.png&bg=null&h=90&w=90&t=square&q=null)
BackSat 09 Feb 2013
ARDS 2nd XV.png&h=60&w=60)
2nd XV
10
14
Match report Sat 9th Feb - Ards 10 - Queens 14
STEPHEN NUTT12 Feb 2013 - 15:28
Ards 2nds lose out in keenly contested match.
Ards 2s 10-14 Queens 2s
Both teams played out a very entertaining game on a heavily water logged pitch with the result in doubt right to the final whistle. Referee Graham Gibson passed the pitch playable and controlled the game superbly in the conditions to add to the spirit of an evenly contested match. This was a league and conference double header and Ards knew a big effort was needed against a Queens’s side who had won convincly at Hamilton Park earlier in the season.
After a number of setbacks over the New Year the Ards line-up was close to their early season good form. The availably of players Andrew Hassard,Chris Dean,Oren Kisby,Adrain Dodds,Matt McHenry,and Gareth McBurney boosted the team. The first 10 minutes was all pressure from Ards but they were unable to breach the Queens defence despite dominating the set piece where Peter Croan was winning quality ball in the lineout and he along with Adam McKee and the front row of Richard Hamilton, Ashley Paden and Conran Stewart had the step on their opposition.
Ards took a deserve lead from a penalty by Nail Mulholland who had an ensured game on the wing on his start at this level. Queens in their first visit into the Ards 22 on 15 mintures were critical in attacking play and ex Ards mini rugby member Craig Devlin finished well for a converted try. The arrival of Andy Hassard who dashed straight from work bought Ards up to full strength and renew pressure on the Queens defence. Matt McHenry was delivery quick ball from the rucks for willing ball carriers in Croan and Stewart which caught Queens offside. The resulting penalty was missed and Queens ran the ball back making inroads into the Ards half. Queens began to get their fast running game going and stretched the home defence only good first up tackling from Kisby, Croan and Coulter held the Ards defence line. Working the ball thorough the backs Queens got their reward with a second converted try. Half-time 3-14
Ards began the second as they started the first working the phases off good ball from McHenry. Flankers Dean and the impressive Dodds linked well to off load to Garth McBurney who showed his strength and will power to touch down near the posts for a converted try. From the restart play became bogged down in the Ards half for long periods. Excellent defensive work well marshalled by fullback Hassard kept the home line intact. The hard working McHenry made a clean break in midfield but the off load to the supporting Dodds did not go to hand with the try line in reach. Queens finished the game cramped in the Ards 22 but a dogged defence ensured there were no further scores. It was a well earned shower for all 30 players at the final whistle. Ards will be hoping to build on this performance and with more commitment at training and availably can finish the season on a high.
TEAM PEDAN.STEWART,HAMILTON,CROAN,MCBURNEY,DEAN,DODDS,MCKEE (CAPT),MCHENRY,MULHOLLAND,KISBY,MCCLURE,COULTER.HASSARD.
Both teams played out a very entertaining game on a heavily water logged pitch with the result in doubt right to the final whistle. Referee Graham Gibson passed the pitch playable and controlled the game superbly in the conditions to add to the spirit of an evenly contested match. This was a league and conference double header and Ards knew a big effort was needed against a Queens’s side who had won convincly at Hamilton Park earlier in the season.
After a number of setbacks over the New Year the Ards line-up was close to their early season good form. The availably of players Andrew Hassard,Chris Dean,Oren Kisby,Adrain Dodds,Matt McHenry,and Gareth McBurney boosted the team. The first 10 minutes was all pressure from Ards but they were unable to breach the Queens defence despite dominating the set piece where Peter Croan was winning quality ball in the lineout and he along with Adam McKee and the front row of Richard Hamilton, Ashley Paden and Conran Stewart had the step on their opposition.
Ards took a deserve lead from a penalty by Nail Mulholland who had an ensured game on the wing on his start at this level. Queens in their first visit into the Ards 22 on 15 mintures were critical in attacking play and ex Ards mini rugby member Craig Devlin finished well for a converted try. The arrival of Andy Hassard who dashed straight from work bought Ards up to full strength and renew pressure on the Queens defence. Matt McHenry was delivery quick ball from the rucks for willing ball carriers in Croan and Stewart which caught Queens offside. The resulting penalty was missed and Queens ran the ball back making inroads into the Ards half. Queens began to get their fast running game going and stretched the home defence only good first up tackling from Kisby, Croan and Coulter held the Ards defence line. Working the ball thorough the backs Queens got their reward with a second converted try. Half-time 3-14
Ards began the second as they started the first working the phases off good ball from McHenry. Flankers Dean and the impressive Dodds linked well to off load to Garth McBurney who showed his strength and will power to touch down near the posts for a converted try. From the restart play became bogged down in the Ards half for long periods. Excellent defensive work well marshalled by fullback Hassard kept the home line intact. The hard working McHenry made a clean break in midfield but the off load to the supporting Dodds did not go to hand with the try line in reach. Queens finished the game cramped in the Ards 22 but a dogged defence ensured there were no further scores. It was a well earned shower for all 30 players at the final whistle. Ards will be hoping to build on this performance and with more commitment at training and availably can finish the season on a high.
TEAM PEDAN.STEWART,HAMILTON,CROAN,MCBURNEY,DEAN,DODDS,MCKEE (CAPT),MCHENRY,MULHOLLAND,KISBY,MCCLURE,COULTER.HASSARD.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
