After a number of weeks of inactivity due to flooded pitches The Black Knights finally returned to action last Saturday at a sun kissed Hamilton Park against a committed Antrim 1ST XV who had inflicted the 4ths heaviest defeat of the season back in October
Rumours that the 4ths had been on a secret warm weather training break at La Manga were quickly dispelled after a number of player had to stop for a rest while walking to the pitch . A less than energetic warm up then took place , the exception to the rule being Michael Higginson who looked extremely light on his feet. Michael put it down to the “Zumba “ DVD his mum gave him for xmas.
Manager neil workman was particularly impressed with Stuarty Stephensons warm up technique which involved sitting in his car by the pitch with the heater on full bore until the sweat was running down his brow. Click HERE for 300+ action Shots
Antrim obviously were suffering from the same lethargy as the first 40 mins could be best summed up as like watching fat birds mud wrestling – awful to watch but enough to keep you perversely interested . Ards dominated the set piece but kept turning over the ball. Antrim had enterprise in the backs but their last pass always went astray. As a result the half ended in stalemate nil – nil.
Following a rousing team talk from captain Rab Irwin Ards awoke from their slumber like a herd of cattle prodded bovines and started the second half like they meant business.
Gary Presho was winning everything in the line out and from this platform the ards pack started to dominate .from a lineout in the antrim 22 the forwards mauled for the line before being held up 5 yards out. From the resultant ruck julian patton crashed over to put Ards 5 points up. The score went unconverted.
This galvanised the Ardsmen and they started playing some great rugby. Scrum half andy matchett was pulling the strings and his darting runs were causing havoc in Antrim defence (which was a great relief to Andy as his passes to outhalf stevie bell were shite !!). From once such burst he jinked into space and drew the fullback before releasing the ball to michael “joey essex” Higginson. Stretching his fake tanned legs to the max Higgy strode for the line and dived over under the posts. Matchett duly converted to leave the score 12 nil
Antrim quickly came back at Ards and were running the ball at every opportunity. However the ards backline defence was superb . gordy mcbride,trevor spence , andy todd and willie maynard all made heroic last ditch tackles to keep Antrim out.
This great tackling seemed to sap the morale of Antrim and with prop stevie nutt leading the charge ards finished the stronger of the two teams. From more great lineout work from Presho, the ball ended up in Rab irwins hands . Rab squeezed through a gap in the antrim back row defence (it was a big gap) and headed for the line before passing inside to the charging Gary Presho. Galloping like a stolen horse into a burger factory mincer he beat the cover to score. Conversion missed referee brian mclawrence of D’dee (who did a great job – for a Dee man!!) blew his whistle to signify the end of the match. 17 nil ards
This was a great second half performance from Ards with the forwards maintaining discipline and the backs tackling like demons.
Special mention goes to john mccartney, playing his first game at openside, and young matt mcmullan on the wing ,who both gave 100%.
The black knights now welcome Ballynahinch 7’s this Saturday for another leagur game with their sights firmly set on next Saturdays cup quarterfinal against this seasons favourites , Harlequins 4ths.
