U17’s claim League Title
by Alan McHugh
Ards U17’s take an away win at Civil Service to win their League
Almost 3 years ago, 2 of the existing coaching team were turning up to train 6 or 7 lads who were keen to learn the game. Some of them had played the odd game at high school, some had been away for a few seasons as former minis members, but they were good mates and put a lot in, whatever the weather. Gradually, they started to bring other mates along and other players new to the game started to arrive as word got around.
Fast forward to this morning and that bunch of lads claimed their 11th win of the season and with it, their League.
Playing against the bottom team, Civil Service RFC, who had yet to register a win this season, the fixture was in danger of being a major anti climax after a series of tough encounters. However, the squad was challenged in pre-match to keep their style and standards high and respect an opposition that have not bowed down to anyone this season, no matter how they fared.
In the first half, Ards took their time to establish dominance against a fired up opposition, despite enjoying territorial advantage, but managed to register scores from Danny McCullough, Rhys Hedley, Adam Carroll and Alex Gaw, 3 of which were converted by Joel DePledge to leave a half time lead of 26-0.
With 1st phase well controlled and producing plenty of turnover and the upper hand held in all facets of play, the expectation was for the score to be heavily extended into the second period. However, we were treated to the surreal experience of conceding in excess of 30 penalties for the most technical of breaches and the game degenerated into a semi-opposed defensive training session as the referee walked the opposition forward 5 metres at a time. Despite the penalties conceded, no yellow cards and no warnings issued, all in all somewhat puzzling.
However, with the final minutes ticking, we managed to work down to a 5 metre scrum without offending the rugby gods and scored a fine pick and go try from No8, from a 5 metre scrum.
So, the final (thankfully) whistle went and with it scenes of jubilation as this fine bunch of lads claimed the League title.
The Man Of The Match Award this week will actually go to the pea in the ref’s whistle. The poor thing was battered and gave everything it had today and I wish it a speedy recovery.
Many thanks to the opposition, firstly to a team that never gave up throughout and secondly to their groundstaff for a superb playing surface that belied the recent weather conditions.
