Ards 1st XV met Academy RFC on Saturday for the second week in a row, this time in the League. Following a wholesale rotation for last Saturday, a number of players returned to the starting line up, although a large number remain on the injured list.

On a fine but windy day, Ards kicked off against the conditions and set to work early. Dominant forward work was rewarded with a try for Joel DePledge after 5 minutes. Converting his own try from wide, Ards took a 0-7 lead.

With the wind advantage, Academy used their strong kicking game well and kept Ards pinned back, but as the final quarter was closing, a great backs move to the left saw Robbie Johnston slice through the last of the cover for a try. DePledge's conversion was good and the lead was now 0-14.

Opportunities were even for a period, with both defences forcing errors, although the Ards scrum was in the ascendency and winning turnovers. An exchange of kicks saw Academy run from deep and a tackle on their full back at the half hour mark was adjudged late and a yellow card awarded. Spurred on by this, Academy were at the fore for the rest of the first half and levelled the scores with a try on the stroke of half time.

Ards came out firing for the second half and each side had opportunities in the third quarter. Winning a scrum turnover on their 22, Ards ran a set move that released Ethan Bell on a long run and kick through that ended with a ruck on the Academy try line. Quick ball to Ryan Upritchard saw him take a try and with DePledge's conversion, the lead was restored at 14-21.

Ards retained a marginal advantage in play and a number of try scoring opportunities went begging with handling errors and being held up over the line. Another attack to the left saw a pass forced and an intercept by the Academy winger, who ran through for a converted try to level the scores again at 21-21. With the final quarter well underway, Ards regained a slight advantage, but again spurned chances on a day where their composure escaped them. A penalty earned saw the kick taken, which DePledge goaled to take the lead at 21-24.

A period of pressure from Academy was repelled and the ball moved into their 22 via a backs move almost converted into a try. At the resulting scrum, the referee declared 1 minute of play was remaining. Academy ran the ball back, earning a series of penalties over 70 metres and 12 minutes, with the referee awarding a try from a pick up move and the win going to Academy with a score of 28-24. A very frustrating end for Ards in a hard fought match, but they will dust themselves off and prepare for the visit of Limavady RFC to Hamilton Park this Saturday.