Instonians Under 19’s registered an excellent 20-14 away win at Ards on Saturday, 11 September. Playing with the wind and a heavy rain in their favour it was not surprising that Ards exerted to the early pressure. They were wide with two penalty kicks from wide out before they scored from a lineout and drive by their big number 8. This was converted to leave them 7-0 up after 13 minutes.
Instonians to their credit responded almost immediately and had a score wide out on the right following a clever dart by their scrumhalf Alistair Irwin. The try came from a penalty kick to touch inside the Ards 22, a good take at the front of the lineout fast hands across the back line and when held at the tackle Irwin was able to break round the ensuing ruck. The try went unconverted but Inst were well in the match by now.
Instonians scored another try after 23 minutes. Again this came from a lineout that was driven to the goal line by the Inst pack where Guy Corr was able to barge his way over. The try was too wide out to allow the difficult conversion.
This was to leave the score 10-7 to Instonians advantage at half time. With the wind now at their backs Instonians soon scored again through a well-taken penalty kick by Matt Keane. Ten minutes into the second half Instonians scored again with a well taken try by Marcus Hart following a fluent back move. This was converted by Matt Keane.
Instonians then enjoyed territorial advantage for much of the rest of the half. But a series of penalties allow Ards to mount a period of sustained pressure in the final minutes. These were repulsed by strong Instonians defence but just before the final whistle the Ards number 8 burst over for his second try which, when converted, left Instonians 20 –14 winners in what had been a hard fought match against a big, physical Ards team.
Instonians are still seeking to add to their Under 19 squad. They are particularly keen to get boys born in 1992/93 who do not get much chance to play rugby in school, college or university. If interested all you have to do is turn up for training at Shawsbridge at 7 pm on Thursday. You will be made very welcome and will have access to first class coaching and be able to make friends with a great bunch of lads.
