Ards named a squad of 26 players led by stand-in captain Trevor Devlin. Ballyclare kicked off towards Scrabo Tower and the early exchanges were played between each others 22 with a few penalties at the breakdown for both both teams. Ballyclare had the better field position but were unable to make it count due to handling errors. Ards finally got a decent amount of field position and the penalty count mounted against Ballyclare. Good forward play saw Ards set up centrally, scrum half Joel Clarke got the ball away to fullback Jack Smith who played a long pass to winger Ben Thompson to finish well in the corner. The try was converted by debutant out half Josh Colville to make the score Ards 7 - 0 Ballyclare.

The Ards forwards worked well in line-out defence and made it very difficult for Ballyclare to get any ball. Ards got a line-break through Nathan Bell, however the ball found it’s way into touch as Thompson tried to evade the defence down the touchline. Ards were unable to disrupt the resulting lineout and the ref brought the first period to end.

In order to give the full squad ample game time Coach Simon Hamilton made changes for the second period. Adam Barnes really came to life at inside-centre with some good carries and was rewarded with try after being put through by Smith; Colville converted. Ards 14 - Ballyclare 0.

The Ards pack was working well with notable performances from debutant Ollie McCormac, Colin McClure & James Ward. Ballyclare then found themselves with possession in the Ards 22 through nice back play down the wing, however Ards managed to turn the ball over and Colville put in a nice up & under which Ballyclare gathered and moved wide, with Ballyclare looking dangerous Ards gave away a penalty at a ruck which Ballyclare opted to tap & go and subsequently score an unconverted try. Ards 14 - 5 Ballyclare.

From the restart Ards found themselves in the Ballyclare 22, patient forward play was rewarded with a score from Adam Finlay who was driven over, Colville converted. Ards 21 - 5 Ballyclare.

The third period started with the Ards players being told to “empty the tank”, they didn’t disappoint and some good passing led to space being found by Adam Coulter who scored the fourth Ards try of the match which was again well converted by Colville to make the score Ards 28 - 5 Ballyclare.

Ballyclare got a try back from an unexpected line break which was converted to make it Ards 28 - 12 Ballyclare.

The final try of the game came from a quick tap & go by scrum half Clarke and forward Jimmy Gray which was finished well by a rampaging Matthew Bell, converted by the returning Joe Fullwood bringing the score to Ards 35 - 12 Ballyclare.

Ballyclare made some good progress after the restart but the Ards defence was robust and held out for the final whistle.

Thanks goes to Ballyclare, we wish them the best in their upcoming season. Huge thanks to Ross Copeland who stepped in to referee the game at short notice.

The upcoming season is looking very positive for the Ards Senior Squads and all the coaches can be very proud of bringing a sense of belief to all the players.

A special mention to Matthew Johnston, Ewan Baker, Josh Colville & Isaac Lowe who all made their senior rugby debuts.