League Cup Ards RFC U15 22 -v- 5 Banbridge RFC U15
Having met at the start of the season with a 1 point victory to Ards in a hard and closely contested friendly, this was a well anticipated fixture with Bann having finished second in the Ulster Elite League.
From the start, Bann used their strong midfield and back row to carry ball and try to impose a game plan. However, every effort of theirs was met with a well disciplined Ards defensive line to the fore and excellent cover by the back three. Using their absolute domination at the scrum to good effect, Ards then started to impose their own tempo and started to gain the consistent territorial advantage needed to launch phases and moves to threaten the visitor’s line. As the first half was drawing to a close, two such opportunities were created from excellent multi phase moves involving the entire team and both were finished off by fly half Joel DePledge, with one try converted and a 12-0 half time lead to Ards.
An intense half time talk reminded the players their opposition were still a threat and this was demonstrated when Bann hit back shortly after the restart with an unconverted try in the corner. Immediately spurred on, the senior players in the Ards team stepped up to form a framework that the entire team used to determine the shape of the second half.
Using their complete ownership of scrums and line outs as the platform for attack, the backline was released to penetrate in a variety of moves required to break down such a strong opposition. Swapping this with carries by forward pods created the territorial advantage needed to set up the strike moves to make the scores.
Again, it took some time to break down a solid and committed Bann defence, but by now, their pack were weakening fast after being taken apart at scrum time and were being counter rucked at will. Firstly strong runs by the three quarter line were followed by carries by the pack, finished off by a great line taken by flanker Aaron Bittles. After another series of exchanges and with the final whistle beckoning, the best score of the match was taken. Yet another series of carries by forward pods broke the Bann defensive line and the ball was flashed out in a miss pass to wing Matthew Warnock to go over for a final score of 22-5.
Arguably the best display of the season from this U15 team who are all playing their first season of rugby, facing far more seasoned opposition teams.
Our thanks to the visiting Banbridge team and coaches, the referee and most of all to the large number of spectators that included a contingent of club players and senior officials showing their support for the future senior players of Ards.
