Ards Rugby Club Notes
Match Reports And Scores
1st XV – Ards 17 v 20 Sunday’s Well
2nd XV – Ards 6 v 29 Ophir
4th XV v CIYMS – Postponed
U19s – No Game
U17s – Larne 19 v 12 Plate Q/F (Result contested)
U15s – No Game
U13s – No Game
Minis v CIYMS Tournament
Senior
All three senior teams came off second best in Saturday’s contests, with the 1st XV coming closest to snatching a victory in the dying embers of their game against Sunday’s Well.
A Stewart Paul break and pass to Andy Todd late on in the game almost paid off, but alas it wasn’t to be and the final whistle sounded thereafter
The 2nds had six 18 year olds in their ranks taking a big step up into adult rugby, but it was the more experienced in the opposition rather than the exuberance off youth that prevailed on the day against Ophir. And in Magherafelt, the 3rds found the going equally tough against the mid-Ulster side.
Unbelievably, the 4th XV had yet another team cancel against them to make that three in a row. Not the best preparation for a Cup Final perhaps, but something that was completely out of their control.
Next week its McCambley Cup Final time again with Ards 4ths up against County Antrim Rivals Ballymena 5ths. Ards and Ballymena have contested this final on a number of occasions and Ards, as the current holders, are looking to continue in that winning habit and retain the Cup once again on Saturday.
The game will be played at Ravenhill and has a 2.30pm kick-off and all support will be very welcome.
3rd XV – Rainey 29 v 12 Ards
A young Ards 3rd XV travelled to Magherafelt on Saturday afternoon to face Rainey 3rds in dry but windy conditions. Ards started the brighter of the two sides and raced into a 7 nil lead with a Willy Maynard try following a text book blind side back row move. This was converted by out half Graham Martin. With a fierce wind in their faces Ards found the going tough in the first half. The talented Rainey half backs could kick the ball the length of the field and this tactic allowed the Rainey pack to play their rugby on the Ards try line. The young Ards team refused to budge and drove the ball back to Rainey, and on a few occasions could have extended their lead. Ian McCarrison and Jay MacKenzie in particular made big drives and gained vital ground. Rainey eventually broke through and during the first half added three tries, two of which were converted to finish the half 19 – 7 in front.
Ards were upbeat during the half time team talk and knew they had the wind to their advantage in the second half. However from the kick-off Ards lost possession and allowed the Rainey 9 to skip in for a further converted try. Ards now faced a big challenge just to stay in touch and to their credit they fought for every ball. Ards now dominated possession but a knock to captain Jay Mackenzie limited his ability to carry ball. This proved a major turning point in the game with Ards losing their most potent attacking threat. A failing lineout was also a cause for concern as key set pieces were lost. Ards fought to the bitter end and were rewarded with a try through Captain Mackenzie. In the last kick of the ball Rainey added a penalty to extend their lead and win the game 29-12. This score was not a fair reflection of the game and Ards will take heart from their performance in particular the contributions of young players Stephen McKee along with forwards Ben Smith, Nathan Flemming and Daniel Whitla.
Team 1 A Peden 2 A Fletcher 3 D Whitla 4 I Presho 5 I McCarrison 6 N Flemming 7 J Moore 8 B Smith 9 S McKee 10 G Martin 11 A Wright 12 J MacKenzie 13 D McNally 14 R Mills 15 W Maynard.
Head Coach Applications
The deadline has now passed for applications to be received for the position of Head Coach at Ards RFC next season.
It is understood that six applicants have now submitted their credentials to become the Head Coach at Ards next season.
Interviews will be conducted with these personnel over the coming days and members will be advised of the successful candidate in due course
Youth
Ards U17s lost out 19 – 12 to Larne in the quarter-finals of the Plate on Saturday but because of a dispute over registration cards, the result has been put on hold pending a ruling from the CMC.
Mini
The next Mini Tournament is on Saturday April 9 away to Cooke RFC for the U9s – U12s only. Players should meet at Cooke RFC (Shaws Bridge Belfast) for 9am sharp.
The Ards Mini Tournament will take place on Sunday April 17 for all age groups from 12 noon.
New Zealand RWC 2011
In the build up to the RWC in New Zealand this year, Ireland will have a couple of warm up games at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin against France on August 20 and England on August 27.Read on
Application forms for tickets from the IRFU must be returned to Ards RFC no later than Friday April 8.
Tickets cost €40, €30 and €20 for category 1, 2 and 3 seating respectively, with all moneys for successful applicants being paid to Ards RFC no later than Wednesday June 1st 2011.
For more information, please contact Tom McCullough.
Ards Rugby Photos
Bill Haggan has got his new site up and running to view and download free of charge from his gallery of Ards Rugby photos.
The site can be accessed by clicking on to http://billhaggan.smugmug.com/Sports/Rugby or click on the links via the Club info page.
Once again, thanks to Bill for all his excellent work in capturing all the action at Hamilton Park.
. Tag Rugby
Tag Rugby (non-contact) is for both boys and girls and can be played both indoors and out. Anyone who would like this great activity delivered to their school or club should contact Emma Hingston, the Sports Development Officer at Ards Borough Council on 02891 824000 or e-mail emma.hingston@ards-council.gov.uk to book their place.
Fixtures – Saturday April 9
Ards 1st XV v Queens– USL (Home)
Ards 2nd XV v Belfast Harlequins – League (Home)
Ards 3rd XV v Queens – League (Away) Kick-off 1pm TBC
Ards 4th XV v Ballymena – McCambley Cup Final (Ravenhill)
Ards U19s v TBC
Ards U17s v TBC
Ards U15s v TBC
Ards U13s v TBC
Mini v Cooke Tournament U9s – U12s Only (9am)
Mini Training Sunday April 10 TBC
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm kickoff unless otherwise stated.
Please refer to the club website at www.ards-rfc.com for any late changes
Many thanks and kind regards
Roy Lawton
Ards RFC PRO
Mob 07809 557715
