Ards gave one of the best displays by a 2nd fifteen at the club for many a year and thoroughly merited a fantastic victory over their more illustrious opponents. Ards took the game to Ballymena from the outset and after sustained pressure won a lineout in their opponents 25. Ards caught the ball and mauled over the try line to score a well worked try by Coner Piper in the 7th minute, unfortunately the conversion was missed from out wide. 5-0. Ards continued to pressure during the remainder of the half but failed to capitalised on some good chances. When Ballymena did get into Ards half of the pitch they were meet with terrific defence from forwards and backs alike. This defence led to Ballymena having no option but to take a penalty kick at the posts as there was no way through, which was converted to leave the score at half time 5-3 to Ards.

The second half started in a torrential downpour which continued throughout much of the half. This however did not deter Ards who again took the game to Ballymena. Great forward play and good tactical kicking kept Ballymena pegged back deep in their own half. This tactic worked a treat because the Ards backline chased well and gave Ballymena no space to run, so only letting them kick the ball back to Ards again. Ards finally added to their score with a try by w mc allister in the 75th minute. Again the platform was set up by the forwards before going through the hands off the entire backline for Willy to score in the corner. Again the conversion was missed from way out wide.

The final whistle arrived shortly after with Ards players deservedly getting a win under their belts in the first league game of the season.

All the players acquitted themselves to the task in hand and did themselves no harm in pushing to get into the first team, as well as setting the seconds up for possibly a good season ahead.

TEAM

1. J MILLAR
2. C.PIPER
3. M.WEIR
4. G PRESHO
5. C BARNES
6. J STINSON
7. D CALVERT
8. A BLOXHAM
9. C ALLEN
10. A DERWIN
11. G WILSON
12. J MORGAN
13. A CRWFORD
14. W MCALLISTER
15. M TAYLOR

SCORERS

C PIPER TRY 71st MIN
W MCALLISTER 75th MIN