Saturday saw Ards’ latest pre-season match at Hamilton Park. Following on from last week’s win against local rivals Bangor, this week’s visitors were CIYMS RFC, who won promotion from the league last year with a strong campaign. With both sides having added to their squads in the off season and both at near to full strength, a good contest was in prospect. With another warm day and the main pitch in fantastic shape, the conditions were set for a quality running game of rugby across 4 period of 20 minutes.

The visitors started well and the opening minutes saw them almost entirely in possession of the ball. With neither seeking or finding a pause in play, Ards’ defence was working hard. However, a few dozen phases for CI saw one carry too many by their forwards and the opening try taken for a 0-7 lead. Ards were straight back into the game from the restart and some slick work from the backline earned possession deep in the visitors’ 22. Good structure from the Ards pack saw prop Matthew Kane take an equalising score under the posts and the conversion from Joel DePledge brought the points level at 7-7. Following a robust battle for possession in the middle of the pitch, CI emerged with another set of phases and with 15 minutes gone, claimed their second try out wide. The difficult conversion was well taken and the lead was regained at 7-14. Ards responded well, but lacked the edge to finish as the first period closed.

Having the wind advantage in the second period brought better opportunity for Ards. Early territory and massive scrum dominance saw them earn a penalty 10 metres out. The scrum option taken, DePledge picked from No8 and barrelled his way over out wide for Ards’ second try. The conversion was just wide, but the gap was narrowed to 12-14. With Ards’ tails up, a great break on the right gave them another platform to attack in the 22. Debutant flanker Ben Goldthorpe saw a good line from second row Matthew Bell, who took out 3 defenders and popped a pass to the tracking Goldthorpe to score under the posts. The conversion from Angus Christie was good and the lead finally taken at 19-14, where it remained for the rest of the session.

The third period started well for Ards as their forwards found good shape and aggression at the breakdown, providing quick ball for the backs to exploit. After probing well, the midfield then produced excellent execution to release Rory Christie on the wing against a well set defence, for a great try out wide. The tough conversion from his brother, Angus, was good and Ards now had clear water at 26-14. The battle ground in the middle of the pitch saw both teams again tussle for dominance. CI earned possession of their own and went to their slick line out for a driving maul and a try to reduce the gap to 26-19. With plenty of time to play, Ards continued to create quick ball through the forwards, releasing the backline to take advantage of the running conditions with a wide game. Taking the game into the visitors’ 22, quick passing brought the ball out wide for Ben Thompson. With plenty to do, the wing out stepped the final defenders for Ards’ fifth try and a lead of 31-19. With multiple changes, CI took possession for the closing minutes and took their fourth try in the last play to reduce the deficit to 31-24.

With both teams set for a high tempo closing period, Ards were on the charge in the visitors’ 22 when CI’s second row Paddy Aiken suffered a horrific lower leg injury, which brought the game to an early finish. Thankfully there were plenty of experienced professionals on hand to manage Paddy’s treatment until an ambulance arrived. It was an unfortunate end to a good day and we wish him a speedy and full recovery in the coming weeks and months.