Ards 3rd XV 11 - Ballymoney 4th XV 3

Ards 3rds welcomed Ballymoney to Hamilton park last Saturday for a keenly contested match, played in bright autumnal sunshine. The home team kicked off towards the Comber Road and held their own in the heavy forward exchanges that followed but a lack of intensity meant that no points were forthcoming until a penalty from Aston put the men in black on the scoreboard. The pack held their own in the scrum against a larger opposition and were dominant in the lineout with McKee and Dean performing well. Despite this the lack of support at breakdowns and a high penalty count allowed the visitors to stay in the game and a penalty leveled the scores just before half time.

The second half started much as the first ended and after repelling a period of sustained Ballymoney pressure with some great defending Ards began to grind their way into the driving seat. Some great mauling from the pack and penetrating runs from Robinson and Carmichael put them deep into the visitors half. Eventually Mckee fended off a number of tackles before running in for an unconverted try. Carmichael put in a man of the match performance and Busby continued to impressed as he gains match fitness. The game continued to be a crunching physical encounter but the Ards men stood strong and ended the game with a well struck penalty from Aston.

Ards Squad: A.Pedan, D.Chivers, M.Busby, I.Presho, R.Patterson, C.McCullough, C.Dean, A.McKee, Charlie Stewart, R.Aston, A.Coulter, S.Robinson, E.Adair, A.Hill, J.Carmichael.