Match Reports And Scores
1st XV – City of Derry 32 v 38 Ards
Kelly’s Hero’s Return Triumphant
Laurence Kelly’s men silenced their critics with a superb 38 – 32 bonus point victory over City of Derry at Judges Road in the AIL on Saturday.
Tries by Jason Morgan (2) Conor Piper, Taylor Ferguson, Gareth Wilson and Max Harrison and four conversions from the boot of Morgan, capped not only a magnificent performance but also bagged a precious bonus point along the way.
Well done to all concerned on an excellent days play.
2nd XV – Malone 50 v 5 Ards
3rd XV – Ards 19 v 25 Omagh
4th XV – Ards v Donaghadee – Postponed (Pitch waterlogged)
U19s – No Game
U17s – No Game
IRFU Launch Club 7s Championship
The IRFU have launched an exciting new domestic game initiative with the announcement of the IRFU Club Sevens Championship.
There will be four provincially based tournaments and an All Ireland Club Sevens Championship, with the winning team representing Ireland at a European ‘Ultimate 7′s’ Tournament during the summer.
The IRFU Club Sevens tournaments will see both Men’s (Senior and Junior) and Women’s teams drawn from clubs that compete in the regular fifteen-a-side provincial leagues. The top two teams from each provincial sevens competition will then go on to compete in the IRFU All Ireland Club Sevens Championship.
The Sevens program will be further extended in the 2011/2012 season to include a schools and youths championship.
The four provincial rounds of the IRFU Club Sevens will take place in May with the All Ireland Championship taking place in St. Mary’s College RFC on May 21st this year.
The Munster Championship will be hosted in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) on May 7th with the Ulster Championship in Belfast Harlequins on the same day.
The Leinster and Connacht Championships take place a week later on May 14th, with Terenure College and Galway Corinthians RFC the respective venues.
IRFU Domestic Game Manager Scott Walker said: “The advent of Rugby Sevens as an Olympic sport will see a surge in interest and popularity for the game as a whole. The IRFU Club Sevens Championship aims to introduce the skills of the seven-a-side game at grassroots level with the emphasis on the development of Irish players and the transition to the fifteen-a-side game.”
“We conducted an extensive survey of players and coaches in recent seasons, and Sevens was high on the list of activities that they wanted to see more of. The IRFU Club Sevens Championship will be a great addition to the rugby calendar, a wonderful social occasion and also a fantastic way for players to develop and hone their skills.”
More information on the IRFU Club Sevens Championship including tournament details, coaching and playing tips and registration can be found on www.irfusevens.ie
IRFU Club Sevens Championship
May 7th
IRFU Club Sevens – Munster Championship
IRFU Club Sevens – Ulster Championship
May 14th
IRFU Club Sevens – Leinster Championship
IRFU Club Sevens – Connacht Championship
May 21st
IRFU Club Sevens – All Ireland Championship
Youth
The draw for the 32nd annual Nutty Krust Rugby Floodlit Tournament has been announced ahead of the tournament kick off on 23rd February.
The competition will see fifteen of Ulster’s finest U-19 club teams compete on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in a bid to lift the coveted trophy on 4th May 2011. The Draw, made by Ulster Branch President Sir Nigel Hamilton has pitted 2010 winners Dromore against Randalstown and tournament hosts Portadown against Coleraine.
Sir Nigel Hamilton, President Ulster Branch (IRFU) explains: “The Nutty Krust Rugby Floodlit Tournament is extremely important and has a long and illustrious history of young talent coming through the competition. I would like to commend the organisers; Portadown Rugby Club as hosts and Irwin’s Nutty Krust as long term sponsors, as without such sponsorships Tournaments like this couldn’t take place.”
