Match Reports And Scores
1st XV – Ards 34 v 32 Connemara
2nd XV – No game
3rd XV – No game
4th XV – Ards 49 v 0 Donaghadee
U19s – Ards 15 v 36 Randalstown
U17s – No Game
The Feel Good Factor Continues At Hamilton Park
Another good day in the office was had by the 1st and 4th XVs on Saturday.
Headline Photos L-R:
Alan Crawford 1st XV about to score v Connemara
Richard Aston U19s scores v Randalstown
Scott Young 1st XV scores v Connemara
Laurence Kelly’s men made it two in a row with a 34 – 32 home win over Connemara in the AIL.
Tries scored by Jason Morgan, Scott Young, Alan Crawford and Michael McMenamin, all converted by Morgan who also added two penalties, gave the Ardsmen another great result and valuable winning bonus point.
At the same time, the long awaited return to action for Robin Johnston’s Black Knights, proved very fruitful when they ran out 49 – 0 victors over Donaghadee in this quarterfinal fixture of the McCambley Cup.
Days like these give a real buzz about the place and it’s very refreshing to see so many folk enjoying the occasion.
Great stuff lads, lets have more of the same please.
Youth
The Cumnock RFC tour to Ards RFC will take place on Saturday May 7 from 10am
Proposed Itinerary
10.30 Cumnock and Guest XV arrive at Ards RFC and piped off the coach and into changing rooms.
10.40 Welcome greeting from the Mayor of Ards Jim Murdock.
11.10 Pre-match warm up
12.00 Pitch 1 Ards U19 Select v Cumnock, 20 minutes each way. Pitch 2 ARDS 3rd XV v Guest XV
13.00 Pitch 1 Cumnock v Guest XV. Pitch 2 Ards U19s v Ards 3rd XV.
14.00 Pitch 1 Ards 3rd XV v Cumnock. Pitch 2 Ards u19s v Guest XV
(All games will be 20 minutes each way)
15.00 Shower, Change, into Clubhouse,
15.30 Post match meal
16.30 Speeches and presentation of trophies
17.00 Local entertainment and general craic begins.
For more information on the tour, please contact Joe Kelly or Gary Aston
Mini
Ards Minis will play Instonians at Shaws Bridge Belfast (Beside the Ramada Hotel) on Saturday March 5 from 10am. Players should meet at Shaws Bridge at 9.30am.
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.
Social
There was another good turnout in the Clubhouse for the Scotland v Ireland RBS 6 Nations Club promotion. Thanks are extended to all those who helped out on the day and also to the patrons for supporting the event.
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.
Sports Awards
So far Ards U17s and U12s have been shortlisted for the Ards Borough Sports Awards on March 11 in the Queens Hall Newtownards.
This is great news for the Club and no matter what happens on the night, shows they’ve given the judges much food for thought.
Well done folks and good luck at the ceremony
IRFU Charitable Trust
A coffee morning in aid of the IRFU Charitable Trust, will be held in Strean Presbyterian Church Halls, West Street, Newtownards on Saturday 5th March from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. The Trust is in aid of severely injured rugby players and everyone and all donations will be very welcome.
Some background information about the Trust.
THE IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST was formed in 1978 and assists seriously injured rugby players in their every day lives and helps them restore their confidence and independence.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
Takes many forms such as: –
Financial assistance for medical, nursing and caring expenses
Home Alterations
Education and Training Costs
Provision of wheelchair and specialised equipment
Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Conversion Costs
ANNUAL COST
Approximately 200,000 euro’s (£180,000)
FUNDED BY
Direct Grants from IRFU
Various Fundraising Campaigns and Donations
REGISTERED
Currently 33 injured Rugby Players Registered In Ireland
Most are wheelchair bound and have some form of permanent paralysis.
For more information, please Contact Ross or Neil Workman.
Ards Exiles
Former Ards Player Keith Laughlin who also Captained Newcastle Uni, has been snapped up by National Div 1 side Blaydon RFC in England.
Keith who turned out a number of times in the front/back row for the Senior section at Ards, has come on leaps and bounds in the prevailing years since leaving these shores and is another Ards Exile still plying his rugby trade across the pond.
See how Keith progresses by logging on to Http://www.blaydonrfc.co.uk..
Well done Keith, keep up the good work.
Tag Rugby
So far at least 15 local Primary Schools have signed up to the local Primary Schools Tag Rugby Blitz due to take place at Ards RFC grounds at Hamilton Park, Newtownards on 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.
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 club 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 March 5
Ards 1st XV v Rainey Old Boys – USL (Away)
Ards 2nd XV v Rainey Old Boys – League (Away) Kickoff 1pm
Ards 3rd XV v Dromore – League (Home)
Ards 4th XV v Belfast Harlequins – League (Home)
Ards U19s v TBC
Ards U17s v TBC
Mini v Instonians – Friendly (Away) Kickoff 10am
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
