Match Reports
1st XV – Ballynahinch 55 v 5 Ards
Ards had another tough encounter at the weekend, when they faced a rampant Ballynahinch, in the Ulster Senior League.
Buoyed by last weekends reasonable performance against an equally resurgent Ballymena, but missing a number of key players, Ards had expected to compete much better than the score line suggested.
Ards more than held there own for long periods in the first half and even scored a try through Andy Todd, to leave the score at a very respectable 12 – 5 to the hosts at half time. But when Chris Agnew was yellow carded early in the second half, all hell broke loose allowing the home side to use their superior numerical advantage in the backs to rack up the tries.
The end result was very disappointing considering all the time and effort that has been put in on the training paddock, over the last number of weeks.
Ards must now regroup and salvage some pride before their next game at home to Banbridge this Saturday.
2nd XV – Ballynahinch 32 v 0 Ards
Due to injuries and 1st team call ups Ards fielded a much younger team than last week. This lack of experience and team pattern plays lead to Ards falling to a 32 point deficit. In the first half a gutsy display meant that Ards turned around only 6-0 down to a well organised Hinch side. After the break Hinch started to gain more possession and with Ards going down to 14 men due to a yellow card also found more space. This resulted in 3 tries being run in very quickly and from then on the match was always slipping away. Hinch continued to add points throughout the half and ended up deserved winners.
During periods of this game Ards played some nice rugby without having the killer touch against such strong opposition. The effort was always there but much work is still needed on the training pitch on the technical side of the game. If every player can get to training twice a week, then the team as a whole will only benefit and go forward as a competitive unit.
3rd XV – Ards 28 v 19 City of Derry
Ards 3rds played their first home league game of the season on Saturday hosting City of Derry.
Things couldn’t have started worse for the 3rds as they found themselves 12 – 0 down within 15 minutes; Derry scored 2 break away tries 1 of which was converted from 2 incursions into the Ards half as the result of mistakes by Ards players; to those watching it would have appeared Ards had made the long journey and not Derry.
Stern words behind the posts by captain J McKenzie seemed to wake up the Ards players and from the resulting kick-off by out half Paul Cox, winger Willie Maynard used all his pace and power to retrieve the kick and break through the Derry defence and score to the left of the posts; Cox added the conversion.
Credit to Derry they responded and scored a third try which was converted but again this was the result of mistakes by the Ards team .
Ards then started to up the tempo of the game and retained possession well; both forwards and backs interacted well with centres J McKenzie and Tim McCandless, hooker Andrew Fletcher, prop Michael McMenamin and number 8 Matthew Wilson to the fore.
After a period of such pressure and great lineout ball centre J McKenzie broke through the Derry defence and off loaded in the tackle to his centre partner McCandless for him to beat the last man of defence and score a well deserved try under the posts; Cox converted.
Half-time Ards 14 – Derry 19
Ards continued with their dominancy of territory and possession and persistent infringement saw Derry being reduced to 14 men, when one of their back row was sin binned for foul play.
Accurate kicking and control play by out-half Paul Cox and the subsequent chase of these kicks by wingers Stevie Robinson and Maynard kept the pressure on Derry; ground was being gained all the time and the forwards were kept on the front foot. This was rewarded by a try under the Derry posts after a rampaging charge by McMenamin who was ably assisted by Daniel Ducky McNallly, leaving the Derry defenders in their wake, Cox added the conversion.
With only 2 points in the game and 15 minutes to go Derry threw everything at Ards in pursuit of a victory, for the first time in the game Derry were able to keep possession and exert some pressure on the Ards line, during this period Ards found themselves reduced to 14 men when flank forward Ducky McNally was sin binned for persistent infringement. Ards managed to repel this period of attack and theirs rum and defence of the line held out.
With the return of their sin binned player in the final minutes of the game Ards secured the game with a well taken second try by centre Tim McCandless which was converted by Cox.
