Ards 3rds victor at Stormont

Stormont might be out but it was business as usual for Ards 3rds on Saturday.

Ards thirds ensured the rare blackwash by completing a perfunctory victory over Civil service seconds.

The Ards squad strength in depth has been sorely tested in recent weeks and yet again both new and returning members of the Black Knight rose to the occasion. The return of Will McCutcheon and a debut for Rhys McKee provided the pack with added vigour.

Rhys put in an all action display with McCutcheon rolling back the years with a masterclass in the lineout the Ards pack were able to dominate the Civil service eight. Also returning was the mercurial Gareth Wilson who immediately slotted into the playmaking role and directed operations to great effect.

Overall Ards had too many attacking weapons for service to contain, Oren Kisby probably shaded the Man of the Match award with a superb display after he opened the scoring from close range. 

Bale Tabaiwalu continued his good form adding a second before a spectacular individual try from Chris Bridges who ran back a loose kick from his own 22, stepping several would be tacklers before hitting top speed around the half way line to carry him clear of the covering defence to dot down.

Rhys McKee got the try his performance so richly deserved before Davy Thompson’s predatory instincts got ‘El Capitan’ on the scoreboard.

The crowd were still talking about Bridge’s spectacular effort when Adam Carroll produced another sublime score which incredibly could rival his teammates as the try of the season so far.

Carroll was initially aiming to clear via a box kick but when the ball drifted back infield the young Ards prospect chased his kick and re-gathered before it hit the deck. He accelerated beyond the initial tacklers and then body-swerved past the service fullback before powering to the line. Carroll also converted four of the Ards tries to give him a personal haul of 13 and continue his excellent mid season form.

Final score Ards 38 - Civil Service 0.