1st XV – Ards 30 v 21 Banbridge
Ards enjoyed their first league win of the season when they hosted Banbridge in an Ulster Senior League fixture at Hamilton Park on Saturday. This was the result the home side had been hoping for to help kick-start their season with an excellent bonus point victory over their County Down visitors. Ards tries were scored by Taylor Ferguson, Ryan Diver, Chris Agnew and Jason Morgan, with Morgan also adding two conversions and two penalties on the day.
Next up for Ards is an away trip to Deramore Park in Belfast where they’ll face Belfast Harlequins on Saturday.
3rd XV – Dromore 25 v 8 Ards
Ards 3rds travelled to Dromore on Saturday in good spirits after their win and performance over City of Derry last weekend, expectations of a win were short-lived when Ards found themselves facing an older but experienced team.
For the second week running Ards conceded points early and found themselves 15 – 0 down within 15 minutes; this was the result of a penalty and two tries scored by Dromore one of which was converted.
The first of these tries was scored by the Dromore winger and was the result of some very poor defending by the entire Ards team; the second of the tries was scored by the Dromore flanker who ran in from the half line after charging down an Ards kick.
Ards went down to 14 men after flank forward Daniel ‘Ducky’ McNally suffered a nasty nose injury and Dromore pressed the Ards team hard, but the Ards line held out and were rewarded for their hard work when the referee penalised Dromore and out-half Michael Taylor slotted the penalty over.
After receiving attention and being bandaged up McNally returned to action and just before half time No.8 Mathieu Wilson barged over the Dromore line after securing good line out ball to score a try, Taylor missed the conversion.
Half-time: Ards 8 – 15 Dromore
Ards started the second half with aspirations of a comeback and indeed took the game to Dromore with some strong rucking and drives by Gareth Corrie and Michael McMenamin.
Ards thoughts of a comeback where short-lived when they lost influential prop Corrie after such a barnstorming run and he had to leave the field of play with what is believed to be a broken or dislocated left foot.
Scrums went to uncontested and Dromore extended their lead by scoring an unconverted try.
Things got even worse for the Ards team when the referee decided Ards flank forward McNally couldn’t continue because of the injury he had received earlier in the game, this meant Ards were now reduced to 13 men.
This took the wind out of Ards sails but to their credit they rallied and fought hard but Dromore killed the game off with another unconverted try to give a final score of Ards 8 – Dromore 25.
Ards will look back on this game and say they made too many unforced errors, didn’t compete enough at the break down and did not play to their strengths.
On a positive note training continues every Tuesday at 7pm, with numbers growing every week there is real competition for places in the 3rds and 4ths. Ards 3rds play Rainey at Ards next Saturday.
Ards 3rds:
1. G Corrie 2. R Hamilton 3. M McMenamin 4. I Presho 5. A Paden 6. D McNally 7. W McCutcheon 8. M Wilson 9. J McKee 10. M Taylor 11. C Braniff 12. T McCandless 13. S Robinson 14. R Scott 15. W Maynard
. 4th XV – Ards 8 v 11 Ballyclare (Match report to follow)
Ladies
The Ladies are still recruiting new players for both their Tag (none contact) and Full-contact sides. If you feel you’d like to have a go, then come along to their training session on Wednesday evenings from 7 – 8.30pm, everyone welcome.
For more information about joining Ards Ladies section please contact Ross Reid on 07801 848762.
Youth
Ards U15s and 17s are gearing up for their first league games in a couple of week’s time and if you want a piece of the action, then come along to training. The Youth train on Tuesday evenings at the Club from 6.45pm and everyone’s welcome.
The U13s will train on Sundays from 2pm and expect to get a number of fixtures arranged in the near future.
Ring Dayle Jones, the Youth Co-ordinator, on 07754 077827 for more details, or just bring your boots, and turn up on the night
Mini
The Mini season got underway for real last Sunday when they welcomed Holywood Mini section to Hamilton Park. Unlike the day before, all the games were able to be played in much drier conditions, albeit a bit damp underfoot.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day and thanks are extended to Holywood for making the trip and to all those who supplied sandwiches for the post games ‘chinwag’ and welcome cuppa.
