Last Saturday Ards 2nds welcomed Randalstown 3rds to a sunny Hamilton Park. Ards Captain Jimmy Gray completed the toss which saw Ards play into a stiff breeze and kicking off what was to be a hard fought, high scoring exchange.

The opening 20 minutes saw hard tackles, slick passes, offloads, knock-ons and fumbles while both teams jostled for an opportunity to strike first. The hard work and patience of the Ardsmen paid off with when hooker David Chivers started a rolling maul by throwing the ball into a lineout and then collecting his throw at the back of the ensuing maul to sail over the line, debutant outhalf Ethan Bell missed a difficult wind pressed attempt at the conversion. Ards 5 v Randalstown 0

Not long after receiving the re-start, Ards gave away a soft penalty not far right of the posts between the 10 and 22. Randalstown elected to kick for goal, which drifted wide of the uprights.

Ards went back up the pitch with a series of hard carries from Ross Torney, Matthew Patton and Gray and then moved the ball quickly wide ball only for a high tackle on the Ards winger to stop what would’ve surely been a run in for the supporting Matthew McFarland.

Ards battled on and before the stroke of half time, a well worked move saw full back Conor Upritchard break the line and dot down beneath the posts, Bell calmly slotted the conversion.

Half time: Ards 12 v Randalstown 0

The second half saw the Ardsmen come into a league of their own, the physicality of the pack increased, the backs found a new gear to run in and the passes flowed effortlessly between the players making it a spectacle to behold for all watching on from the decking.

A brilliant crossfield kick from Bell saw winger Abie Da Silva outpace his opposite number outside, collect the kick and go under the posts, Bell found his boot again for the conversion. Ards 19 v Randalstown 0

Bell came into his own with a superb solo effort wide which saw his slight of foot leave three Randalstown players wanting as he glided past them with ease for 5 points between the posts, also adding the conversion. Ards 26 v Randalstown 0

A superb bit of offload play saw substitutes Jonah Mitchell, Ryan Mills and Kristian Wallis-McKimm link up from the back of a lineout, Mitchell found himself the last to collect and cruised over the whitewash, Bell converted. Ards 33 v Randalstown 0

Not long after Conor Upritchard broke free from an attempted tackle and much to the bewilderment of everyone on and off the pitch, sprinted off to score this second try of the day, Bell converted. Ards 40 v Randalstown 0

A well placed box kick from scrum half Matthew Peak saw an well timed chase from McFarland who most thought had a legitimate claim for the ball. The ref thought otherwise, produced a yellow card and sent McFarland to the sidelines for 10 minutes to reflect on his timing.

That didn’t break the resolve of the Ardsmen who rallied the last of their efforts and fought hard against a Randalstown team who now had a chance to strike back. The black line held firm for 10 minutes against the ensuing onslaught of being a man down.

The final try of the day came from another great bit of interlinking backs play, this time seeing centre Oren Kisby cross the line and collecting his just desserts for another solid day at the office, Bell converted.

The game finished 47-0, Ards would like to thank Randalstown for a well fought contest, where not once did they give up fighting to put themselves back up the pitch, trying to gain a foothold in the match.

Now sitting top of their league, this week Ards 2nds travel to Shaws Bridge to face Instonians.