A much improved 1st XV lose out at the Palace Grounds
3rds win on the road to Clogher Valley
U15s defeat Banbridge at Hamilton Park
Ladies play 1st full 15-a-side game v Belfast Harlequins at Hamilton Park (Sunday)
Armagh 1st XV 33 V 5 Ards 1st XV
ARDS STEP FORWARD
Last Saturday the 1st XV made it’s second visit to Armagh in three weeks and on this occassion to play a first round match in the Senior Cup. Although Armagh deserved the win the scoreline flatters them a little and this was a step forward for the Ardsmen and a much improved performance.
Both sides made several changes to their squad from the earlier match and Ards were delighted to give senior debuts to Matthew Wallace and John Quigg during the course of the game. Both young men have joined the squad straight from Regent House, continuing the steady stream of talent from the School over a long number of years. Both performed admirably and will be significant assests to the Ards cause for the future.
The first half was evenly contested and after 38 minutes the sides were tied at 5-5. Armagh had taken advantage of hesitancy in the Ards defence in the 25th minute to score an unconverted try. Ards bounced back just 4 minutes later. Gareth Wilson on the right wing fielded a punt outside his 22 metre line and ran the ball back with purpose. As the defence came up he chipped ahead and showed considerable pace to retrieve the ball in front of the full back. He found Mark Banford on his shoulder in support and when the ball was passed to him he had a clear run to the line for an unconverted try to level the scores.
It seemed this would be the half time score but Armagh forced theie way over close to the posts for a try that was converted to take a 12-5 lead into the interval. In the second period Ards had at least two clear opportunities to score tries neither of which were taken but the ability to create scoring chances is encouraging as the squad look to the All Ireland League. Stephen Cole exploited a gap in midfield in the 50th minute and the move gained momentum through an excellent ball carry from Conor Piper. The pack were in support and with the Armagh defence stretched inside their 22 a try was on but with the wrong option taken the chance was lost. Armagh by contrast were clinical and scored two converted tries in quick succession midway through the half. Ards made full use of their bench in the second half with Wallace and Quigg to the fore together with Matt Bushby, Ryan Diver, and peter croan all making their presence felt. A wrong option from a restart handed Armagh their third try of the half but Ards were undaunted and probably shaded the possesion and territory in the final 20 minutes. Kyle Agnew, settling into squad at scrum half made a break deep into the Armagh half late on in the game and some more composure from his support players could have seen the Armagh defence breached again. Ards will take the positives out of this game as their young squad continue to gel together. Old hands John Dowey and the returning James McCavery provided a strong second row and the pick of the forwards was 18 year old Max Harrison who had a storming game throughout.
The Ards squad for the match was; Foster, Piper, McClure, Dowey, McCavery, Calvert, Dawson, Harrison, Agnew, Cox, Wilson, Young ( Capt ), Cole, McClean, Banford, Wallace,Quigg, Bushby, Diver, Croan.
This Saturday the 1sts are on the road again, this time to Banbridge for an Ulster Senior League match.
