Ards 2nds 24 vs Larne 2nd 10

Ards 2nds welcomed Larne 2nds to Hamilton Park for the final league game of their season. The reverse fixture in October saw Ards triumph in a 13 try thriller at Larne 49-41, so Ards knew that Larne would be bringing a hugely competitive side. Conditions underfoot were very soft with pockets of puddles on the 2nd XV pitch and steady rain falling prior to kick off.

Coach Simon Hamilton, despite illness and late injury disruption managed to name a strong side. In the forwards, Bailey Young, Nathan Bell, Keir Edgar were chosen to start with Matthew McFarland starting at No8 this week. Half backs Ben Thompson & Ethan Barratt continued their partnership, with Oren Kisby & Aaron May forming a strong centre partnership in front of a pacy back three of Josh Baxter, Adam Barnes & Conor Upritchard. Late disruption saw Ryan Gawley named as the only impact player named from the original team named.

Ards played towards the Comber Rd in the first half and started well. The forwards got their hands on the ball early to set the tone, making dominant carries. Repeated Larne penalties saw Ards kick for touch and with Horner & McFarland flying high in the lineout, good ball was secured. From a lineout maul, Ards made good ground before falling just short. Then a series of pick & goes in the 5metre saw Ards go close to scoring with Patton, Edgar and Young providing the ballast in dominant carries. Eventually efficient clean out work from Ards saw Aaron Bittles pick and dive over for an unconverted score. Ards 2nds 5 v Civil Service 0.

From the kick off, a run from Ards 2nds captain Jimmy Gray brought Ards back into the Larne half, more carries from McFarland, Kisby & Horner led to another penalty to Ards. From the lineout, Ards were kept out by good Larne defence. Larne then began to use their heavy forwards to gain ground, which was well repelled by the Ards defence. The Larne backline began to get into the game, with good Ards defence forcing Larne to kick to the backfield which Adam Barnes & Josh Baxter ran back with vigour and determination. Ards made their way up field again, forcing Larne to concede a penalty. From quick forward phases, a backline move, initiated by fly half Barratt saw Barnes break the defensive line and score under the posts, this was converted by Young. Ards 2nds 12 v Larne 0.

From the restart, Larne began to play phases in the Ards half with their backs and forwards working well. A Larne knock on was gathered by Gray, who acted quickly and made a 40metre break, quick ball then led to centres May & Kisby stretching their legs. A weaving run from Upritchard then fed the forwards who went to work in the tight with only a held up ball in the in-goal stopping their tracks. A mistake from the restart gave Larne good field position who utilised their forwards well off a scrum leading to the Larne 13 scoring an unconverted try out wide with the last play of the half. Ards 2nds 12 v Larne 5.

Ards had showed some great determination and fight in defence and attack in truly horrible conditions for rugby. Halftime words from coach Hamilton insisted on continuing the direct nature of their play in attack and defence.

The introduction of Ryan Gawley off the bench reinforced the strong forward game Ards had been playing in the first half. The opening exchanges of the second half saw play focussed in the middle third of the pitch. Good defence from Ards reaped rewards, forcing Larne into kicking to the back three of Ards, who continued to run it back to Larne in the wider channels. The rugby ball found it's way to Nathan Bell who carried well beating numerous defenders to set Ards in the Larne 22. From a tap penalty, good carries from Edgar, Gawley & Patton alongside efficient clear out work saw quick hands from Barratt & May which fed winger Josh Baxter who scored from a tight angle in the corner, the conversion was . Ards 2nds 17 v Larne 5

With the motivation of a try bonus point in their sights. Ards went to work upfield with a strong carry from the restart by Horner. Quick phases saw Ards progress with only a knock on stopping Ards progressing further. Good defensive work from the Ards backline saw Larne resort to kicking back to the Ards backfield. A good kick from Conor Upritchard saw Ards narrowly miss out on a huge 50:22 from his own 22. Disruption at the Larne lineout saw Ards regain the ball. Strong carries from Young, Gray, Gawley & Kisby, plus good clean out work by McFarland & Patton saw th ball moved to Barratt & Upritchard then to Aaron May, who capped off a fine game on his return to the 2nd XV with a try, using his footwork to beat 2 defenders. Converted well by Young. Ards 2nds 24 v Larne 5.

Larne threatened in the last 10 mins with their backs putting some moves together. With only last ditch tackles from Conor Upritchard preventing more scores from Larne. With the captains agreeing to finish 10mins early due to worsening conditions, Larne finished the game with a unconverted try from a 5metre scrum. Full time - Ards 2nds 24 v Larne 10

Ards saved  one of their best performances to the last with this convincing win against a very strong Larne side from previous meetings. A full squad effort, in attack and defence saw the 2nd XV finish the Phase 2 of the season with 6 wins and only 2 losses in the league.

Alot of positives throughout the season have set the 2nd XV in good stead moving into next season