Ards 1sts welcomed Carrickfergus RFC to Hamilton Park on Saturday in a Kukri Championship League fixture on Saturday. For many of this young Ards side it was their third match in a week, due to having played for the Ards academy side on Wednesday. The days leading up to the game saw some heavy rain and the pitch was only passed as playable an hour before kick off after plenty of work with forks and brushes to remove lying water. Whilst the Ards pack was unchanged, the backline again saw some injury related changes, with Ethan Bell absent and Joel De Pledge returning.
 
Ards enjoyed some good early possession playing into a decent wind, but it was clear from the outset that conditions would dictate matters. A very heavy pitch made for a game of close heavy contact and regular turnovers. The much larger Carrick pack were able to use these conditions to their advantage, combined with excellent defensive organisation and commitment. Despite the home efforts, they were unable to close off an early opportunity and a kick and chase from spilled ball in midfield led to the visitors’ first try, converted for a 0-7 lead.

Shortly after the restart, their smart kicking game was providing solid territory and a well worked try improved this to 0-12.
 
As the first quarter was closing, a better organised and motivated Carrick took their third score to move the lead to 0-19.

At this stage, Ards were clearly on the ropes and steeled themselves to make inroads against the wind and deep into the Carrick 22. However, they were unable to hold the ball and the chance went begging. Using the wind well, Carrick advanced again into the Ards 22 and a smart play off a lineout saw them run up the blindside for a bonus point try on the stroke of half time and a lead of 0-24.

A very frustrating first half for Ards despite fairly even possession, as the visitors played the conditions and kept their error count low.
 
With the half restarting, it wasn’t long before Carrick were on the scoreboard again. Some loose kicking from Ards gave an opportunity to the Carrick back three to run and kick the ball back deep. Winning the ruck they scored their fifth try in the corner for a 0-29 lead.

As the second half progressed, the Ards bench of Matthew Bell and Ross Torney brought more bulk and impetus in contact and the balance of possession was very much in Ards’ favour. Ards threatened the Carrick line more than once, but the worsening pitch and waning wind saw them happy to take a narrow defensive line and smother Ards’ efforts, as the dead ground underfoot prevented Ards from injecting any dynamism in their game. Whilst the bulk of the second half was well contested by both sides, no further scores were seen.
 
Ards will be genuinely disappointed with their lack of edge and nil scoreline, but following a good run of wins, this wasn’t to be their day against a Carrick side that played some of their best rugby of the season so far. The squad will now concentrate on training this coming week before a league visit to Academy RFC this Saturday.