Ards 10 v Omagh 27

Ards welcomed Omagh to Hamilton Park last Saturday hoping to cause an upset against an Omagh team with title aspirations. Improved recent performances gave Ards the confidence to go into the game hoping to cause an upset.

Ards kicked off playing with the late winter sun in their eyes and towards Scrabo Tower. Unlike previous week's Ards were quick to get into their stride dominating the opening 15minutes with good lineout ball and the Ards backs looking sharp.

In the 15th minute Ards were awarded a penalty try following a period of pressure which saw Ards centre Scott Young make a clean linebreak before being well tackled by the last man, the Ards support recycled the ball quickly and moved to right winger Adam Warnock with defenders infront of him and the Omagh line begging, a covering Omagh player hauled him down by the neck from behind, the referee had no option but to award a penalty try, Ards outhalf Paul Cox converted. Ards 7 v Omagh 0

Omagh were in a state of shock under their posts following this opening blitz by Ards, but almost immediately showed why they're title contenders and scored an unconverted try after Ards failed to adequately deal with the restart. Ards 7 v Omagh 5

It was Omagh's turn now to put the pressure on, but the Ards defence was organised and repelled any would be Omagh attack. In the 22nd minute an attempted clearance by Ards centre Trevor Devlin was charged down on the 22 and the Omagh hooker gathered the ball and dotted down over the Ards try line, the conversion was missed. Ards 7 v Omagh 10

Play was then focussed between both teams 22s for the next 15minutes with both teams looking to unlock each other's defence.

In the 38th minute Ards scrum half Chris McClure was penalised for a high tackle, Omagh elected for the scrum rather than kick this kickable penalty, the Ards pack duly pushed the Omagh pack back forcing their No8 to pick up scrappy ball, Ards flanker Chris Hamilton put the No8 back and the supporting Ards back row challenged for the ball, the Omagh No8 didn't release the ball and was penalised.
Cox cleared play into the Omagh half, the resulting lineout saw Ards secure the ball and maul the Omagh pack backwards into their 22, Omagh were penalised for being offside; with no time for a lineout Ards elected to kick at the posts, Cox's attempt went just wide.

Half time: Ards 7 v Omagh 10

Ards maintained their good form in the opening minutes of the second half and continued to press Omagh, with strong carries from prop Matt Kane and second row Ross Torney. However in the 47th minute Omagh forced a turnover in the Ards half and the Omagh No6 ran in under the Ards posts for a converted try. Ards 7 v Omagh 17

Omagh extended their lead in the 53rd minute after a failed Ards kick to touch was gathered by the Omagh no6 who carried the ball deep into the Ards 22, the ball was recycled and moved blind for the Omagh winger to crash over in the corner for an unconverted try. Ards 7 v Omagh 22

Ards attacked at every opportunity hoping to get something out of this game but the Omagh defence remained strong and in the 73rd minute another failed kick to touch saw the Omagh centre counter attack from deep evading would be Ards tacklers and off loading to his supporting centre to score an unconverted try in the clubhouse corner. Final score: Ards 7 v Omagh 27

Unlike matches earlier in the season Ards didn't implode and kept their shape and took the game to Omagh, the Ards scrum was dominant, the lineout performed well and the Ards backs looked threatening every time they got the ball. The players and coaches are working hard at training and the improvement of the team and individuals is clearly evident in recent matches.