Ards 2nds travelled to a rain soaked Coleraine on Saturday, hoping to get their positive start to the season, back on track. A knock-on by Ards from the kick-off saw the hosts throw everything into attack from the resulting scrum.

They were eventually rewarded with a penalty, which was pushed just wide of the posts, after Ards were deemed to have strayed offside.

The game was played in pendulum mode for the most part, with both teams attacking and then countering as the day wore on. Ards scrumhalf Gavin Anderson, was giving excellent service to his back-line for out-half Gareth Wilson and centre Oren Kisby to make good ground; Ross Torney playing at number 8, was playing like a man on a mission, with powerful carries and shuddering tackles.

Torney scored two great tries close to the posts, the first converted by Trevor Devlin and the second from the boot of young Anderson, and only trailed by 1 point at the break.

Half-time: Coleraine 15 v 14 Ards

Ards lost the influential Torney to injury after only 5 minutes into the second half. Coleraine upped their game after the loss of the big 'Peninsula Man' and despite some heroic displays from the likes of Matthew Bell, Daniel McNally, Kisby, Wilson and a second half try and conversion from Anderson, it was not enough to hold off the challenge of Coleraine, who ran out eventual winners by 34 points to 21.

The whole team played some very good rugby and had an exemplary disciplinary record throughout the match, they should take good heart from this very tricky away fixture.

Thanks to all the players and management for making the trip on such a dismal day, weather wise. Our travelling support, the match official, our hosts and the excellent post match hospitality was very much appreciated.

Ards 2nds: A Paden, D Chivers (c), J Montgomery, E Dodge, J Miskimmon, M Bell, R Thompson, R Torney, G Anderson, G Wilson, D McNally, O Kisby, A Fullerton, T Devlin, M Taylor, A McKeag, R Kiernan.