Ards 1sts travelled to Carrickfergus on Saturday in the Championship League. Whilst there remained a number on the injury list, the team welcomed the return of Luke Megarity and Adam Finlay to the pack, Ross Torney to the bench and Ben Thompson to the backline.

Starting into a strong wind, Ards led the opening exchanges and worked well into the Carrick 22, until a handling error allowed the home side an opportunity to kick deep and establish their own possession in the Ards 22. Multiple phases were repelled by a strong defence until a clever chip through allowed the opening try for the Carrick wing and a 5-0 lead.

Ards won the restart and remained in the Carrick half until a penalty was earned on the 22. The kick option was taken, but was wide. Staying in the opposition half as the 2nd quarter was underway and in the face of a robust defence, Ards' phase building was excellent and earned another kickable penalty. Opting for the kick to touch, the line out was taken by Robbie Grant and a driving maul brought a try for Tom Arthur Donnan. Another tough kick was wide, but the scores were levelled at 5-5.

Carrick started to use the wind and their kicking game kept the match in neutral territory until the half hour mark. Running a set move off a scrum, Carrick found a gap in the Ards midfield and their centre ran through for a fine score. The conversion was good and the score moved to 12-5.

Despite the setback, Ards forced their way back into the Carrick half, but lacked a clinical edge and the half closed.

A dominant scrum and the ability to kick for territory kept Ards in touch, but Carrick were keen for work and after a prolonged period of possession in the Ards 22, the defence eventually yielded and Carrick took a further try close in to move their lead to 17-5.
With 25 minutes remaining, Ards were still well in the game and then as the final quarter was underway, gaps started to appear for the backline to work. However, a handling error allowed Carrick to kick through and earn a kickable penalty, which was goaled to extend their lead further to 20-5.

It was then Carrick's turn to threaten through their backline and some last ditch defence saw Ards clear their lines and camp in the Carrick half. A number of phase sets had no return, until a break in open play by Grant saw him feed Aaron May to take a second try. The score was now 20-10, but the effect was nugatory as the final whistle was blown straight after. Ards now have a rest weekend before facing Malone in the semi final of the Junior Shield on 29th November.