ARDS 2nds 7-22 BANBRIDGE 2nds
Ards were missing 4 players from the mid-week win at Belfast Harlequins as they welcomed the unbeaten Banbridge to Hamilton Park.
Banbridge started well and had the home team under early pressure, poor decision making and organising in defence allowed Banbridge to score 2 early tries with one being converted to leave Ards trailing 12-0 after 15 mins.
Ards began to command the scrum with the front row of William Dodds,Conran Stewart, and Ashley Peden dominating.Johhy Carmichael made a number of penetrating line breaks from fly half to keep Ards on the front foot.Ards had Banbridge pinned on their 5mt line on 3 occasions but failed to capitalize. Banbridge shown their quality to end the half with a well worked try from a clean break thought mid-field finished by their young centre. Ards got their fast open rugby game pattern going in the second half and looked the better side. Top try scorer Stephen McKee playing at full-back was getting on the ball with lighting pace and almost scored from a break down the wing. The final loose pass or a knock-on denied Ards a score as the pressure build on the Banbrigde defence. But Ards were creating chances and inside centre Chris McClure earned a well deservered try with a powerful run in under the posts for Michael Hogan to convert.Banbrigde were unfortunately weaken with the loss of 2 players to injuries as Ards upped the tempo but found the defence hard to break down and only had one try to show for their endeavours.
There is strong completion for places in the team and nobody’s place is safe so the players and coaching staff will be knuckling down at training this week to get the attitude right for Saturday’s trip to Instonians.
Team
William Dodds.Conran Stewart.Ashley Pedan.Adam McKee,Pete Coan,Ryan Mills.Davy Chrivers,ben smith,Micheal Hogan,Johhy Carmicheal,Adam Coulter,Neil Armstrong,Euan Adrian,Stevie Mckee.
GAME OF TWO HALVES AT HAMILTON PARK I XV v Banbridge RFC I XV
Ards 27 V 38 Banbridge
For pictures CLICK HERE
Ards welcomed Banbridge to Hamilton Park on Saturday for an Ulster Senior League match and if ever there was a game of two halves, this was it. Banbridge, newly promoted to 2A last season, and having recruited well over the close season, were a formidable challenge for the Ardsmen. This was the third match played by the 1st XV in seven days and it was not surprising there was a degree of fatigue shown in the first half that was dominated by the visitors.
Although Ards started brightly with a Paul Cox penalty in the 5th minute, and with plenty of possession and territory, in the first quarter, Banbridge were in ruthless form. Ian Porter, brought in from the Ulster Academy, was in top form and the visitors backline had strength and pace in abundance. A converted try in the 12th minute, was quickly followed by the same medicene after 18 minutes. Ards then lost their skipper David Graham to a yellow card and during his absence Banbridge managed to score some 19 unanswered points. Worse was to follow with Taylor Ferguson having to leave the field with a painful shoulder injury. The talented centre had suffered a frustating season last year through injury and Ards were delighted to see him back playing again. Taylor is wished a speedy recovery and it is hoped he will be back playing again as soon as possible.
Banbridge stretched their lead to 38-3 just before the interval and Ards were facing a challenging second period. However some encouraging words from Head Coach Mervyn Tweed, David Graham and Scott Young, helped to produce a remarklable turnaround in the second half. The Ardsmen showed considerable resilience in taking the game by the scruff of the neck and proceeded to score four excellent tries of their own. Rob McCausland, who has been putting in some strong displays in the back row powered over from 15 yards and through several tackles to score an unconverted try in the 43rd minure. Scott Young followed suit in the 52nd minute and when David Graham got on the end of a fine handling movement for a try, converted by Cox in the 65th minute, the Ards revival had brought the score to 20-38.
Ards were now in command and the Banbridge team had to dig deep in defence. Some good off loading in the tackle kept Ards going forward and it was the visitors who visably tired in the last 10 minutes. The hard work on their fitness put in by the Ardsmen, was there for all to see as they were in rampant form. In the last minute they were still going strongly, and it was John Dowey who was on hand to take the final pass from David Graham to power over between the posts. Paul Cox added the conversion and Ards had scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. A special word for Willie Dodd, who, having played a full game for the seconds came on as a front row replacement in the 25th minute and put in a sterling performance all afternoon.
This Saturday, Ards play Instonians away in their final match before the All Ireland League kicks off on 29th September. The Ards squad was, Millar, Quinn, Wylie, Weir, Dowey, Calvert, McCausland, Graham, Agnew, Young, T.Devlin, Taylor, Ferguson, N.Beggs, Cox, Dodd, McKee, Croan, McClure, Burns, Carmichael.
