Orangefield Park in East Belfast was the setting for this Provincial 3 league game last Saturday and with Ards yet to get into their stride and record their first victory of the new season, this was another big test.

In dull greasy conditions, the game got underway.  Ards playing up the slight hill into a gusty breeze couldn’t get their hands on the ball in the opening exchanges as a rampant Malone made all the early running.

After what seemed an age, Ards finally got hold of the ball and rumbled their way deep into the Malone 22.  With players and pods primed and ready to roll as they headed for the whitewash, a series of unforced errors took control of the Ards momentum as the ball was spilled repeatedly, letting the hosts off the hook time and time again.

Despite the frustration, Ards kept their heads and were eventually rewarded with a Paul Cox try on 24 minutes, the conversion was missed. Malone 0 v Ards 2nds 5

The buzz was back in Ards' play as they got set for some more robust action from their physically aggressive hosts. Conor Uprichard  was putting in some awe inspiring tackles at fullback, and Matty Kane, Danny Patton and Davy Chivers were carrying hard and driving up the pitch.

As the half progressed, Ards were pinged for more infringements allowing a vocal Malone to get within striking distance where on 37 and 40 + 2 minutes they scored 2 unconverted tries to go in at the break 10 – 5 to the good.

It was very scrappy first half from an Ards perspective with players putting their hands up to apologise for some of the mishaps and determined to make amends in the second half.
Playing down the slope and with weather conditions deteriorating, Ards were quickest out the blocks at the restart when after a slick move and fast hands from Mark McLean to Aaron Faloon on the right wing, who outpaced the defence to score an excellent try on 41 minutes, converted by Cox. Malone 10 v Ards 12

Malone were next to register on the scroreboard with a penalty on 45 before Mark McLean took advantage of a solid Ards scrum and dummy fed out to the right sending his counterpart in the wrong direction and then scampered through the gap to dot down under the sticks for Cox to add the extras. Malone 13 v Ards 19

That was 50 minutes on the clock, but nowhere near feeling like being in control. Ards' set piece was functioning well with Ross Copeland and Danny Patton taking good Davy Chivers lineout ball.

Like the wind, the game was swirling around all over the place which seemed to help Malone capitalise on it more when they managed to touch down to score a third but unconverted try on 74 minutes.

With the scores evenly poised at 18 – 19 to the visitors, this was turning out to be a score the winner type scenario.

As the clocked ticked down it was Ards who piled on the pressure, twice being denied by the shrill blast of the whistle as they went in search of their final score.

Now playing in the red zone and 80 + 6 on the clock, Ards gave it one last throw of the dice and were duly rewarded when forward power set up a great platform for McLean to feed Cox who completed his brace of tries and also land the conversion to seal a fine 18 – 26 points victory in very trying conditions.

This was a very physical game with a couple of players on both teams picking up a few knocks. Ards' two man of the match awards went to Conor Uprichard and Matty Kane, who both put in a fantastic shift. That said there were a lot of good contenders with the touchline jury deliberating longer than normal such was the competition.

Our thanks are extended to Malone for hosting us, the match day official, the very sizeable and very pleasing Ards support, not forgetting the ever present touchline jury.

Ards go into a run of 5 league and cup games now before they can catch their breath, so please make yourselves available for selection and try and make at least one training session per week if not two… see you there.