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Ards emerged as the winners of a closely contested game that was in doubt right up to the end in the latest match in the Nutty Krust Tournament. It was a game in which the lead changed hands on no fewer than four occasions.
Ards took the lead straight from the kick off when their impressive centre Lewis Dugan, who was to prove the difference in the end between the two sides, set off on an arching run which sat him evade four Ballyclare defenders to score in the corner. This seemed to sting Ballyclare into action and not to be outdone their equally impressive centre Craig Wallace, normally a hooker by trade, powered through some weak Ards defence to take play deep into the Ards 22 where unfortunately Ballyclare conceded the first of many penalties at the breakdown. Only minutes later a similar storming run by Wallace saw him score near the posts. The conversion by centre Adam Davis saw Clare gain a 7-5 advantage. Further Ballyclare pressure saw Ards penalised at the breakdown and Davis converted the penalty to stretch Ballyclare’s lead to 10-7. In a game of ever changing fortunes Ards won possession from the kick off and laid siege to the Ballyclare line. Eventually they breached the Clare defensive line to score a try through flanker Adam Johnstone. Out half Ricky Aston added the extra points to put Ards into a 12-10 lead.
In keeping with the pattern of the game Ballyclare now attacked the Ards line for a sustained period and just as Ards thought that they had relieved the pressure through a clearing kick by Aston to the half way line the Ballycalre right wing Calum Lyle set off on a counter attack which took play back into the Ards 22 where anther breakdown infringement by Ards saw Clare awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Davis successfully converted to see Ballyclare regain the lead.
The second half was more of the same with Ards’ centre Dugan and his opposite number Wallace both make numerous line breaks. However both defences held firm with a number of last ditch tackles saving both sides.
As the game entered the final quarter with Ballyclare holding a slender 13-12 lead Ards were forced to defend for long periods. Twice Clare thought they had scored only for the referee to disagree deeming the Ballyclare player had been held up. Ballyclare even turned down an easy penalty shot as they opted either for a scrum or 5 metre lineout. Brave defence stopped centre Wallace on two different occasions just inches short of the try line. With minutes remaining, and Ballyclare seeming encamped on the Ards’ line, Ards centre and Man of the Match Craig Wallace made another of his trademark breaks with a long arching run that saw him take play deep into Ballyclare territory. Ards retained the possession and moved the ball wide for number 8 Harrison to score. The conversion left Ards as 19-12 winners in a tense and tight game.
Ards now face the winners of next Wednesday night’s match, between Ballymena & Omagh, in the quarter finals on Wednesday 30 March.
