Ards 2nds welcomed Lisburn 2nds to Hamilton Park, with both sides looking to continue good recent form. With Lisburn sitting top of Provincial East 2, this would be a test for the ever improving 2nd XV.

The build up this week had been disruptive, with illness spreading through the senior squad, bringing alot of changes in the hours before kick off for both the 1sts and 2nds. Coach Simon Hamilton had a squad assembled seeing David Chivers, Adam McKee, Reuben O’Rorke & Ryan Copeland starting in the pack. The backs saw Alex Gaw return at outhalf, with Ethan Barrett doubling up from benching with the earlier 1st XV game alongside Matt McFarland. Gareth Wilson, Will Shankey & Josh Baxter looking to find the wider channels this week. With the pitch in a heavy condition after recent heavy rainfall, both teams would be tested underfoot.

Ards playing towards the Comber Road in the first half. With Lisburn immediately putting Ards defensive line under pressure and showing why they are top of the league. The Lisburn 13 jinked through the defensive line and kicked over the top where the bounce found the winger to stroll in. Converted by Gaw. Ards 2nds 0 v Lisburn 7.

From the kick off, some strong carries from Patton, McBurney & Bittles found Ards in the Lisburn 22. More forward drives from the Ards pack and some good footwork out wide saw Ards go close. Another good forward carry saw Patton go close and Lisburn conceding a penalty. A quick tap and go saw scrum half Thompson bury over. Converted by Gaw. Ards 2nds 7 v Lisburn 7.
Lisburn came back well, with quick ruck ball setting up the out half to put the ball into space through good backline moves and some kicks which had an element of luck in the bounce. In turn, this saw Lisburn score two converted tries in quick succession. Ards 2nds 7 v Lisburn 21

Ards were not out of the game just yet, with solid lineout ball through McKee and O’Rorke setting up mauls which made good ground. Good phase play from Ards running from depth saw Ards on the Lisburn try line. Forward phases from Gray, Gordon, McKee & McBurney kept the pressure on with only a good defensive read from Lisburn letting them off the hook. Good field position saw Ards in the Lisburn half, with Ben Thompson going over for his second try after good dominant forward carries from the Ards pack, unconverted. Ards 2nds 12 v Lisburn 21.

With Ards running well with ball in hand, they were trying their best to find gaps. Good Lisburn defence saw these Ards attacks repelled and Lisburn score an unconverted try quickly followed by a converted penalty which saw Lisburn go into half time 29-12 in front.

The second half saw Ards come out and continue their dominance up front, finding their way into the Lisburn 22, but uncharacteristic handling errors on multiple occasions saw opportunity pass. Defensively the Ards line wasn't being breached, with Chivers, McFarland & McBurney keeping the Lisburn forwards and centres quiet for most of the half. An unconverted score after a backline move out wide and a run in score from a couple of Ards errors made the scoreline more convincing in Lisburn’s favour than the game was with the final score 41-12 to Lisburn.

One bad result doesn't define the strides in improvement that the 2nd XV have been making this season. Last night saw a midweek fixture v Belfast Harlequins 3rds (a) followed by Malone 3rds coming to Hamilton Park on Saturday 2nd March for a 2:30pm kick off.