Lisburn overcome Ards in major upset.
The TATA sponsored Lisburn first XV travelled to Ards last Saturday in buoyant mood after their very positive display the previous Tuesday when they put in a very strong performance against Qualifying One club Dromore on their own patch. This time they travelled with a smaller squad of 22 players to take on senior AIL team Ards.
Under the shadow of the Scrabo Tower in perfect running conditions they put in a storming game of rugby. Even without the injured Ally Finlay and David Curry they were still full of running as they attacked the home team from the start. Robin Brown, standing in for Finlay in the unaccustomed position of scrumhalf, opened the scoring with an opportunist drop goal and within fifteen minutes, following great pressure by the Lisburn pack, their free-running backs had their patience rewarded when outhalf Owen Hilary drew the defence out wide to put flying winger Noel Hooke in for the first try of the game in the corner. 0-8 to Lisburn.
Within minutes Lisburn were further ahead when full back Scott Hughes broke up the left hand touchline to take out the covering defence and then put in supporting second row Graham Lee for their second try. While the conversion failed, Lisburn were now 0-13 in front and their tails up. Lisburn have had a tremendous influx of new players into the club this season and their influence was proving extraordinary, both to the quality of the play and the high morale of the team. Training for the last six weeks has been exceptional and their fitness and skill levels have come on the proverbial ton.
Five minutes before the interval, following more pressure on the Ards line, Number 8 Mark got possession and grounded the ball through a throng of players and with the conversion being successful on this occasion, Lisburn went into the interval with an amazing 0-20 lead. To say that the Ards Senior XV were shell-shocked would be an under- statement.
Manager Stephen Graham gathered his troops at half time and prepared them for the expected onslaught in the second period as there was no way that a Mervyn Tweed coached team was going to be allowed to take such a beating lying down. Mervyn, an ex Lisburn player in the Qualifying League One glory days, when Lisburn won that league, roused his players to greater heights and from the start they began to claw their way back into the game. Within three minutes they had their first try on the board following a period of sustained pressure and for the next half hour they hammered away at the Lisburn defence seeking a way through. However, the visitors defence stood firm with the back row of Mark, Kidd and Hendron outstanding and the outside backs doing their share of the work also, the Ards attack were being blunted time and time again.
On the 25 minute mark a short kick ahead through the Lisburn defence was unable to be touched down to the referee’s satisfaction and an onrushing Ards back had the simple task of falling on the loose ball. The conversion made the score 12 – 20 and with fifteen minutes to go it looked as if the Ards momentum might carry them through. However, the Lisburn defensive coaching manual has been at the forefront of their pre-season training programme all summer and it stood to their good.
After repulsing everything that Ards could throw at them, Lisburn came right back into the game during the last ten minutes and camped inside the home half to solidify a fine win. This match, following the fine display against Dromore, helps the team to build momentum as they approach their first League encounter, away to Larne on 10th September.
In the meantime, the club are seeking to arrange some more friendly fixtures for the 2nd and 3rd XVs and if you have not yet turned out for training, now is the time to start. Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.30pm are the training times.
