Ards 1st XV welcomed Larne RFC to Hamilton Park on Saturday for a quarter final fixture in the Junior Shield. Ards saw a number of changes due to injury and resting that saw season starts for Sam McClements and Matthew Hamilton along with the return of Matthew Walker. It was only a few weeks since the team's league visit to Larne, where only four points separated the sides in a close fought encounter.

Receiving the kick off and playing towards Scrabo in perfect conditions, Ards enjoyed some early pressure before Larne cleared their lines and play became centralised for a period. The Ards scrum had early dominance and turnovers were feeding them good possession including a break on the right by wing Hamilton as the entire backline were hungry for work. This led to a period of attack deep in the Larne 22 with Ards held up over the line. Continuing pressure as the first quarter was closing handed Ards a penalty on the 22 metre line, duly goaled by Joel DePledge and Ards took the lead at 3-0.

Larne had more possession following the restart, but Ards' defensive aggression was stronger, with Tom-Arthur Donnan, Matthew Kane and Curtis Ewing featuring and keeping Larne at the halfway line. Winning back possession and working back into the Larne half via work from McClements and captain Robbie Johnston, Ards ran a set move from a line out. This released centre Aaron May on a mazy 40 metre run that only the last man could finally stop. Quick phases led by McClements, Donnan and Kane saw Matthew Bell crash over for a try on the half hour mark. DePledge added the conversion and Ards were now 10-0 to the good.

Receiving the restart, Ards were immediately on the attack, releasing second row Adam Finlay on a good line to feed the backs on the left. Rory Christie and Ethan Bell exchanged passes crisply before handing over to Ryan Upritchard to take a fantastic 80 metre score. DePledge's conversion was again good and Ards were taking control at 17-0.

Larne enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half and at times were creating some pressure close in. However, Ards' defensive energy and execution was more than their equal this time as they eventually regained control and closed the half out.

The second half started with possession for Larne and Ards happy to trust their defence and absorb the pressure for several minutes. Eventually, a scrum turnover allowed them to set the backline to work, with Ethan Bell leading a 70 metre move and a line out in the Larne 22. Ball off the top from Finlay fed Matthew Bell and Walker before a swift pass to Donnan saw him rumble over for a try. Ethan Bell took the conversion and the scoreline was now 24-0.

This only spurred Larne to find their attacking shape from the restart. A superb break on the left from deep by their winger brought them to within 5 metres and they pounded the Ards defence for 12 phases before being held up over the line. A quick tap from a penalty advantage saw them move the ball wide to the opposite wing for a deserved converted try and a score of 24-7.

Ards emerged with determination and won a line out on the Larne 10 metre line. Deep runs from Kane and Devlin saw Matthew Bell take a great line on the 22 and crash through the cover defence before releasing Walker to score under the posts. The conversion from Ethan Bell was taken and the lead was now 31-7.

With the final quarter underway, Larne saw some possession and produced good shape and territorial gain. However, the Ards defence held and turnover ball saw them on the Larne 22. A pick and go from Devlin split the visitors' defence and brought him close to the line, before the ball was flashed wide to Finlay to take the score and a lead of 36-7.

The rest of the game saw play centralised, where each team's attacking shape and defence was the equal of the other. Ards await the semi final draw this week as their cup journey continues. Next Saturday sees league duties resume with the visit of Lisburn RFC and Ards seeking to retain their position at the top of the table.