Last Saturday Ards 2nds travelled to Tom Simms Memorial Park, Carrickfergus to contest Carrick 2nds in the Forster Plate final on their home turf. The highly anticipated final drew a large crowd. The Ardsmen had prepared well in the lead up to the game and were keen to play with the same purpose that they have all season. The weather was warm and there was a breeze that Ards played with during the first half.

Ards started well and on the front foot putting phases together through strong carries from the pack with Gareth McBurney & Ross Torney prominent, resulting in a penalty awarded just outside the Carrick 22m line which they elected to go for touch. Ards secured the ball however the resulting phases saw Carrick come away with the ball and put the days first points on the board through a good breakaway try and conversion. Ards 2nds 0 v Carrick 2nds 7

The Ardsmen were not deterred and got back down into the Carrick 22. A Carrick misdemeanour saw Ards awarded a penalty, this time Captain Andrew Foster took the decision to let out-half Paul Cox kick for goal. The resulting kick was slotted straight between the posts. Ards 2nds 3 v Carrick 2nds 7

Another period of Ards pressure saw Ards awarded another penalty which Cox duly converted. Ards 2nds 6 v Carrick 2nds 7

The game then ebbed and flowed until the half time whistle. Half time - Ards 2nds 6 v Carrick 7

At the break Coach Simon Hamilton reminded the players of what they had achieved thus far this season and asked for them to empty the tank for the remaining 40 minutes. The Ardsmen were fired up and took play to the Carrick 22, out-half Cox spotted a gap and went through for an unconverted try. Ards 2nds 11 v Carrick 2nds 7

With Ards having the lions share of possession, centre Adam Barnes justified his player of the match performance award with an outstanding breakaway score beating four Carrick men to score from the halfway line which Cox converted. Ards 18 v Carrick 7

Carrick responded with some resolute carries and a will to succeed and with 10mins to go were rewarded with a try as the strong defensive Ards line was broken out wide, Carrick dotted down closer to the posts to make a better angle for the conversion that went over. Ards 2nds 18 v Carrick 2nds 14

Carrick then threw everything they had at Ards but the Ards defence held strong, the final whistle coming after Carrick knocked the ball over the line after a superb try saving tackle from Ards flanker Michael Lyttle. Final score Ards 2nds 18 v Carrick 2nds 14

Thanks go to Carrick for hosting a well contested final and to the three match officials on the day. Special thanks to our marvellous supporters and to everyone that helped behind the scenes throughout a long but rewarding season. The eighteen cup finalists and everyone who pulled on a black shirt and represented the 2nd XV throughout the season thanks for putting your bodies on the line for our great club.