Ards handed a senior rugby debut to scrum half Neil CULLY formerly of Regent House.

Playing towards Strangford Lough in the first half Ards dominated the early exchanges and with 9 minutes gone went 3 - 0 ahead when full back Stevie Robinson converted a penalty from the middle of the park after Instonians were penalised for killing the ball.

Ards continued with this dominanace with flanker Jamie STINSON and hooker Matt BUSBY to the fore, however Ards could not capitalise on this dominance and conceded too many turn overs at crucial times.

It was Instonians who scored the first try of the game when in the 25th minute they were awarded a penaty 5 meters out from the Ards line which they tapped and a Insts forward crashed over to score; the conversion was missed.

Instonians scored a second try in the 31st minute when a poor kick ahead by Ards was fielded well by the Instonians full back who called a mark and then tapped the ball to himself and attacked the down the middle of the pitch the chasing Ards defence was cut in two and the Instonians full back linked well for a team mate to run through unopposed to score under the posts; the try was converted. Ards 3 - Instonians 10

Ards responded well and secured good lineout ball on the Instonians 22, from this Ards attacked down the 10 channel and then blind side through BUSBY and CULLY; second row Adam McKEE ran a beautiful line at pace to break the Instonians defence and scored a fine try to the left of the posts; out half Simon HAMILTON converted this.
Ards 10 - Instonians 10.

Ards were awarded a penalty from the re-start for an off the ball incident which occurred as McKEE scored his try; rather than use ROBINSON's big boot and go for the posts Ards decided to kick to touch; Ards lost the resulting lineout Ards and as so often happens Instonians scored a try from within their own half to finish the first half rather luckily 17 - 10 in front.

Half time: Ards 10 v Instonians 17

The Ards management team and those watching the game have yet too work out what happened at during the half time break; it wasn't a case that Instonians came out all guns blazing rather a case of Ards committing hari kiri.

Instonians scored 4 converted tries during the second half 2 off which were intercepts and one of which was from their own try line when an Ards player was held up and Instonians turned over ball their winger was able to show his footballing skills and dribble the ball the full length of the pitch to score under the posts.

Adam McKEE scored the final try off he game popping up on the right wing and showing good pace to run in from the half way line.

Final score: Ards 15 - Instonians 45

Ards have to take heart for the second week running their first half performance has been outstanding but the second half has been disappointing; these matters can be addressed by attending training on Monday and Wednesday nights and having self confidence.

A positive note was the performace of scrum half Neil CULLY, flanker Jamie STINSON and hooker Matt BUSBY.

Ards team:
Daniel WHITLA, Matt BUSBY, Colin McCLURE, Peter CROAN, Adam McKEE, Jamie STINSON, David CHIVERS (captain), Jonny DAWSON, Neil CULLY, Simon HAMILTON, Ewan ADAIR, Andrew HASSARD, John QUIGG, Gareth WILSON, Stephen ROBINSON.