Ards 2nds travelled to Gibson Park to face Grosvenor 2nds in the Provincial League East. The weather was chilly but dry. There were a few changes and returning faces from the Forster Cup victory 2 weeks ago. In the pack Jimmy Gray started at hooker, Captain Gareth McBurney moved into the second row, Ben Cooke to number 8. In the backs Matthew Peak made his first 2nds appearance of the season at scrum-half, new signing Joel De Pledge started at out-half and Kircubbin flyer Adam Rogan made his senior debut on the wing.

Grosvenor kicked off but the ball was allowed to bounce. Ards recovered the ball and Joel De Pledge found touch on halfway. Grosvenor won the line-out which was keenly contested and released their speedy winger, good defence saw him tackled into touch for an Ards 5m line-out. De Pledge cleared the ball which stayed infield around the halfway line, the initial Ards chase seemed good but failure to make tackles saw Grosvenor score a soft try which was converted by their scrum-half 7-0.

From the restart Grosvenor fancied their chances down the other wing a good recovery tackle from Adam Barnes saw the Ardsmen come away with the ball and proceed to make their way to the Grosvenor 22 with good carries from McBurney, Gray and Andrew Foster resulting in Foster going over for an unconverted try 7-5.

With Ards in possession well within their own half they conceded a penalty for not releasing the ball on the ground, which Grosvenor duly converted. 10-5 to Grosvenor

Missed tackles and miscommunication in defence by Ards saw Grosvenor score another unconverted try 15-5.

From the restart Grosvenor glided through the Ards defence and score a converted try 22-5.

Changes were made by Ards with the introduction of Luke Rogers, Carter Bell and Josh Browne. Just before the break Ards conceded a penalty for not rolling away which Grosvenor converted took to make it 25-5 at half time.

During half-time McBurney rallied his troops; emphasising their defensive standards and willingness to take the game to the opposition. It worked and McBurney would score a try after strong forward play. De Pledge added the extras 25-12.

The next 5 mins saw Ards pinned in their own half with Grosvenor in possession for most of it. Ards kept their composure and scrum half Peak regained the ball from the base of a ruck inside his own 10m, he a trademark “Peaky Pick and Go” and ran in to score, de Pledge added he extras. 25 -19 to Grosvenor

Grosvenor scored again to make it 30-19 with their conversion missed.

After the restart the Grosvenor out-half found himself in the sin-bin for a high tackle. Ards took advantage of this through speedy debutant Rogan who scored in the corner, de Pledge converted the difficult touch-line kick. Grosvenor 30-26 Ards.
With seconds left Ards broke down the wing but failed to capitalise, the final whistle blew with Grosvenor victors 30-26.

This Saturday Ards 2nds face Ballymena 4ths at Hamilton Park in the last game of this phase of fixtures in the Provincial East League.