Lansdowne 28 v 19 Ards

Ards travelled south to the RDS Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, the home of Leinster Rugby; where they were hosted by AIL Division 2 side Lansdowne, in the first round of the AIB Cup. The Ards ranks were further bolstered this week by the return of Michael Lawton from Inter-provincial U20s duties, David Armstrong, back from injury and Michael McMenamin and Allen Bloxham’s promotion into the senior squad. Ards also unveiled their new international signing, Jaydon Hill. Jaydon, the tall rangy blonde haired back row forward who hails from South Africa, and whose impressive CV includes playing for SA Schools and Natal Sharks, has recently been playing for AIL Division 1 side Blackrock, in Dublin, and gives coach Cois Beukes more lineout and ball carrying options for his bustling young squad.

The game kicked off in soaring temperatures, as the late September sun refused to make way for the impending autumnal change which signals the onset of the winter season, as both teams looked to gain the upper hand in the early exchanges. With barely 2 minutes on the clock, the hosts got the first points on the board after some scrappy defence by Ards resulted in a penalty just inside their 22. The game quickly settled down after that as both teams then took turns to attack, defend and counterattack, as each tried to find their way through the others lines of defence.

Seventeen minutes on the clock, and after sustained pressure by the visiting forwards, Ards got their own account up and running when the hosts conceded a penalty just outside their own 22. This was converted by Michael Lawton. Ten minutes later the hosts landed another penalty and on 33 minutes scored a converted try. By now Ards had lost a bit of momentum as Ajay Derwin and Johnny Dawson, both had to retire due to minor injuries and were replaced by David Armstrong and Jaydon Hill. A further unconverted try was then scored by the hosts on the stroke of half time to leave the score a very respectable 18 – 3 to Lansdowne at the break.

Ards were competing well in every aspect of play, with solid scrums and decent lineout ball more evident in this game than previously seen. Michael McMenamin’s size and strength was making a major impact for his team in the set piece and also in the loose, as the big man made his presence felt right across the park. In the backs, Stewart Paul at out-half was controlling things better as he clinically dictated the pace for his backline, as he unleashed wave after wave of attacks with his tactical awareness and astute mental application.

In the second half, a more balanced looking Ards upped the tempo and produced some exquisite looking rugby with great handling and breaks from the backs after solid platforms were laid down by the forwards. Kenny Heslip and Jaydon Hill looked very comfortable together, carrying good ball deep into opposition territory and the front row of McMenamin, Conor Piper and Johnny Millar, were more than a match for their southern counterparts, as they locked down solid in every scrum.

More hard yards by the forwards and another three penalties from Lawton’s boot then brought the scores up to within touching distance as the young Ardsmen, whose average age is only 23, began to scent a major upset on the cards over their star studded Leinster opponents. Lansdowne were no pushovers though, and responded as one would expect and scored an unconverted try. Fifteen minutes from time, and Ards had given it their all. With players gasping for breath and playing on through the pain barrier, coach Beukes replaced the entire front row with Andrew Foster, Johnny Garrett and Johnny Wylie, to help bring more impetuous into the team.

With fresh legs and sheer grit and determination, Ards then turned on the magic to score a beauty of a try which sent a shiver of great expectations down the spine. In the seventy third minute, unrelenting forward power by the visitors and desperate defending by the hosts saw Chrissy Allen at nine, whip out fast ball to Stewart Paul at ten who then popped it back inside off his left shoulder to an express train in the guise of Michael Lawton who had come in off his left wing. The exciting teenager then ‘fishtailed’ through the opposition ranks at pulsating speed to score a corker of a try which he then converted himself to bring Ards score up to 19, and trail the hosts by only 4 points, with only minutes remaining on the clock.

This wasn’t quite going to plan for the Leinster men, after all Ards were only Division 3 and they were a Division 2 side who’d just missed out on promotion last season, plus they had a number of Leinster squad players on display to help boost their chances.

As Ards continued to pile on the pressure, call it luck or fate, but the hosts got the break they craved for and got a turnover ball. They raced up the park with Ardsmen in hot pursuit but were forced to score a touchdown out wide by the young visitor’s presence in defence. The try was unconverted and after another minute of the play the final whistle was sounded leaving a very relieved Lansdowne overall winners by 28 points to 19.

This was a superb performance by such a young squad of players, and marshalled by their slightly older teammates, helps lift the spirit and gives a timely boost to morale in time for the arrival of Barnhall at the start of the AIL season next week.

Michael Lawton’s personal point’s tally of 19 points on the day helps banish the demons from the teenager’s wretched U20s Inter-provincial campaign. Michael being a natural wing/fullback was required to play out of position and act as bench cover for the scrumhalf and only managed five minutes of actual game time throughout the entire series. New signing Jaydon Hill looks like he’ll be able to slot in very nicely to the squad and brings a lot of variety with his game. Michael McMenamin, David Armstrong and Allen Bloxham, all rose to the occasion and are a welcome addition to Cois Beukes emerging and improving young squad.

Ards squad;- J Millar, C Piper, M McMenamin, J Dawson, J Dowey, A Bloxham, K McCombe, K Heslip, C Allen, S Paul, A Derwin, S Young, T Ferguson, M Lawton, M Banford, A Foster, J Garrett, J Wylie, D Armstrong, J Hill.