Ards 2nds played their opening league game of the season on Saturday, away to Limavady and suffered a 68 - 15 defeat in the process.

Ards had been forced to make a number of enforced changes to the team originally selected, and huge credit should be given to all those who made themselves available, to ensure the fixture was fulfilled.

Limavady, sporting a number of familiar faces from their game against Ards 1st XV the previous week, were held at bay by the gutsy Ardsmen for long periods in the opening exchanges, before getting their opening try.

The first half, didn't go all as planned for the home side and Ards were unlucky not to cross the whitewash themselves midway through, when veterans Davy Thompson and Gary Presho, combined but were denied, with a shrill blast of the whistle, after an apparent infringement on the ground.

In the second half, Ards had a wonderful purple patch where they outplayed their hosts and scored 3 excellent unconverted tries through Davy Thompson and a brace from captain Adam Faloon.

Some good individual performances, actually made for some heartening observations for the touchline jury, with Sam McVeigh probably the pick of the bunch. Some fine touchline kicking by Mark McLean, is also worthy of a mention.

A big thank you to everyone who made the journey to the North West, especially our President, Ashley Peden, who forwent his presidential duties at Ballymoney and donned the boots for the 2nds. Thanks also to Colin McLean for running the line, well walking the line might be more appropriate.