Ards played host to Belfast Harlequins in a league encounter at Hamilton Park on Saturday.

The game kicked off with Ards going on the charge, but they soon realised that Quins were going to match them man for man at every turn.

After a few earlier penalty opportunities, Ards went for goal and landed one via the boot of Adam Carroll to take a slender 3 point lead.

Quins battled hard but Ards held firm before captain on the day Adam McKee, crossed the whitewash for Carroll to convert.

There were no further scores in the first half but one or two Ards players were beginning to put their hands up to make sure of an Ards victory with some excellent individual and unit play.

In the second half, Ards were in the ascendancy with the ball being moved wide down the left flank for Conor Uprichard to 'splash' over the try line with a great finish.

The conversation was missed, but Ards were now asserting their dominance and things were looking up for the hosts.

Quins hand other ideas though and soon ran in a converted try of their own to close the gap with 65 minutes on the clock.

Both teams threw everything and the kitchen sink in a ferocious final 15, though Ards did most of the defending from the visitors onslaught.

When the final whistle sounded a collective cheer went up from the resolute Ardsmen, as they felt they had been in a gigantic battle to run out 15 - 7 victors on the day.

Great game to watch and credit to both teams for playing some entertaining rugby.

Ben Thompson was as good at 9 as he was at 15. Aaron Faloon was his usual tenacious self and almost bagged a couple but for last gasp tackles. Stevie Cullen in the engine room with Adam McKee played his best game to date. Jimmy Gray, Robert Hull and Oren Kisby in the back row, were all over the opposition like a rash.

Everyone played their part in making this game a great team effort, well done to one and all.

The touchline jury collectively judged Phil Shields and Conor Uprichard as their men of the match for their enterprise in both attack and defence. Congratulations to both players.

Thanks are extended to Quins for an excellent game, the match day official, the always welcome vocal support and the ever present touchline jury.

Ards travel to Ballyclare in the cup next week, so please make yourselves available for this fixture.

Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday so once again please try and make the effort to attend at least one training session. Hope to see you there.