back stronger next week against Academy as they continue to build on their performances.