Ards 2nds travelled the very short distance to Donaldson Park, Donaghadee for a local derby against Donaghadee 2nds. There was added significance to this game for both teams, for Ards it was to get their season back on track after a tricky month of fixtures and postponements.

Coach Simon Hamilton had the luxury of selecting a young squad, with some experienced and consistent 2nd team players.

Senior club debuts were given to the Regent House contingent of Zach Campbell, Jude McKenna, Michael Lyttle, Ryan Copeland all starting with Caleb Lowe providing impact from the bench. Conor McCullough and Oren Kisby started in the forwards with Matthew Hamilton and Adam Faloon earning starts in the backline. Ross Copeland joined his father Graham Copeland and Caleb Lowe in providing impact from the bench.

Ards kicked off, the opening exchanges showed both teams trying to get a foothold in the game. Ards defensively keeping Donaghadee at bay and earning rewards from it taking play into the Dee half. Ards created some chances but the final execution let them down combined with Donaghadee defending well. Scrum half Matthew Peak kept the Donaghadee defence honest, alternating the plays with crisp passing and blindside darts.

A period of Donaghadee pressure saw Ards defend well with the backrow of captain Jimmy Gray, Lyttle & Kisby keeping themselves busy. Then from an Ards scrum deep in the Dee half, quick hands along the backline fed winger McKenna, whose pace created a 2v1 who then fed full back Campbell to stroll in for his & Ards first try. Converted by Campbell. 0-7.

From the restart, Ards played the ball through the hands but turned over the ball leading to Donaghadee creating some half chances.

From a lineout, a well run backline move from Donaghadee saw their No13 score an unconverted try. 5-7.

More pressure and clever play from Matthew Hamilton at fly half saw Donaghadee concede a 5metre scrum. From the ensuing scrum, a pick up from No8 Oren Kisby saw him shrug off multiple defenders to score next to the sticks. Converted by Campbell. 5-14.

Some Donaghadee pressure then saw a 5metre lineout maul, which was well dealt with by the Ards pack leading to an Ards penalty and Ards clearing their lines. The remainder of the half saw both teams battle it out in the middle third of the pitch, with the Ards forward pack leading the defensive charge, not taking a backward step.

HT 5-14

The beginning of the second half saw Ross and Graham Copeland enter the field from the bench, which saw Graham play a game with his two sons for the first time. Ards started the second half as they finished the first, playing positive rugby and defending well, with McCullough, Kisby, Ryan Copeland and Lewis English making life difficult for Donaghadee.

From a scrum, good work from English and Ryan Upritchard in midfield saw Zach Campbell score from his own grubber kick through the defensive line. Unconverted. 5-19

Donaghadee worked hard to get field position, following some indiscipline from Ards, Donaghadee scored from a quick tap penalty for 5metres. Converted. 12-19.

Some scrappy play saw a multitude of scrums, with Ards finally getting good field position, multiple phases through forwards Richard Hamilton, Jonah Mitchell combined with strong carries from Matthew Hamilton & Lewis English taking Ards into the Dee 22. Ards then patiently worked towards the Dee line before Ross Copeland reached out to score. Unconverted. 12-24.

Ards began to realise there were more opportunities out wide, good carries from Caleb Lowe, Kisby & Keir Edgar set up quick ruck ball. A set play orchestrated by fly half Hamilton and Kisby saw Zach Campbell score his third try of the afternoon. Converted by Campbell. 12-31.

Donaghadee, to their credit did not give up and when they had the ball in attack they tried to put something together, but the Ards defensive effort stopped Donaghadee in their tracks.

Good work from Adam Faloon, Hamilton and Upritchard fed Campbell in space who in turn fed Jude McKenna who ran in for a well deserved try. Unconverted. Full time12-36.

Ards put a full team performance from 1-18 to overcome a typically dogged Donaghadee side, who made it a very physical and competitive game. Many thanks for a great game, in front of a large crowd which had gathered.

It was great to see local talent from local schools, Regent House for Ards and Bangor Grammar for Donaghadee make the cut in senior rugby.

Next game for the 2nds is on Saturday 15th April, with a home game Vs Ophir.