Ladies
‘Scrum’ on down and meet the girls!
Ards ladies players are going to be out and about in Ards shopping centre on Saturday and Sunday this week to meet the public and chat about their sport and how girls can become involved. This gives a great opportunity to meet the players (none of which are big or scary nor a stereotypical ‘rugby build’) and talk to them about the game and the training. The players will be able to talk, first hand, what it’s like down training, the upcoming games, the social events and to opportunities that are only round the corner for girls interested in contact and non-contact but definitely fun.
This is sure to be a great way to be able to ask the girls who actually take part what it is like and any questions you may have. It also means that should you come down and give it a try you’ll already know people at practice and will not expect to walk into a changing room or clubhouse not knowing anyone.
The girls will be down in their newly received training kit of black tracksuit bottoms and red/white/black tops.
Please feel free to call down and chat to the players and see what could be there for you at Ards Rugby Club!
Match Report
Ards 3rd XV 20 V 3 Queens
Ards 3rds got their Forster Cup campaign of to a winning start with a well deserved win over Queens at Hamilton Park on Saturday.
Playing against the wind in the first half Ards took the game to Queen from the start, playing smart, tight rugby dominated by the ball carrying abilities of Darren Heron and Mathieu Wilson.
The opening score came after 13 minutes when centre Jay McKenzie ran a great line and bulldozed his way through his opposite number to score a try to the left of the posts after the forwards secured good line out ball and played through several phases of driving play. The conversion was missed.
The remainder of the half was a keenly fought affair but very scrappy; penalties were being awarded against both sides for infringements at the breakdown varying from not releasing the ball and players not staying on their feet.
On 35 minutes after one such infringement Queens were awarded a penalty which was duly converted.
The half finished with Ards down to 14 men as 2nd row Mathieu Wilson had to leave the field with a blood injury.
Half time: Ards 5 v Queens 3
With the teams switching round at half time Ards now had the strong wind on their backs and were encouraged by team manager Gareth Paden to play field position rugby and keep the young, speedy Queens back line deep in their own half.
These plans received a set back when experienced centre Ewan Adair was sin binned for a misdemeanor, this seemed to give the Queens team some impetuous and the tempo of their game increased…Ards were not found wanting and stout defence by the back row of captain Andrew Crozier, Conor McCullough and Ryan Mills ably supported by Tim McCandless at scrum half and Chris Webster at out half kept the slate clean whilst down to 14 men.
Centre Ewan Adair returned to the fray and Ards stretched their lead with a well struck penalty by full back Stephen Robinson.
Ards then started to increase the intensity of their game and with good field position exert pressure on the Queens line which to Queens credit they repelled on several occasions. It was centre Jay McKenzie who
made the break through and scored his second try of the game with a typical barn storming run breaking through several would be tacklers and scoring under the posts, full back Robinson was successful with the conversion .
The game was then secured in the final few minutes by a well taken try in the corner by winger Willie Maynard as the result of a field position kick which was caught by Queens but the chasing Ards players turned the ball over and Maynard showed his soccer skills and kicked the ball ahead to dive on it as it went over the try line.
This was a hard earned but well deserved win by the Ards team, who now progress into the Quarter Finals of the Forster Cup.
Final score: Ards 20 v Queens 3
Ards team: Richard Hamilton, Darren Heron, Michael McMenamin, Ian Presho, Mathieu Wilson, Conor McCullough, Ryan Mills, Andrew Crozier, Tim McCandless, Chris Webster, Daniel McNally, Jay McKenzie, Ewan Adair, Willie Maynard, Stephen Robinson.
Training continues on Thursday evening at 7pm, attendance is encouraged and competition for places is keen.
This Saturday the 3rds are away to Portadown in the league and hope to achieve a double over Portadown this season.
