Ards 2nds 42 v Randalstown 2nds 15
Last Saturday Ards 2nds final away fixture took them to Neilsbrook to play Randalstown 2nd. In the opening game of the season, Ards edged Randalstown in a close game at Hamilton Park, so Ards knew what would be in store for them in Saturday afternoon.

Coach Simon Hamilton, amongst the unavailability and illness, still had a solid squad assembled. In the forwards, Ryan Gawley, Danny McCullough, Caleb Lowe and the mercurial Davy Thompson got starts. Meanwhile, a youthful backline saw starts for Carter Bell, Mason McFarland & Matthew McCune with Matt McBride switching to full back. Ben Thompson & Ethan Barratt continued at half back. Phill Shields, Stevie Cullen & Matt Peacock provided impact from the bench this week.

Ards kicked off and immediately went to work, strong defence saw a turnover with Ryan Gawley carrying well upfield with captain Gray supporting in the opposition 22. Only desperate Randalstown defence saving them on this occasion. Randalstown went to work using their seismic forward pack trying to dent the Ards defence, solid work kept Randalstown at bay, forcing them to use their pacy backline. Only last ditch defence from McBride & Shankey prevented Randalstown from scoring. The Ards outside backs of McFarland, McCune & McBride were beginning to stretch their legs causing Randalstown all sorts of problems out wide. From one such break, strong follow up carries from Bittles, Matt Patton & McCullough saw quick hands from Barratt & McBride to allow No8 Davy Thompson to stroll over next to the posts for a converted score. Randalstown 0 v Ards 2nds 7

From the kick off, strong running from second rows Matt Patton & Ryan Copeland were beginning to cause Randalstown issues in the tight, which allowed Gawley, Gray & Davy Thompson to support well in the tight. Quick hands saw McBride break a tackle and make a break upfield where he fed McFarland who beat three defenders for pace to score a fine converted try. Randalstown 0 v Ards 2nds 14

Randalstown began to put phases together to good effect causing Ards to concede penalties. Good defence alongside a penalty conceded for a dangerous carry saw Ards clear their lines. The Ards lineout was running well with Caleb Lowe & Jimmy Gray providing quick ball for the backs, from which McBride, McFarland & McCune caused real issues for the Randalstown defence. Following this, multiple dominant forwards phases in the opposition 22 saw Danny McCullough score a well worked team try, which included a dummy play from No8 Thompson which sent half of the Randalstowns defence into chaos. Converted. Randalstown 0 v Ards 2nds 21

From the kick off, Ards were guilty of losing concentration, allowing Randalstown to put some phases together, a good defensive set by the Ards forwards initially kept Randalstown at bay, but quick ball out wide saw Randalstown score an unconverted try before half time. Halftime - Randalstown 7 v Ards 2nds 21

Ards were in control, but knew they needed to continue with the right attitude and tighten up defensively. From the restart, a loose carry from Ards saw Randalstown position themselves in the Ards 22. Good defensive saw Randalstown repelled, but the pressure told and their No8 scored an unconverted try out wide. Randalstown 10 v Ards 2nds 21

Dominant carries from Patton, Gawley, Cullen & Thompson drew a number of penalties which saw Ards kick for territory and have a lineout on the Randalstown 22. A resulting lineout maul made good metres and the Ards forwards were knocking on the door of the Randalstown try line. Patient play saw prop forward Aaron Bittles drive over from 5mtrs out for a converted try. Randalstown 10 v Ards 2nds 28

Ards were now dominant, cutting through the defensive line with only desperate defence stopping Ards in their tracks. With half backs Ben Thompson & Ethan Barrett directing the team, good support play from Gawley, Gray & Thompson saw penalty conceded by Randalstown. Opting for a scrum, a set play saw McCullough go just short, from the resulting play, a quick maul was set up which went saw Phill Shields score under alot of bodies on his return to rugby after a long hiatus, this was converted. Randalstown 10 v Ards 2nds 35

From the kick off, Randalstown showed they were in no mood to back down. Randalstown got an unconverted score utilising a overlap out wide following multiple phases of play. Randalstown 15 v Ards 2nds 35

Randalstown were in now search of another try, with only try saving tackles from McFarland and then McCune keeping the score as it was.

Ards got back on the front foot folding good phase play again, orchestrated by Barrett. Strong carries from Patton & McCullough set up Bittles to run hard and beat several defenders off loading tot he supporting Gray & Cullen taking play into the Randalstown 22. Quick hands from Barratt & McBride then a kick ahead into saw Matthew McCune pick up a deserved try on his 2nds debut which was converted.

Full time - Randalstown 2nds 15 v Ards 2nds 42

A full team effort, with never say die attitude won the game for Ards against a tough Randalstown side. It was very pleasing to see lots of youth, especially in the backline showing alot of promise and bravery at times. Carter Bell, Mason McFarland & Matt McBride showing play & attitude beyond their years, as well as Ryan Gawley in the forwards.

The final league game for the 2nds is at home this Saturday 16th at Hamilton Park against Larne 2s with a 2:30pm kick off.