Ards 2nds 45 v Instonians 3rds 7

Ards 2nds welcomed Instonians 3rds to Hamilton Park, looking to continue their recent good form. Ards were fully aware of what Instonians would bring after a defeat to Instonians earlier in the season. Coach Simon Hamilton was again able to pick a great blend of experience and youth in the matchday squad.

Ards kicked off and found some good field position. Good forward carries from Matthew Patton, Sam McVeigh and Matt Walker caused the Instonians defence trouble. After some steady forward play and with fly half Paul Cox controlling the traffic, quick hands in the backline saw winger Abie De Silva score on the wing. Converted by Cox 7-0.

From the restart, more dominant forward carries from Ards allowing the Ards centres to run clever running lines off fly half Cox. Multiple phases allowed full back Matt McFarland to score. Converted by Cox 14-0.

Ards became more dominant in defence after some Instonians phases and from turnover ball, some strong forward phases from Matt Patton, Neil Horner and the returning Andrew Foster saw Instonians concede a penalty from the breakdown, Cox reacted quickest and score under the posts after a tap and go. Converted 21-0.

From the restart, a 50 metre break from hooker Phil Shields set up good field position, further carries from skipper Jimmy Gray and Patton saw quick hands out to prop Stevie Cullen who saw himself in more space than he could handle and glided in for a try from the 22. Converted by Cox 28-7.

An offside penalty from the kick off against Ards saw Instonians get good field position and from the resulting lineout Instonians mauled well to cross for a converted try. 28-7 HT.

The second half started with Ards and Instonians both guilty of handling errors and loose play. Ards slowly got into their groove again with good forward phases and slick hands seeing winger Aaron Faloon beat multiple defenders out wide to score. Converted by Cox 35-7.

More unstructured play from both sides saw lots of errors. From a turnover, quick hands saw McFarland, Cullen and McVeigh make yards before the Ards backline exploited an overlap to score another try. Unconverted 40-7.

From the restart, good phases and effective clear outs from Ards at the ruck saw quick hands from Cox, Foster and sub Chris Webster release Adam Coulter who beat the full back and scored an unconverted try in the corner.

The referee blew up 10 mins early due to a injury to an Instonians player, best wishes and speedy recovery to the player.

Full time:  Ards 2nds 45 v Instonians 3rds 7