Ards 2nd squad welcomed Ballynahinch 4ths in the first round of the Forster Cup. Both teams started their league campaigns well, with both teams top of their respective provincial leagues which lead to what would be an encounter worth watching.

With unavailability, injuries and last minute cross team changes. The team that was selected remained strong. Aaron Bittles, Gary Presho, Torin Ball and Jonny King returned in the forward pack. In the backline, Joel Clarke and Paul Cox started at half back with Harry Blaney and Adam Hughes earning starts. Keir Edgar, Ross Copeland and Josh Browne providing impact from the bench this week.

Playing towards scrabo and into a stiff breeze. Ards, in untypical fashion were slow out of the blocks. Inability to deal with the kick off saw Hinch build pressure with quick phases, which eventually saw the Hinch 13 run a clever line and score under the posts. 0-7. When Ards got on the ball, they put some pressure on the Hinch defensive line but the Hinch defence held out strong. Back to back penalties saw Hinch again build pressure. With their effective lineout and front foot ball retention. Good hands in the backline saw the Hinch winger go over. Unconverted. 0-12.

With the breakdown a keenly contested area, Ards indiscipline was letting Hinch get field position. A penalty from such indiscipline saw Hinch extend their lead. 0-15.

Ards were starting to get more hands on the ball, with Torin Ball, Nathan Bell and captain Andrew Foster setting up more front foot ball. From a Hinch 50/22, their dominant rolling maul set up just short of the line with a pick and go seeing Hinch score. Unconverted. HT 0-20

With Ards playing with the breeze and utilising the bench. Ards started well, with Aaron Bittles and Harry Blaney getting more into the game with strong carries which set up the backline which exploited the outside channels. A penalty from Paul Cox was slotted over after Ards pressure. 3-20

With Ross Copeland running the lineout and securing ball, this allowed quick phases. More strong carries from Keir Edgar, Josh Browne, Torin Ball and Mark McLean saw Ards set up in the 22 utilising their forward power game. With scrum half Clarke directing traffic in the tight exchanges, multiple phases saw Aaron Bittles bury in and score. Unconverted. 8-20.

Hinch were effective in combating playing into the breeze. When their backline were set free, they looked threatening but good Ards defence stopped any sort of progress. Some Hinch indiscipline saw Ards slot over another penalty from fly half Cox. 11-20.

With time running out, Ards were throwing everything to claw back the scoreboard, but on this occasion it wasnât to be with Ballynahinch 4s taking the spoils and heading into Rd 2 of the Forster Cup, with Ards 2s into the Forster Plate RD1.