Ards welcomed Rainey to Hamilton Park for the season’s opener hoping to continue on from last season’s good form, but it was Rainey who came out on top in a competitive match.

With no rugby in the past 3 months, the boys were understandably rusty; the team had to knock off the dust, facing a strong Rainey side that were extremely hungry to get a victory against the Ards men.

Rainey took an early lead when the Ards forwards failed to deal with the kick off resulting in a penalty to the visitors.
Ards responded showing good intent going forward, but lost a number of possessions because of poor handling.

Good ball carrying from Andrew Foster and Gareth McBurney led to a number of half breaks through the Rainey defence but the supporting players couldn't quite make the last pass stick.

Ards were unable to secure any worthwhile possession due to poor discipline and an inconsistent lineout.
Rainey build on the penalty count and kept play in the Ards half.

Good pressure and continuity allowed one of the Rainey front rows to step the Ards cover and put the ball on the line with an outstretched arm. The conversion was duly added by the out-half.

Almost immediately from the restart Ards began making their way up the pitch; centre Taylor Ferguson's agility and nimble footwork was causing all kind of problems.

From this promising position, Ards almost grabbed a try when the team went through the hands all the way right, but were held up just short, denying Foster who’s carrying ability was beginning to show.

Again the home team were penalised at the breakdown the constant penalties was contributing to disallowing both teams from working the any phases.

Rainey raised the intensity and had Ards under pressure in the 5metre line fullback Robinson was given a yellow card for not rolling away.

Rainey went for the push over try, but the Ards front row turned the scrum over and cleared the danger.

The first clean line out ball won off the top by McBurney was fed along the backline by scrum half Charlie Stewart to centre David Parkhill to run in under the posts, Ferguson added the conversion.

Half-time 7-10.

Poor decision making from Ards and clinical finishing enabled Rainey to score a try at the start of the second half.
The Ards scrum half was then yellow carded for offside and smart play by Rainey targeted the Ards full back who was struggling with a calf injury was rewarded with a third try.

Ards' Fijian openside Kiti was having a good debut for and showed the match fitness that some of the Ards players will need to reach at this level.

A determined run from Todd seemed to give Ards more confidence to play an expansive game.

Link up play between Parkhill and Ferguson sent last season’s top try scorer McKee away but the opportunity was not taken as Mckee was clearly struggling with a ankle injury. Rainey added a fourth try with the last play for a deserved win.

Ards 2nds:
Jonny Wylie, Conran Stewart, Andrew Foster, Gareth McBurney, Trevor Jordan,David Chivers, Kitione Domonikibau, Peter Croan, Charlie Stewart, Andy Todd, Stevie McKee, David Parkhill, Taylor Ferguson, Adam Coulter, Stephen Robinson