Ards 2nds 43 v Grosvenor 26
Ards 2nds' Captain, Davy Chivers' men continue to impress albeit with their 'cavalier' style of rugby when they outscored Grosvenor 2s by 43 points to 26 on Saturday.
From the start, Ards almost scored through Stevie McKee after some controlled forward play released the backs to be held up just short of the opposition try line.
Minutes later it was another McKee who did cross the line in the shape of Adam, to get the scoreboard ticking over. Grosvenor responded as expected and ran in a converted try to go 5 - 7 up after 16 minutes.
Ards then turned the screw and tries from Stevie McKee, Taylor Nutt and 'Kaz' Kasarate, including 2 conversions from Nutt and Adam McKee eased the tension on the sidelines and saw Ards go into the break with a lead of 24 points to 7.
Scrums were solid, but the line-out was a bit of a lottery at times.
Not a bad first half performance from an Ards perspective, but things were to change before the final whistle.
It was a lot more even in the second half but also very scrappy as Ards adopted the old 'go-it-alone' approach to scoring. With great support left and right, Stevie McKee tried to beat one man too many and ended up being carried from the pitch with a suspected broken ankle. Taylor Nutt too had great support but decided not to pass. On both occasions, neither player scored and allowed Grosvenor back into the game.
Some soft, first up tackles and individualism meant that Ards were on the back foot for long periods of the second half and thank goodness for the cushion from the first half which undoubtedly helped Ards over the line come the close of play.
Both teams ran in 3 tries apiece with Ards scores coming from Cameron McKee, 'Kitti' Dominkabau and a second for young Nutt. Kaz landed 2 conversions and there was still 20 minutes on the clock.
The scrums went to uncontested due to an injury to the Grosvenor hooker, but it was the visitors who had the final say when they rounded off their game with a converted try to leave the final score sitting at 43 - 26 to the hosts.
Another good win as far as the scoreline goes, but the team needs to play more as a team and for longer periods in both halves, if this rich vein of form is to continue.
It was good to see Ross Torney back in the black, who impressed with his carries as did Daniel McNally who had a solid game on the wing. Gareth Wilson played well at 10 and Adam McKee was a workaholic in the second row.
Best wishes and speedy recovery Stevie McKee with what appears to be ankle ligament damage.
Thanks are extended to Grosvenor for making the short trip to Hamilton Park, the match official and to the touchline faithful.
Ards 2nds: A Peden, D Chivers, J Montgomery, E Dodge, A McKee, M Bell, Q Tuweni, K Dominkabau, E Kasarate, G Wilson, C McKee, T Nutt, A Fullerton, R Thompson, S McKee Replacements: D McNally, R Torney, M McCullough.