Ards 2nd XV kicked off their 2025-26 league campaign in style with a convincing bonus point victory at at home to Larne 2nd XV. Coach Simon Hamilton had an ideal mix of youth and experience with Andrew Foster captaining the side at loosehead, Matthew Johnston making a competitive debut in the second row and the returning Curtis Stewart starting at number 8. The backline saw Joel Clarke pulling the strings at 10, veteran Mark McLean in the centre and Sam McClements starting at fullback.

Ards started the game encouragingly, with dominant carries from Ross Torney and James Ward, however it was the visitors who took the lead after converting a penalty via the uprights to make it 0-3.

Curtis Stewart opened his account for the season with a well taken try, fighting off seemingly endless tackles. This was converted by debuting flanker Ollie McCormac taking the score to 7-3.

Stewart continued his impressive debut with several more explosive carries, before hard work at the breakdown from Colin McClure lead to a penalty 10m from the Larne Line. Stewart tapped quickly- proceeding to take 3 larne players over the line with him for his second of the day making the scoreline 12-3.

Sloppy play off the restart allowed for Larne to reclaim ball, which was duly punished with an impressive try following some quick feet by their outside centre allowed him to dot down for a converted try, closing the gap to 12-11.

The second half began with a tough defensive set for the men in black which held firm despite a monumental effort from the sizeable Larne pack. This was epitomised by two seismic tackles from Ben Cooke & Mason McFarland, who were defensively on point all game. This allowed for the momentum to swing in Ards favour and set the platform for Stewart to complete his hattrick shortly thereafter extending the Ards lead to 17-11.

From here the Ards men, despite some injuries, seized the momentum for the rest of the game, with further tries from Ben Cooke, Curtis Stewart, Ben Thompson and an outstanding solo effort from Joel Clarke rounding off a resounding win for the home team, with Larne folding ten minutes early having also been depleted by injury.

A special shout-out goes to fitness coach Adam Faloon who filled in on the bench after a last minute change just before kick off. Best wishes also to debutant Matthew Johnston who sustained a shoulder injury during the game, and hopefully a speedy recovery for the Regent House leaver. The score - Ards 2nd XV 43 - 11 Larne 2nd XV.