Ards U17s hosted English side Leicester Lions on Saturday and gave a very good account of themselves despite being up against superior opposition. The game was played in good spirit as both teams put on a great display of open running rugby. Ards U17s coach Dayle Jones, would like to thank the visitors for making the trip to Hamilton Park and looks forward to a return fixture in the not too distant future.
The U17s will also host another touring side on April 1st. This time the team hails from Barcelona and is called Esportia Universitia. As with the Leicester Lions, Esportia will be very welcome at Hamilton Park and hopefully take some good memories back home with them at the end of their stay.
The 3rd XV and U19s are looking forward to their Glasgow trip on the 16th – 19th April when they will play two games against local opposition and take in the Glasgow v Ulster Magners League game on the Friday night.
The U17s too are all set for their trip to Hampshire on the 29th April – 3rd May, where they will also have two games against local opposition.
Ards have been invited to help promote the Northern Ireland Hospice at a media launch at the Town Hall in Newtownards on the 30th March.
The Hospice has been confirmed as the charity for this years Ards Half Marathon and anyone who would like to get involved in raising much needed funds for this very worthwhile cause, should contact Roy Lawton for further details.
Ards 1st XV return to AIL action this Saturday when they welcome Dublin side Suttonians, to Hamilton Park. This will be Ards last AIL home fixture of the season and also their penultimate league game before they play their final game against Rainey on 10th April. Ards have been gradually improving as the season has progressed and hopefully will be able to end their league campaign on a high with only the two games remaining.
Sadly this will also be the last game for Ards overseas player Jaydon Hill, as he gets set to return to his native South Africa. Jaydon has made a valuable contribution to Ards as well as having a big influence on his teammates and the Ards faithful and has proved to have been a very useful acquisition to the squad this season. Everyone at the club will be sad to see the big man go and extend their best wishes to him for the future.