Brian Irwin, chairman of Irwin’s Bakery, who has been primary sponsor of the Tournament since 1979 commented: “Irwin’s is a keen supporter of grassroots sports development in Northern Ireland across Soccer, Youth Rugby and GAA and we are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Nutty Krust Rugby Floodlit Tournament. Now in its 32nd year, the Tournament is an institution and continues to foster young talent, such as Irish rugby stars Stephen Ferris and Tyrone Howe, who played in the Tournament as U19s. The success and longevity of the Nutty Krust Tournament is due to the dedication and continued investment of time by the organisers who do an excellent job year on year.
“I have no doubt the matches this year will deliver exciting results and Irwin’s Bakery would like to encourage the public, young and old, to join us on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for a 7.45pm kick off at Chambers Park and enjoy some excellent rugby.”
The Round 1 draw is as follows:
Coleraine v Portadown (23/02/11)
Ballynahinch v Malone (02/03/11)
Larne v Armagh / Monaghan (08/03/11)
Dundalk v Instonians (09/03/11)
Randalstown v Dromore (15/03/11)
Ballyclare v Ards (16/03/11)
Ballymena v Omagh (23/03/11)
Bye – Raney Old Boys
For further information please contact Nicola Adamson at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or email: n.adamson@morrowcommunications.com.
MATCH REPORT
Ards 3rds 19 v 25 Omagh
Ards 3rds welcomed league leaders Omagh to Hamilton Park this week, having been defeated 15 -10 by Omagh earlier in the season, Ards were keen to make amends and inflict what would be only Omagh’s second defeat of the season.
Ards could not have got of to a worse start when after only a minute they conceded a soft try to the left of the posts at the Scrabo Tower end; this was directly attributable to poor receiving of the kick off by Ards. The Omagh center added the conversion.
Omagh quickly extended their lead tp 10- 0 by converting a penalty, awarded when Ards flank forward Conor McCullough was penalised at the breakdown.
This was a wake up call for the Ards team and after a period of Ards pressure during which Omagh conceded a number of penalties in quick succession Omagh were reduced to 14 men when one the Omagh back row was sin binned.
Ards continued with this high tempo game of direct running and forcing Omagh onto the back foot and were rewarded for their work when captain and center Jay McKenzie went over under the posts for a converted try. Ards 7 – Omagh 10.
Omagh responded by tightening their game up and played no risk rugby, utilising their driving maul and their kicking game. After one such kick Ards found themselves with a defensive line-out which second row Ian Presho won and was driven on by his pack, only to concede a penalty which Omagh took quickly and drove over for an unconverted try; this try was conceded with Omagh still down to 14 men.
From the resulting kick off Ards were reduced to 14 men when on the 30th minute Ryan Mills was red carded for use of the boot, at the same moment the sin binned Omagh player returned to action.
In the remaining 10 minutes of the half Ards defended well and indeed had ooportunities to score when No.8 Mathieu Wilson was held up ober the Omagh line and full back Willie Maynard was well tackled close to the Omagh line.
Half time: Ards 7 – Omagh 20
The second half kicked off with Ards expecxting to weather the Omagh storm; this did not materialise and it was the 14 men of Ards who took the game to Omagh.
The Ards pack were driving well and the ball carrying abilities of No.8 Wilson and hooker Conran Stewart were clearly evident, they were ably supported by flanker Andrew Fletcher and prop Richard Hamilton.
Mid way through the second half and against the run of play Omagh extended their lead when they managed to take advantage of their extra man and the Omagh winger scored an unconverted try in the corner despite the covering defence of winger Garrett Dynes and full back Maynard.
Many would have thought the game was over but to Ards’ credit they went straight back at Omagh and No.8 Wilson, who was having a great game showed all his strength to barge over for a well deserved try which scrum half Graham Martin converted. Ards 14 – Omagh 25.
With 15 minutes of the game left to play Ards believed they could still win this game. Ards kept up the tempo and with stong running in midfield by centers McKenzie and Chris Braniff, Omagh were defending for their lives.
Omagh resorted to slowing play down by killing ball on the ground and conceding penalty after penalty. Despite being warned by the referee it took to the last few minutes of the game for Omagh to be reduced to 14 men for the second time in the game.
