Ards 2nds were on the road last Saturday making the trip to “The Cloughan”, Ballyclare to face their 3rd XV in the Provincial East League. After a disappointing defeat last weekend. The Ardsmen made wholesale changes throughout the squad that would face highly skilled, experienced opposition.

Ards received the kick off and made good progress into the Ballyclare half. A penalty was awarded for the Ballyclare 9 being offside at a scrum inside his own 22. Joe Fullwood converted a shot at goal to make it 0-3 to Ards.

Failure to make touch from penalties would be a theme of the day. This would result in additional unwanted pressure and lack of field position for Ards. However, the Ards defence did brilliantly to absorb this extra pressure. At line-out time Matthew McFarland made it very difficult for the opposition hooker and won the ball. The box kick was put infield and not to touch, possession was lost again after it had been won. A penalty conceded by Ards for entering the ruck at the side saw Ballyclare enter the Ards 22. Ballyclare caught and drove making it to the Ards 5m line. Ards held firm and were awarded a scrum from a knock-on. A great kick by Joe Fullwood relieved the pressure and kept the home-side from scoring but Ards couldn’t contain the opposition forever. A high tackle in a central position in the Ards half resulted in the score being levelled at 3-3.

With their tails up Ballyclare made their way towards the Ards try line. A penalty conceded at the Ards 22 was then marched a further 10mtrs after some Ards indiscipline. Ballyclare failed to take advantage and eventually lost possession for not releasing the ball in a ruck. After another few phases Ards conceded another penalty and Ballyclare put themselves ahead 6-3.

There was then a stoppage in play to allow Ben Cooke to be bandaged up after a fantastic defensive effort. Good, solid carries from Neil Horner & Colin McClure allowed Fullwood to make an excellent nudge from the Ballyclare 10m crossfield bouncing the ball into touch halfway inside the opposition 22. From the line-out Ballyclare secured the ball and took play back towards halfway then conceded another penalty. The next 5 minutes saw the Ardsmen camped inside the opposition 22 but poor decision making, a lack of patience and not earning the right to spread the ball saw them come away without any points. Missed tackles and good line breaks saw Ballyclare go from 22 to 22. A penalty shot at goal took the score to 9-3 at halftime to Ballyclare.

The second half began with what appeared a more focussed Ballyclare team. They had good depth while in possession and showed promise. Ards had some good spells too. Ballyclare worked the ball well going on to score a try in the corner from a free-flowing backs move. The conversion missed Ballyclare 14-3 Ards.

Most of the second half was played in the Ards half. Missed tackles and lack of defensive aggression allowed Ballyclare to score a converted try to make the score 21-3.

From the restart a good line break released the Ballyclare 6 into space, he kicked ahead & the ball stopped over the Ards tryline it was a footrace which saw Ards on the losing end. The try converted again 28-3.

This time Ards would respond positively from the restart forcing a Ballyclare knock-on. A blindside pick & go saw David Thompson pass to Shay Duckett who drew his man and deftly released the ball to Matthew McFarland who took the ball into the 22. Good forward driving carry from skipper Gareth McBurney & the returning Phil Shields allowed Duckett to find Fullwood who played a brilliant miss pass to Ben Thompson to score Ards first and only try of the game, the conversion was missed. Ballyclare 3rds 28 v Ards 2nds 8

Ards knocked on inside their own 22 from the restart putting themselves under pressure a few phases later a blindside move saw Ballyclare over for an unconverted try. Final score - Ballyclare 3rds 33 v Ards 2nds 8

Ballyclare played a very good game and took their points when available. Ards 2nds must now dust themselves off and go again in 2 weeks time against Ballymoney 3’s in the Forster Cup at Hamilton Park