With the wind at their backs, Insonians kicked off at Hamilton Park, last Saturday, as strong favourites to take the spoils, following a series of good results in the All Ireland League. It was the excellent Ards defence that repelled a number of Instonians attacks in the early exchanges. The wind made it difficult for Ards to gain any territorial advantage and only an excellent last ditch tackle by Ards full back Jason Morgan prevented Inst from opening their account in the 8th minute.

But It was Instonians who scored the first points though a penalty by Nick Finlay in the 12th minute.

From the re-start, it was Ards who showed most endeavours as they forced their way back into the game and an excellent solo effort by wing Taylor Ferguson brought play deep into the opponents half. However a series of penalties against Ards allowed Instonians to relieve the pressure and bring play back into Ards territory. For the next 5 minutes it was only the tenacity of the Ards defence that kept Instonians at bay.

This dogged defence brought its own results for Ards, in the 24th minute, when a smart kick by winger Mark Banford forced play deep into Instonian’s territory. From the break down, the Instonian’s scrum half failed to find touch and a good movement involving Ards backs Stewart Paul, Jason Morgan and Taylor Ferguson took play into the opponents 22. The Ards team’s endeavours were rewarded by a penalty and Jason Morgan added the points.

From the restart, Instonians were quickly back on the attack as they pinned Ards in the corner and forward Gary Mitchell scored a converted try from close quarters in the 30th minute.

The last 10 minutes of the first half belonged to Ards, who were showing more ambition and it was they who were closest to scoring, when centre Jonny McLachlan’s pass found Scott Young in space. Scott passed to Taylor Ferguson and the flying young winger once again tore into the Instonians 22 only to be forced out of play 10 metres from the line. This was the last play of the half which saw the score at 10 points to 3 in favour of the visitors.

With the wind at their backs, Ards had every reason to go into the second half with confidence that they could reverse Instonian’s advantage. Indeed Ards did start the more aggressive and took play deep into the opposition half. Once again excellent Ards play resulted in a converted penalty in the 48th minute by Jason Morgan.

By now both players and spectators alike sensed that Ards were capable of turning the game around and some excellent forward play by Stephen Minnis, Conor Piper and Ross Sinnamon brought play into the opponents 22. Just when all looked set for an Ards try, there was a mix up in the attack and an interception by Instonians captain Stephen Douglas led to a converted try in the 51st minute.

Ards were quickly back on attack and an excellent up and under kick from winger Mark Banford forced a penalty infringement from Instonians and Jason Morgan added the 3 points, to reduce the deficit to 17 points to 9 in favour of the visitors.

It was ‘Inst’ who put the next points on the board in the 63rd minute, when they took advantage of another interception and scrumhalf Michael Sargent run 80 meters to score under the posts. Nick Finlay added the conversion. In spite of this set back Ards continued to play most of the rugby and they were rewarded with a penalty in the 71st minute which Jason Morgan converted.

The last 9 minutes failed to produce any more points and Instonians ran out eventual winners by 24 points to 12.

Once again this was a game that Ards could have won and in the end it was the 14 points which they gifted to their opponents that decided the outcome. On a positive note the team played with great spirit and defended very well but they must cut down on the unforced errors and be more willing to use kicking as an option for gaining territory and as part of the game plan.

Playing the way they are, it is only a matter of time before the team records its first win in the AIL and there is no better place to do so than in Limerick next Saturday.