Having won their last two league matches, Ards welcomed Ballymoney RFC to Hamilton Park, seeking not just a hat trick of wins, but further progression in the league standings. Head Coach Palmer Eccles was able to summon a strong side for this tough encounter, including the return of Danny Patton at prop. Ards were under no illusions regarding this challenge, with the visitors having beaten the league leaders very recently.

Ards received the kick off and the opening minutes were dominated by a kicking contest. Soon though, Ards settled into playing with ball in hand and a penalty was kicked for a line out. A driving maul made ground before the ball was moved wide to the left for Jack Smith to take the opening try for 5-0.

Ballymoney responded from the kick off, earning a line out penalty themselves. An extended series of phases were repelled by the home defence until a wide pass was made to their fullback, who powered his way through several tackle attempts to take an equalising try for 5-5.

A further period of kick tennis settled down as Ards went wide and made good gain through a Ryan Upritchard run. Awarded a penalty, Angus Christie tried a tap and run move which broke down with a scrum to Ballymoney from 10 metres. The Ards pack drove well, earning a penalty, which was goaled by Joel De'Pledge for an 8-5 lead as the first quarter was ending.

From the restart, Ards doubled down with their quick handling and Robbie Johnston followed up with a 50-22 line out kick. Winning the contest in the air, Ards went hard through the middle. Camped in the Ballymoney 22, a combination of hard defence and their own impatience kept them out, despite penalties being won by their ascendent scrum. In the end a set move was run from a reset scrum that saw Aaron May power through the centre for Ards' second try. Joel De'Pledge added the extras and the lead moved to 15-5.

A period of centralised play was followed by Ards leaking technical penalties and the last of these was the final play of the half, as Ballymoney took the kick for goal and reduced their deficit to 15-8.

As Ards kicked off for the second half, it would seem incredulous that an action packed 40 minutes of play would produce only three points, but still be exciting and very watchable for the large crowd.

For 25 minutes, Ards held territory and possession advantage as their scrum and line out provided a strong foundation. Relentless carries and clean breakdowns from the forwards gave quick ball to the backline, with Matthew Kane, Matthew Bell and Patton featuring. The backline in turn created numerous half chances, with line breaks from Upritchard & Johnston the highlights. However, Ballymoney's defence was watertight and uncompromising in its aggression and Ards had to settle for a kickable penalty for all their efforts, as Joel De'Pledge goaled for an 18-8 lead.

Having played the attacker, Ards then spent the remainder of the final quarter as the defender, as the visitors edged the possession battle and fought for a score. A seemingly bottomless reserve of hustle, guile and dominant tackles from the Ardsmen kept the visitors at bay and they also ended their efforts with a kickable penalty, which was missed. The restart kick was the last play of the game as Ards took a well deserved victory.

This Saturday sees a visit to Cooke RFC as Ards seek to consolidate their position in the top half of the league table.

Image Credit: Ian Adamson