Registrations and subscriptions are still being taken on Sundays and everyone is encouraged to register as quickly as possible. Registration forms can be downloaded from the club website at www.ards-rfc.com
Mini rugby at Ards is open to both boys and girls and is held on Sundays from 2 – 3.30pm and everyone will be very welcome.
For more information about playing Mini rugby at Ards, please contact Ian Caughey on 07917 646980 for more information.
Congratulations
Ards stalwart Robin Cole has been elected to the office of Junior Vice-President of the IRFU Ulster Branch.
Robin has represented Ards at the Branch for many years and graduates to the Presidency at the start of the 2012/13 season.
Congratulations and good luck to Robin on his appointment, we look forward to his term in office and wish him well over the coming seasons.
Congratulations also to Jenny Young, wife of Ards centre Scott Young, who took part in the Great North Run in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on Sunday, in aid of charity.
Get Well Soon
Ards Youth Co-ordinator Dayle Jones will be out of action for a short while after undergoing knee surgery. This was a pre-arranged operation and Dayle hopes to be back at the helm of the Youth section as soon as possible.
Gareth Corrie on the other hand was not so fortunate and suffered a suspected broken ankle away to Dromore on Saturday with the 3rds.
We hope for speedy recoveries to both Dayle and Gareth and look forward to seeing them back down at the club soon.
Club Physio
Jason Patton has now been confirmed as the new Physiotherapist at Ards RFC
All players wishing to see Jason should contact the 1st XV Manager in the fist instance, to book their place.
Jason will be available at the club on Tuesday evenings from about 6.45pm onwards, with players playing for the 1st XV at the weekend, getting priority listing.
Please do not abuse this very important and necessary facility and stick to the booking order, no queue jumping and only one person in at a time please.
FARLS
The first gathering of the FARLS this season takes place at the Hamilton Park clubrooms, on Friday 24th September from 12.30pm.
The FARLS are entering their 10th year of monthly meetings and look forward to welcoming old and new friends to their Friday afternoon luncheons throughout the season.
Chairman for the season will be that sporting legend Dennis Nash. Dennis needs no introduction to the sporting and leisure interests in the Ards area and the FARLS are sure to have many interesting gatherings under Dennis’ chairmanship.
For more information about the FARLS or to book a place at the luncheons, please contact Dougie Harley at harley25@btinternet.com
Across The Atlantic
Former Ards player, Peter Wallace (son of Playing Chairman Ian) and his band McPeake, were ‘all shook up’ at the weekend, when their bands transport was involved in a traffic accident in New Jersey, USA.
Thankfully, none of the band was seriously injured, which is more than can be said for their transport, which looks like a right-off.
McPeake who play a new alternative brand of Traditional Irish Folk Music, have been taking the USA by storm and you can follow them on www.mcpeakemusic.com
Good luck to everyone in the band, glad to hear you’re all felling fine and still wowing audiences on the other side of the Atlantic.
Player Statics
The latest round of scores have now been added to the player stats ‘wagon wheel’ on the club website and Stevie Bell still leads the charge on 19 points with a chasing pack of five led by Jason Morgan on 15 points apiece.
The 4s are resting next week, so this may be an opportunity for someone else to take over as leading point’s scorer, so watch this space.
Schools Tag Rugby
Schools tag rugby is now up and running once again and anyone who would like tag rugby (none contact) delivered to their school 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.
Subscriptions 2010/11
Subs are now due and can be paid through the team Captains, Youth and Mini Co-ordinators, directly into the Club via the Club Steward or Club Treasurer, by standing order, direct debit or in a one off payment. Cheques should be made payable to Ards RFC.
Subs should be paid, or by arrangement, on or before the 1st October 2010, so please support the Club and pay your subs on time.
For more information, about paying subscriptions, please contact Steven Eachus
Fixtures
Ards 1st XV v Belfast Harlequins – UCL (Away)
Ards 2nd XV v Malone – League (Away)
Ards 3rd XV v Rainey – League (Home)
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated.
