Saturday saw Ards 1sts take a short trip to Lisburn in the Championship 2 League. Ards were missing captain Robbie Johnston and Angus Christie from the backline, but Shay Duckett and Trevor Devlin returned to cover their absence.

Ards received the kick off and won a series of penalties to earn field position. Going on the attack, good carries from Matthew Kane and Matthew Hamilton saw Tom-Arthur Donnan crash over for the opening try after 5 minutes and a 0-5 lead.

Sharp work from the restart by Lisburn saw them earn two kickable penalties. Although the first was missed, the second was good and the score moved to 3-5 after 10 minutes.

Until the half hour mark, there was plenty of probing play from both sides, without any threat as each sides' defence and a slowing pitch nullified their efforts. A series of lineouts and carrying phases by the Ards pack then saw them into the Lisburn 22, as fly half Hamilton switched direction to release Ethan Bell down the wing for a second try in the corner and a lead of 3-10.

From the restart, Ards won a line out and cleared their 22. Confusion in the play return from Lisburn saw centre Aaron May snaffle a loose pass and run in from 60 metres. The conversion from Joel De'Pledge was good and the Ards lead was now 3-17.

Matters then deteriorated from the restart kick as the Ards catcher was taken out in the air resulting in a penalty. Ards then camped themselves in the Lisburn half as hard carrying from Matthew Bell, Ross Torney and Matthew Kane eventually wore down a dogged defence, with Matthew Bell taking a crash ball from 5 metres for Ards' bonus point try. With De'Pledge's conversion, Ards took a 3-24 lead into half time.

A restored and determined Lisburn emerged for the second half and were immediately on the attack. Held out for a period by strong defence, one penalty too many saw a yellow card for Ards and Lisburn made the numbers count with a try out wide, well converted for a score of 10-24.

As play resumed, Ards used their dominant scrum and close carries to consolidate in the Lisburn half. One penalty too many was kickable and duly goaled by De'Pledge to move the lead out to 10-27.

The rain contributed to 20 minutes of to and fro rugby in the middle third of the pitch, as handling errors forced turnovers, scrums and penalties. With 10 minutes remaining, it was Lisburn who claimed a deserved converted try followed by a late penalty for a bonus point of their own.

Ards now welcome the in form Larne RFC to Hamilton Park on Saturday as they seek to maintain their second place and a promotion play off spot.