This was a chance for senior coaches Mervyn Tweed, Scott Young, Lawrence Kelly, Neil McMillan and team managers Robin Johnston, Gareth Paden and Ricky Coates to run their eye over a number of players and get pre match routines finalised.

A total of 27 Ards players got game time; the game was played over 3 x 20 minute periods and proved to be a good work out for next week's 1sts and 2nds games away to Armagh in the Ulster League; the 3rds season starts the following week at home to Ballymena.

Grosvenor kicked off the 1st period playing towards Scrabo Tower; almost immediately Ards put themselves under pressure by conceding turnover ball whilst attempting to offload in the tackle.
Grosvenor seized on this mistake and after some good recycling scored a converted try close to the Ards posts.

From the resulting kick off Ards were awarded a scrum just outside the Grosvenor 22; the front row of Ashley Paden, captain David Chivers and Michael McMenamin gave a solid platform allowing the backline to execute a training ground move with centre Stephen Cole splitting the Grosvenor defence to score well under the posts; out half Paul Cox converted.

The next 10 minutes were keenly contested but Ards conceded too many penalties at the breakdown. However; the next score went to Ards when outhalf Cox took a quick penalty from just inside the Grosvenor half and ran in to score under the posts leaving seveal would be tacklers in his wake; Cox converted.

The final passage of play in this period saw Cox put up a great Garryowen which winger Roger Scott contested causing the Grosvenor defence to knock on; advantage was played and it was Cox who was at hand to snap up the loose ball and show good strength to break through the would be tackler to again run in and score his 2nd try which he again converted.

Ards 21 - Grosvenor 7

Ards made wholesale changes at the start of the 2nd period with John Mawhinney, Ryan Mills, Daniel McNally, Stephen Robinson, Oren Kisby and Ricky Aston all entering the fray.

It was Grosvenor who kept their shape and who scored first in this period when their flank forward went over for try which was converted.

Scrum half McKee barged his way over for a try converted by Aston at the end of ths period

Ards 23 - Grovesnor 14

Ards were more determined to give all players a run out and the 3rd period saw Ricky Coates, Chris Webster, Simon Irvine and Paul Finlay get game time. An injury saw Andy Shaw leave the pitch and Neil Armstrong return. The 3rd period prove to be Grovesnor's, who scored a converted try by their winger after a lapse of concetration by the Ards defence.

The last score of the game was a try by Grovesnor.

Ards where keen to play a 4th period to give players more game time, but this was not to be the case.

Thanks are extended to Grovesnor in playing the game and good luck to their club in the forthcoming season.

It was hearting to see visiting players to stay behind, have a beer, a burger and enjoy the camaradorie of the hosts.

Ards Squad:

M.McMenamin, D.Chivers (Capt.), A.Paden, I.Presho, P.Croan, D.Calvert, M.Robinson, N.Cahoon, P.Thompson, P.Cox, R.Scott, A.Shaw, S.Cole, N.Armstrong, M.McClean, I.McCarrison, R.Mills, R.Coates, J.Mawhinney, P.Finlay, S.McKee, S.Robinson, D.McNally, C.Webster, O.Kisby, R.Aston, S.Irvine.