After a long run of weekends without any fixtures due to the weather and pitch conditions, Ards 2nds returned to cup action, with a Forster Plate quarter final match against Limavady at Hamilton Park.

It was a welcome return from injury for Danny Patton & Adam Finlay in the forwards, who also joined Matt Walker & Torin Ball in the pack. The backline seen the return of Trevor Devlin to centre, with Shay Duckett at scrum half after a month in Australia.

Considering the recent weather and frost the night prior, the pitch at Hamilton Park was in surprisingly good conditions, while soft under foot. With Limavady arriving very early for the fixture, it was clear to see they were going to be up for the challenge and this was evident when they nicked the first score of the game. Only a few minutes in, a squirting ball out the side of the ruck was swooped up by the Limavady winger, who scored in the corner from 10m out. Ards 0 v Limavady 5

The away side scored again shortly after, despite a period of good defence led by Nathan Bell, Mike Taylor & Walker. Sustained pressure in the 22 allowed the Limavady centre to run a short line and crash under the posts for a converted try. Ards 0 v Limavady 12

It was at this stage that Ards clicked into gear, with Duckett and Josh Colville pulling the strings from the half back positions. Good structure from the forwards and speed of ball from the backs allowed powerful carries from Ross Torney & Ryan Copeland, who both made numerous metres each time they had ball in hand. This led to Ards applying pressure of their own within the Limavady 22, forcing penalties from the referee. From one of these penalties, Patton tapped and went on the 5m line, crashing his way over the line. Ards 5 v Limavady 12

Shortly after, Ards struck again. A good kick to the corner from Colville following a penalty, allowed the large Ards pack a chance to give their maul a run. A well taken lineout from Finlay, provided the platform for the Ards maul to roll forward. Stopping just short of the line, a series of pick and go’s followed, with Ross Torney earning the reward as he crashed over the line, the conversion was missed. Ards 10 v Limavady 12

Momentum at this stage was truly in Ards favour, with Limavady struggling to make use of their own ball, and kicking it away on most occasions to the dangerous Ards back three of Adam Coulter, Michael Taylor and Mason McFarland. It was a loose kick from the away side that led to the try of the day. Retrieving the ball on the half way line, Taylor evaded a couple of defenders before being pulled down inside the 22. Quick thinking from Skipper Devlin, saw him pick and go from the ruck, and dashing over the line from 20m out, the conversion was well struck by Colville. Half time - Ards 17 v Limavady 12

At half time, Ards deployed Gareth McBurney and Ollie McCormac from the bench. With weather conditions worsening, the second half of rugby was unlike the first, with handling mistakes a regular occurrence. Multiple scrums and slow play also led to indiscipline, with the referee awarding multiple penalties to the Ards side, alongside a yellow card to the away side. Unfortunately, scrappy play led to an injury to winger Adam Coulter, who was replaced by Ross Copeland.

Ards continued to show their physical dominance with Colin McClure, Mark McLean & Ryan Copeland making yardage on regular occasions, causing a fractured defence for the away side. Despite having a good percentage of possession in the second half, Ards were not able to add to their points tally, with the referee blowing the final whistle at 17-12.

Despite a scrappy second half, Ards were delighted to secure a semi final spot in the Forster Plate, with the opponents to be decided. The 2nds return to league action on Saturday when they welcome QUB 3rds to Hamilton Park.