The final whistle came and with it the 3rds first victory in what is hoped to be a successful season.
Next Saturday the 3rds travel to Dromore and hope to avenge the defeat suffered there last year. Training continues on Tuesday at 7pm, with competition for places for all teams in the club attendance will be considered in selection.
Ards 3rds:
1. R Hamilton 2. A Fletcher 3. M McMenamin 4. I Presho 5. A Paden 6. D McNally 7. C McCullough 8. M Wilson 9. G Martin 10. P Cox 11. W Maynard 12. J McKenzie 13. T McCandless 14. S Robinson 15. C Rogerson
4th XV – Malone 5 v 55 Ards (Match report to follow)
U19s – Ards 14 v 19 Instonians
Ards started strongly against an experience Instonians side at Hamilton Park. Two long range penalty efforts fell short of the posts as the team looked to turn pressure into points.
The Ards fly half Andy Savage technical kicking kept Instonians pinned back in their half. Ards where making full use of big ball carriers in Matt Busby and Daniel Whitla to good affect. A clean take and drive from Cameron Jamison was taken on by Gregg Morin number 8 Jordan Ellington was in support to crash over and Jordan DePledge added the conversion to gave Ards the lead.
This spurred Instonians into action and their play was rewarded with two unconverted tries to end the first half.
Early in the second half the visitors extended the lead with a penalty. Ards defended superbly with Chris Dean putting in crunching tackles. The well drilled visitors opened a 13 point cushion with a well taken try. Ards responded taking command of possession and working though the phases establishing more consistency in their play. After contend pressure on the Instonians line Captain Jordan Ellington gathered and weaved through to touch down for his second try. DePledge added the conversion on the final whistle.
This was a close game with lots to build on and the team will be strengthened with the return of Conran Steward, Max Harrison and Ricky Aston.
Ladies
The Ladies are still recruiting new players for both their Tag (none contact) and Full-contact sides. If you feel you’d like to have a go, then come along to their training session on Wednesday evenings from 7 – 8.30pm, everyone welcome.
For more information about joining Ards Ladies section please contact Ross Reid on 07801 848762.
Youth
Come along and sign up to help get Ards Youth back into the Premier Division of Youth rugby. Leagues, Cups and All Ireland Competitions, are up for grabs, as well as end of season tours.
To qualify for the various Youth teams, a player must be under 13, 15, 17 or 19 etc on 1st January 2010.
The Youth train on Tuesday evenings at the Club from 6.45pm. Spread the word, all abilities welcome regardless of experience.
The U13s will train on Sundays from 2pm and expect to get a number of fixtures arranged in the near future.
Ring Dayle Jones, the Youth Co-ordinator, on 07754 077827 for more details, or just bring your boots, and turn up on the night
Mini
The Mini Section host their first games of the season this Sunday, when they welcome Holywood to Hamilton Park. Players should arrive at the Club for about 1.30pm to help fully prepare for the fixture.
Parents are requested to contact their coaches to assist with catering arrangements.
Registrations and subscriptions will also be taken on Sundays and everyone is encouraged to register as quickly as possible. Registration forms can be downloaded from the club website at www.ards-rfc.com.
Mini rugby at Ards is open to both boys and girls and is held on Sundays from 2 – 3.30pm and everyone will be very welcome.
For more information about playing Mini rugby at Ards, please contact Ian Caughey on 07917 646980 for more information.
Schools Tag Rugby
Schools tag rugby is expected to get up and running shortly now that the schools have returned from their summer break, and anyone who would like tag rugby (none contact) delivered to their school should contact Emma Hingston, the Sports Development Officer at Ards Borough Council on 02891 824000 to book their place.
Fixtures
Ards 1st XV v Banbridge – UCL (Home)
Ards 2nd XV v Banbridge – League (Home) Kick-off 1pm
Ards 3rd XV v Dromore – League (Away)
Ards 4th XV v Ballyclare – League (Home)
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated
