Match report: Instonians U16s 9 v Ards U16s 7

Ards U16s lose to Instonians at Shaw's Bridge

Ards U16s travelled to Shaw's Bridge to play Instonians in their first encounter of the season. Instonians have been on winning form and are proving to be the team to beat.

Ards began the game in great spirits and came at Instonians from the kick off. Some hesitation on the part of Ards at the rucks allowed Instonians to gain possession with ease at times. Both teams defended well and Instonians were somewhat lucky to have remained at full strength after an off the ball tip tackle on Ards Captain Callum O’Hanlon, the penalty was awarded for his legs going over the horizontal and landing on his shoulder but no card was shown. An indication of how the referee would continue to apply the laws.

Ards found themselves conceding numerous penalties as they found themselves confused and unable to adjust to the referee's interpretation of the breakdown and tackle.

Instonians took advantage of the situation and were first to put points on the board with a well struck penalty putting the ball between the posts. Instonians 3 v Ards 0

Ards didn’t give up and pressed Instonians defences with them holding steady for over twenty minutes before Ards managed to break the line and with a well timed pass from the Ards Captain to Bailey Young playing at no8, who thundered his way over for his first Ards try and even managed to take the conversion. Instonians 3 v Ards 7

With less than 2 minutes of the half left, Instonians made a break down the wing but outside centre Chris Harris gave chase, with the Instonians player was falling, Harris’ hand touched his head and the referee issued a harsh yellow card resulting in Ards going down to 14 men.

An extra 10 minutes were added (in a half with no stoppages), Instonians pressed but the Ards defence held strong and the score remained Instonians 3 v Ards 7 at half time.

The second half started as confusing as the first with Ards being penalised at every contest. Unable to satisfy the referee, they were unable to secure the ball at rucks or scrums even with the Ards forwards pushing back Instonians, the penalties were awarded to Instonians.

The Ards men showed their maturity in a stressful game as they struggled to meet the changing demands of the referee.

Two penalties awarded towards the end of the game under the Ards posts resulted in Instonians coming away with the win. Instonians 9 v Ards 7.