Photo credit: Billy Swann

Saturday saw Ards 1st XV on the road again with a visit to Larne RFC for the next round of the Championship League. Like Ards, Larne were unbeaten so far this season, including taking the scalp of League 1 side CIYMS in the shield competition the week before. Promoted as unbeaten league winners last season, the Larne team that took to the pitch were unfamiliar, with only a small handful of players from when the sides last met 2 years ago. The home side won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind for the first half.

Ards won a scrum from the kick, which was followed by 15 minutes of continuous possession. Good phases were built through carries from Robbie Grant, Joel DePledge & Matthew Kane amongst others. This allowed a number of clear opportunities for the backs, but over complication and some committed and organised defence from Larne kept them out. As the first quarter was closing, Larne made 2 excellent backline breaks into the Ards 22, but each time, good defensive sets from the whole Ards team won turnovers.

With the second quarter underway, Larne used the wind advantage and a linebreak go deep into the Ards 22. Another mammoth defensive set of 15 phases pushed the Larne attack out gradually until Tom-Arthur Donnan made a breakdown steal for Ards to exit. However, Ards kicking options were limited by the conditions and they remained in their half until the home side forced a turnover with aggressive work at the breakdown, leading to a Larne lineout inside the Ards 22. A clever move off the line out saw the Larne captain run through and score, with Ards' defence, for once, lacking in cover. With the conversion, Larne took the lead at 7-0.

With the half hour mark passing, both teams struggled to retain possession, as Ards were uncharacteristically loose at the breakdown and unable to exit their half. However, the Ards scrum was in the ascendency and the lineout was functioning well via Luke Megarity & Adam Finlay. Eventually, a kickable penalty was conceded to Larne and goaled, for them to extend their lead to 10-0.

There were now five minutes remaining in the half and Ards’ attacking patterns finally started to click together. A series of carries led to a lineout deep in the Larne 22. Winning a penalty again from the lineout, Kane ran a tap move to crash over for a try to Ards. Angus Christie's conversion was good and Ards had reduced the score deficit to 10-7, where it would remain until half time.

Restarting with the wind advantage, Ards again held the ball for the opening 15 minutes, but were now able to make better ground and were parked in the Larne 22. A frankly superb defensive effort from the home side kept the Ardsmen out and won a turnover, only for the clearing kick from behind the tryline to be charged down by Grant and the try taken by Danny McCullough. The conversion was added by Christie and Ards finally took the lead at 10-14.

Following a short period of centralised play, Ards kicked well for position and then ran the ball back, with Ben Thompson just bundled into touch in the act of scoring. The battle for dominance in midfield remained fierce with the breakdown heavily contested by both sides as Ards' scrum allowed them to hold an edge. With the half hour mark in sight, Larne had a good set of attacking phase that Ards just contained and ended with a line out steal by Megarity. Larne returned on the attack and a break from their centre saw full back Jack Smith save matters with a great tackle. Ards then won the ball back and a long kick from skipper Robbie Johnston brought Ards back to the home 22. Camping in the opposition half and running the clock down, Ards lost a turnover and Larne shipped the ball to their speedy winger for a 50 metre gain. Ards forced a turnover of their own and a long run by Johnston saw them back deep in the Larne half.

The final few minutes were hard fought, as Ards just managed to close out the game and take the points. However, full credit must be given to a fine Larne team, who have kept their traditional grit, but added a quality to their play that will take them far this season. Special mention to school leaver Sam McClements who came on as a second half sub to follow in his dad Ryan’s footsteps in making his Ards 1st XV debut following stand out performances in recent weeks for the 2nd XV.

Ards 1st XV next match takes them to Letterkenny in Championship 2.