In the last play of the game center Jay McKenzie scored his second try of the game when he split the Omagh defence to score an unconverted try.
Final score: Ards 19 – Omagh 25
Over a beer in club house it was disclosed by Omagh that they considered this to be their biggest game of the year and the two meetings between both teams were what they considered to be their toughest thus far this season.
All in all a good performance by the Ards team but team manager Gareth Paden reflected on ‘ too many mistakes and thought the team not to be streetwise enough at certain times in the game.’
Ards 3rds have no game this week and are encouraged to lend their support to other teams in the club on Saturday.
Mini
Ards are in line to host one of the Ulster Rugby Summer Camps for 2011 commencing Monday August 8.
Both boys and girls from 6 – 12 years of age will be eligible to take part in this week long event and more details will be made available soon.
In the meantime please sign up to this Camp via Ulster Rugby or contact Ian Caughey for more information.
The Ards Mini Rugby Tournament this season will take place on Sunday April 10 from 12 noon. Details on the Tournaments format are still being worked out and will be announced in the coming weeks. Any parent or guardian who would like to assist the Mini Committee in organising such a mammoth event or help out on the day would be very welcome and is asked to contact their respective coaches or forward their contact details on to the Mini Co-ordinator, Ian Caughey.
The Minis next set of friendly games are away to Instonians on Saturday March 5. Players should meet at Shaws Bridge, Belfast (Beside the Ramada Hotel) no later that 9.45am
Minis training on Sunday February 27 from 2pm.
Club Poll For Sky Television
Big Eachey is canvassing support to have Sky installed in the Club but needs your help to pay for the privilege. He’s keen to see how many people will assist him with either a monthly Direct Debit/Standing Order or monthly financial contribution before arranging for its installation.
The more people who say YES to Eachey’s initiative, the cheaper it will be for everyone.
Please register your vote on the Poll on the lower left of the homepage on the Club website. The result will be made known at the end of February.
Social
The FARLS next gathering will be held in the clubrooms at Hamilton Park on Friday February 25, 12:30 for 1pm.
Please confirm your attendance at the luncheon and choice of menu, beef or salmon, to your usual point of contact as soon as possible, so that numbers can be catered for.
The next RBS 6 Nations Club promotion will take place on Sunday February 27, during the Scotland v Ireland game.
The Club bar will be open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and pints can be purchased for only £2.50 per pint, but only on production of your 2010/11 Ards RFC membership card.
Club members not yet in possession of their membership cards, can call in at the Club during normal opening hours and speak with the Club steward Terry Atcheson or Big Eachey, who will be more than happy to furnish patrons with their cards.
Hot Irish stew and ballot will also be on the go, so come on down and enjoy the craic.
The Annual Club Dinner will be held in the clubrooms at Hamilton Park on Wednesday March 16 from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 and places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please contact Teddy Sloan or Terry Atcheson for more information.
Tag Rugby
The Schools Tag Rugby Blitz for the Ards Borough has now been confirmed for Thursday March 17. Teams should arrive at Ards Rugby Club at approximately 10:00am to register, with the event itself kicking off at 10.45am. All Schools in the Ards Borough will be invited to enter a team and more details on the actual itinerary will be released soon.
Tag Rugby (non-contact) is for both boys and girls and can be played both indoors and out. Anyone who would like this great activity delivered to their school or clubs should contact Emma Hingston, the Sports Development Officer at Ards Borough Council on 02891 824000 or e-mail emma.hingston@ards-council.gov.uk to book their place.
Fixtures – Saturday February 26
Ards 1st XV v Connemara – AIL (Home)
Ards 2nd XV v TBC
Ards 3rd XV v TBC
Ards 4th XV v Carrickfergus – League (Home)
Ards U19s v Carrickfergus – Friendly (Away) Kickoff 2pm
Ards U17s v TBC
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm kickoff unless otherwise stated.
Please refer to the club website at www.ards-rfc.com for any late changes
