After finishing a close second in the league to a strong Limavady team, Ards had a play off match against CIYMS RFC. At the same time, they also needed favourites Enniskillen RFC to win the their own play off for promotion into the All Ireland League.

Injuries to Adam Finlay and Matthew Walker saw Blake Lilburn and Matthew Bell come into the pack, otherwise the squad was unchanged on the day. Playing at Sullivan Upper School grounds, due to the non-availability of CI's Belmont Park, the weather was not forecast to be the best, but started dry with a strong wind. Ards started with that wind advantage and were soon on the front foot.

A quick penalty led to a deep kick for an attacking line out. A few hard carries by the forwards saw the ball flashed to Matthew Bell on a great line to get within 10 metres. Quick carries by the forwards brought the ball back to Bell to take the opening try. Joel De'Pledge's conversion was good and the lead taken at 0-7.

CI's response was immediate from the restart. Winning a series of penalties, they patiently built field position and an equalising try was taken by their centre. The conversion was good and the scores were levelled at 7-7.

The kicking options from Ards were well taken and kept CI pinned in their half. Full back Jack Smith was leading the back three, running the ball back with guile and power. Dominant forward carries earned a penalty and scrum half Angus Christie took a quick tap to sprint away for a try. With only 12 minutes played, Ards were now leading 7-12 and in full flow.

The next 20 minutes was a period of ebb and flow, with tough defences dictating the run of play. For Ards, that was a 15 man effort, albeit the actions of Matthew Kane, Tom-Arthur Donnan and Curtis Ewing stood out. Enjoying territory for the first part, there was no return for Ards whilst CI came much closer to scoring when they advanced, only denied by a last gasp knock on.

Having cleared their lines and with less than 10 minutes to go in the half, the promised rain arrived, along with a series of dominant defensive hits with Matthew Hamilton, Danny McCullough and Luke Megarity also making their mark. This led to advantage at the gain line in possession and at first phase, where the physical battle was being won. A stolen line out saw the ball moved quickly to the right, before skipper Robbie Johnston saw a mis match and stepped through the line, drawing the full back before passing to the tracking Aaron May to score under the posts. With De'Pledge adding the extras, Ards now had clear water at 7-19.

CI tried to build in the remaining minutes of the half, but were second best in contact and turned over at the final whistle. Half time CIYMS 7 - 19 Ards.

The sun was out as the second half started with a kicking exchange. Running the ball back through Hamilton, a Ryan Upritchard chip was gathered by May to sprint away for his second try. De'Pledge took the conversion and the score was 7-26 with the second half only three minutes old.

Ards' fast start continued as a great hit from Hamilton dislodged the ball from the CI centre for May to gather and run in from 60 metres. However, he was adjudged to have knocked on in the act of scoring and the try disallowed. Ethan Bell was quick to bring play back and earn a penalty. Duly goaled by De'Pledge, the score was now 7-29.

With the conditions making Ards opt for their preferred running game, Smith made a scorching run from his 22 that saw Ards camped near the CI line, but denied by a good turnover. The opposition then enjoyed a long period of possession in and around the Ards 22, finally taking a converted try, again by their centre for 14-29.

With the final quarter underway, more dominant hits in the tackle area saw Ards win a turnover from 60 metres and Johnston run in under the posts. With Ethan Bell taking on kicking duties, the extras were added for a score of 14-36.

CI were on the attack again, but a turnover won by Trevor Devlin saw a tap by Angus Christie for a 20 metre gain. The ball was popped to Donnan for a storming 40 metre run, brushing off tacklers to pass to the tracking Angus Christie to take Ards' sixth try.

With the score at 14-41, Ards regained possession from the restart and kicked into touch for a famous victory. With news filtering through of Enniskillen's promotion win, celebrations started that lasted long into Sunday morning.

Our thanks to referee Morgan McCartney and his assistants and our commiserations to CIYMS, whose relegation belies the quality of their players and playing style and shows the standards expected of Ards in Championship League One next season.