Ards Rugby 0 – Instonians Rugby 15
This match was played at a windy and muddy Hamilton Park in Ards on 15 January. It was Instonians last league game of the season. Conditions meant that it was largely a game of two halves. Ards had the wind in first half but made little headway against a resolute Instonian defence. They persisted in trying to bash their way through or sending speculative kicks that were run back at them. Instonians, for their part, were guilty of trying to play too much rugby in the bad conditions. Their backs frequently tried to run the ball out of their 22 and risked a dropped pass and the giving away of an easy score. It would have been wiser to have kept the ball tight with short passes within a dominant pack.
It was nil all at half time and Instonians looked forward to the great benefits of the wind behind them in the second half. The match was marred when an Ards player received a serious injury and the ambulance had to be called. Everyone hopes that he will make a complete and speedy recovery.
The game had to be moved to a nearby pitch to allow the emergency services to render assistance. Instonians enjoyed a lot of territorial advantage and possession but resolute Ards tackling and a lack of patience held them out. The game became progressively more fractious and very physical. The game was further marred when an Ards player received a red card and an Instonians a yellow. Indeed it looked at one stage that the referee might abandon the game. This was most regrettable and is not the sort of image that youth rugby wants to have. After the restart Instonians moved up a gear and scored two tries, one converted and a penalty to leave them worthy 15-0 winners.
This means that this young Instonian side have now completed their league by winning all their games. They have a strong, mobile and determined pack and speedy backs that have welded together to be an effective team in both attack and defence. They now look forward to a successful cup campaign.
