Kicking off playing towards Scrabo and with the sun and wind in their faces; Ards competed well in the opening exchanges with captain David CHIVERS and David WICKENS prominent.

After 20 minutes the score was level at 3 - 3 with both teams having exchanged penalties, full back Stephen ROBINSON converting Ards' penalty.

Armagh then went 10 points ahead at 13 - 3 converting another penalty then scoring a converted try after some slack defence by Ards in the middle of the park.

Ards stepped up their game under the leadership of CHIVERS and after a period of pressure, Armagh conceded a penalty which ROBINSON duly converted. Ards 6 - Armagh 13.

Ards attempted to step up the intestity of their game with WICKENS, CHIVERS and McKEE carrying ball and running hard lines at the Armagh defence; to Armagh's credit they defended robustly and started to gain the upper hand with their larger and more physical pack coming to the fore.

Armagh stretched their lead scoring a try in the clubhouse corner which was converted by their centre.

Half time: Ards 6 - Armagh 20

Ards regrouped at half time and started the second half with the belief they were still in the game this was enthusiasm was shortlived.

In the opening minutes an Armagh second row took a wonderful pass of the shoulder of his out half and scythed his way through the Ards defence to score a fine try under the posts which was duly converted.

This score did not deter the Ards team and they continued to compete for every ball and defended stoutly. Ards played through their phases and to put themslves into try scoring field position but too often they conceded turnover ball or lost a lineout.

It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that Armagh extended their lead scoring 2 tries one of hich was converted.

Final score: Ards 6 - Armagh 39

Team: Daniel WHITLA, David WICKENS, Jonny MILLAR, Pete CROAN, Adam McKEE, Ryan MILLS, David CHIVERS, Glen DUGAN, Stephen McKEE, Ricky ASTON, Andy WRIGHT, Oren KISBY, Ewan ADAIR, Roger SCOTT, Stephen ROBINSON.

Ards welcomed back Pete CROAN in second row after returning from injury