On a cold and showery Saturday Ards 2nds took on their counterparts from CIYMS at Hamilton Park.

From the kick off, CIYMS pressed hard and some good linespeed and resolute defence by the Ards forwards and backs kept them at bay, however after 10mins Ards were reduced to 14 men when winger Trevor Devlin was sin binned for a deliberate knock on whilst trying to intercept what would have been a try scoring pass by CIYMS.

It took until the 18th minute for CIYMS to take advantage of their extra man when a break in midfield and quick hands saw the CIYMS winger breach the Ards defence for an unconverted score in the corner. Ards 0 v CIYMS 5

Ards' full quota of players was soon re-established and Ards responded well. The Ards pack pushed forward with more than a little confidence in the scrum giving hope that things might turn their way, but disaster struck when an Ards missed kick to touch allowed CIYMS to counter attack, gaining momentum and after several well controlled phases the CIYMS centre burst through to score under the posts which was converted. Ards 0 v CIYMS 12

The Ards management team made a tactical change seeing Jonny Harris and Conran Stewart come of the bench returning from injury. Their impact was clear for all to see and Ards took the game to CIYMS with strong carries from Harris, Stewart and centre Oren Kisby. This Ards pressure saw CIYMS concede a penalty which centre Taylor Nutt converted. Ards 3 v CIYMS 12

Ards continued to press and on the stroke of half time were awarded another penalty with CIYMS succumbing to the Ards pressure, bizarrely the ball was kicked to touch and the half time whistle was blown.

Half-time: Ards 3 v CIYMS 12

The second half started with a bang with Ards taking the initiative turning over the CIYMS ball which saw a great break by Ards centre Kisby who released his by now centre partner Devlin who evaded five flailing CI defenders to score close to the CIYMS posts, Nutt now playing at outhalf converted. Ards 10 - CIYMS 12.

Ten minutes later and after great work by the Ards pack Devlin scored his second try in the corner, Nutt's conversion from out wide drifted wide. Ards 15 v CIYMS 12

The restart saw Ards knock on, from the resulting scrum CIYMS were able to take the game forward and again pressing on the Ards 22, a ruck formed but a lack of concentration by Ards at the breakdown allowed a quick thinking CIYMS backrow to burst through and pop the ball to the CIYMS centre who duly scored at the posts, easily converted this time, Ards 15 - CIYMS 19.

In the closing minutes Ards tried their best but could not breach the CIYMS defence, the inevitable happened when CIYMS soaked up the pressure then broke forward to be awarded a penalty infront of the Ards posts, which was duly converted on the final whistle.
Full time: Ards 15 v 22 CIYMS

Ards 2nds - A Peden, D Chivers (c), J Montgomery, E Dodge, J Miskimmin, M Harrison, M Bell, R Sinnamon, G Anderson, G Wilson, R Thompson, O Kisby, T Nutt, M McLean, T Devlin, C Stewart, J Harris