Ards 2nds welcomed Ballymena 3rds to Hamilton Park, looking to continue their good form from winning away at Donaghadee last weekend. Weather conditions were set fair and pitch conditions were going to compliment some running rugby.

Despite a few knocks within the senior squad, training numbers were still good in the lead up to the weekend fixtures with coach Simon Hamilton again choosing a strong team. In the forwards, captain Jimmy Gray moved from back row to hooker with starts for Matthew Patton, Ryan Copeland, Caleb Lowe & Gareth McBurney. The backline saw Ben Thompson return at scrum half, Ethan Barratt moving to 12 with a dangerous back three of Barnes, Baxter & Will Shankey deployed from the start. Reuben O’Rorke, Cian Fitzsimons and the returning Oren Kisby providing bench impact this week.

Ards started well, with early carries from Patton, McBurney & Bittles causing Ballymena to concede penalties, Ards outhalf Alex Gaw took the opportunity to convert one of these following a Ballymena offside. Ards 3 v Ballymena 0

Ballymena started to get the ball and build some phases through their forwards, but found no space in the Ards defence. A ruck penalty in midfield saw Ballymena kick a penalty. Ards 3 v Ballymena 3

From the kick off, Ballymena went to their quick offloading game. Initially a good defensive set from Ards saw Ballymena repelled,but a quick lineout from Ballymena saw Ards camped in their 22 and Ballymena burrowing over out wide for a converted try following quick ruck ball. Ards 3 v Ballymena 10

From the kick off, Ards began to put phases together, with Gaw pulling the string at outhalf. Dominant forward carries by Young, Lowe and Ross & Ryan Copeland set the platform to release the backline with Aaron May and Josh Baxter dangerous in the outside channels. A linebreak by captain Gray fed Ross Copeland, who kicked forward and Ballymena had to concede a goal line drop out. From the drop out, a good set play from Gaw gave Bailey Young a run into open pasture and he executed a 2v1 perfectly to feed Gareth McBurney to canter in under the posts, Gaw converted. Ards 10 v Ballymena 10

Ballymena pressure led to a score a converted try out wide. Ards 10 v Ballymena 17

The first half was littered with high tackle penalties, with the referee warning both captains, with the next high tackle would see yellow card being issued. The Ards lineout was working well disrupting the opposition on a few occasions. From one such disruptive lineout, carries in the midfield from Young, McBurney & Barratt saw the Ballymena scrum half sent to the bin for another high tackle penalty. Ards converted the penalty to close the scoreline.

Half time - Ards 13 v Ballymena 17

Coaches Hamilton & Thompson advised the team to step up aggression defensively and continue attacking threat to take the game to Ballymena in the second half. There was an immediate impact from Kisby off the bench, with Gray, McBurney, Bittles & May punching holes in the opposition defence which led to another penalty for Ards after another foray close to the Ballymena try line. Converted by outhalf Gaw. Ards 16 v Ballymena 17

The next 15 minutes saw Ballymena utilise the ball effectively, getting two converted scores utilising an overlap on each occasion. With the Ballymena outhalf kicking over a penalty from 50m, the game was beginning to get out of reach for Ards. Ards 16 v Ballymena 34

As with all games this year, Ards would not give up getting something out of the game. With Ards playing more of the ball, and finding space in wider channels a mix up in communication saw the ball reach the Ballymena fullback who ran in unopposed for a converted try. Ards 16 v Ballymena 41

Ards, however, would not give up and in the final quarter gave Ballymena lots of problems defensively. With Kisby, Fitzsimons & McBurney continuing to knock through the defensive line. With Ards being held up, they were determined not be repelled any longer. From a dominant lineout drive, the Ards forwards went to work with Patton & Bittles both going close, the next phase saw Kisby burrow over for an unconverted try. Ards 21 v Ballymena 41.

Momentum was now in Ards’ favour, Young, Bittles & Fitzsimons all causing chaos from pick & goes and getting good field position in the opposition 22. From a loose lineout and with Copeland, Patton running direct causing Ballymena to concede penalties to find another of their players taking a 10 minute breather. With Cian Fitzsimons being held up yet again, the following phases saw Fitzsimons go close yet again, the next phase saw McBurney take five Ballymena players over the line with him to score his second try which was converted by Gaw. Ards 28 v Ballymena 41

With time against Ards, Ards went direct from the kick off yet again and spread the ball wide through with Barratt, May & Shankey making yards. However, some resolute defence from Ballymena on their own 5m line saw the game out.

Full time - Ards 2nds 28 v Ballymena 3rds 41

Ards came up short today against an organised Ballymena side who took their chances, to which Ards did not this week. Ards’ willingness not to give up and throw the towel in, and with the attacking threat throughout the game shouldn’t go unnoticed and will only benefit them in the weeks to come.
Ards 2nds next game is this Saturday 20th, is a home fixture in the Forster Cup last 16 against Rainey 3rd XV. Kick off 2:30pm. All support welcome.