Ards were delighted to welcome near neighbours Bangor RFC to Hamilton Park on Saturday. With pre-season training well attended, this was the first opportunity for the Ards coaching team to take a look at most of the senior panel in action.

A contest of 4 sessions of 20 minutes duration began in fine conditions, with a strong wind blowing towards Strangford Lough. Ards had the wind advantage for the first period. Well executed phases and lineouts saw Ards in the Bangor 22 and a move from a driving maul saw captain Robbie Johnston score the opening try in the corner after 5 minutes for a 5-0 lead. Ards had dominance at the scrum and lineout and early season hands cost a chance to extend their lead. Whilst their defence was aggressive, it was also indisciplined at times and handed Bangor 2 opportunities to threaten, both of which were quickly snuffed out as the first period ended.

Both teams saw changes for the second session, which started for Bangor as the first did for Ards. Easier won territory saw sloppy defending at a ruck by Ards and the impressive Bangor openside flanker burst through to score under the posts. The conversion was added and the lead was now Bangor's at 5-7. The next 10 minutes saw 3 chances go begging for Ards, with the final pass letting them down. A number of substitutions were made and a further chance was created, but again the final pass was astray.

Bangor were dominant for the start of the third period and after several attempts, took a score in the corner through their blindside flanker to move their lead out to 12-5. Hard defence was the order for Ards and they managed to centralise an upbeat Bangor. Winning a scrum in their 22, Ards passed the ball wide quickly for wing Ethan Bell to cut back inside and evade several cover tackles to score under the posts. Angus Christie's conversion brought the scores level at 12-12.

The final session saw an early penalty from the restart for Ards and a kick to the corner brought an attacking line out. This led to a scrum, with a driving move off the back that brought Ards under the posts. One more pass to Tom Arthur Donnan saw him crash over for Ards' third try. Duly converted by Christie, the lead was retaken at 19-12. Bangor reacted quickly from the restart and built phases patiently as Ards defended well. Continuing to work the ball, Bangor found an overlap to the right and their centre scored in the corner. The conversion was well taken and the scores were again level at 19-19. With 10 minutes remaining, the sides fought for control and it was Ards scrum that gave them the front foot with ball against the head yet again. Winning a penalty, the option was to go for a line out and a driving maul. On cue, the Ards backline rushed in to add their weight as the maul drove over the line for Donnan to take the score and Ards the winning try for 24-19.

Our thanks to Bangor and no doubt both teams will improve for the contest. Ards now look forward to the visit of CIYMS on Saturday for their final pre-season match.