Ards 1sts claimed a comprehensive win against promotion rivals Carrick RFC and moved into second place in the league. Following on from last week’s Junior Shield victory at the Affidea Stadium, Ards resumed their league programme in a much-anticipated match against promotion rivals Carrickfergus RFC. Going into the match, Ards lay in third place, knowing that a win would return them to second. The coaching team selected the same starting team, apart from Matthew Bell and Curtis Ewing, who replaced the injured Robbie Grant and Sam McClements. On the day, very inclement weather was forecast, but it ended up in near-perfect conditions, with a slight wind advantage to Ards as they received the kick-off, playing towards Strangford Lough.

Early exchanges saw a midfield break from Aaron May and a penalty earned in front of the posts from 20 metres, duly goaled by Joel De’Pledge to start the scoreboard for Ards, 3–0 Carrick.

A Carrick scrum just inside the Ards half saw a strong wheel just as the Carrick No. 8 picked up the ball, creating a gap that he exploited to take a fine unconverted try in the corner to take the lead, Ards 3–5 Carrick.

A period of kicking rugby ended with a Carrickfergus scrum in their half, and a line break from their centre saw him chip through close to the try line. Quick recycling saw a second try for the visitors under the posts, which this time was converted, making it Ards 3–12 Carrick.

Whilst playing with good tempo, Ards were struggling to connect their phases, but once they found a rhythm, they executed well. Forward Adam Finlay ran a great line to score under the posts, converted by De’Pledge, now Ards 10–12 Carrick.

With the second quarter underway, both sides showed better accuracy, although Ards’ dominance at the scrum was now clear. Carrick had an extended period of pressure close to the Ards line, but stout defending from the entire team held them at bay. Slowly working their way into dominant territory, Ards probed the Carrick defence continuously without dividend until Robbie Johnston spotted a gap and weaved through several defenders to take a try and regain the lead. The conversion was missed, Ards 15–12 Carrick.

As the half was closing, a clever chip from the Carrick fly-half bounced well for the chasing players and Carrick ran in for an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time, the score at the break now Ards 15–19 Carrick.

A frustrating half for Ards was well addressed at the break, and they resumed play in much sharper fashion. Dominating contact and the breakdown, they earned multiple penalties and hammered the Carrick line before spinning the ball wide to Rory Christie. Stepping through the midfield defence, the Ards full-back took a great try, regaining the lead, the extras added by De’Pledge to make it Ards 22–19 Carrick.

Carrick produced a period of pressure in the Ards 22, but again the home defence was equal to the task and worked back to a scrum on their 10-metre line. A set move released Christie on a run up the left wing, and quickly recycled ball was passed wide to De’Pledge to run in a great team try in the right corner and convert from the touchline. Daylight now becoming visible between the sides, the score Ards 29–19 Carrick.

With the final quarter well underway, Ards’ match fitness was keeping them in control as they advanced into the Carrick half. A series of penalties saw a kick pass from Johnston to Jack Smith on the wing. As the ball was recycled, a pass to Tom-Arthur Donnan saw him burst through the Carrick defence to score, with De’Pledge adding the conversion, Ards 36–19 Carrick.

Shortly after the restart, the referee blew their whistle for full time. This was another strong performance from the team, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half. The final score: Ards 36–19 Carrick.

This Saturday sees the visit of CIYMS RFC in the quarter-final of the McCrea Cup.