Ards 3rd XV travelled to a chilly Roughfort on Saturday to play Academy 3rds.  Ards won the toss and elected to play into the stiff Antrim breeze.  

From the start the experienced Ards pack ran the game.  Plenty of pick & goes and multiple phases of play saw Ards dominate the ball.

Any ball that went wider, didn’t go to far past the number 12, David Thompson who made several charging runs into and through the Academy defence.  

The pressure continued to grow and several penalties later, Ards had a lineout a few yards out from the try line.  A good win in the air by the soaring Adam McKee and pin point throwing from Matt Busby saw Ards drive forward.  Gareth Wilson at 10 made a break and danced passed a few defenders, but was cut down short.  A brilliant offload to the supporting Stephen Cullen, saw the big number 8 bulldoze over the line for an unconverted try 5-0.

From the kick off, Ards knocked on and immediately put themselves under pressure. Academy kept up the pressure and eventually the pressure told as the number 10 glided through the oncoming defence and scored under the posts and converted for a 7-5 lead.

Ards huffed and puffed and tried to get things moving, but with an inexperienced back line, the game plan was limited.  Academy used the elements well and kicked long and pinned Ards in their 22.  

A lineout win from the Academy pack allowed the opposition to set up play in the midfield. The Academy 10 switched play and put a telling kick in behind the Ards defence for the speedy Academy right winger to slide over for a 12-5 lead at half time.  

Ards came out with renewed vigour in the second half and tried to make amends for the first half.  Again the elements played a part. Gareth Wilson and David Thompson kicked well to pin the Academy team back, deep in their half.  One kick saw Adam Coulter and Mike Taylor catch the Academy fullback and drive him back over the line.  

Ards continued to attack, but the final ball was elusive and turnovers allowed the academy men to ease the pressure.  

An Ards scrum about 8m out allowed a pre called move to take place.  Cullen picked and passed to scrum half Ben Thompson who jinked round the defender, and offloaded to namesake David Thompson, who used all his speed and agility to squeeze under two oncoming defenders to score in the corner, the conversion was missed.  

At 12-10, Ards were on the up and again pressuring the opposition line. However, a knock on in a try scoring position saw a scrum against and a series of indiscretions saw penalty after penalty and allowed Academy to March upfield.  

On the last play of the game, a 5m penalty saw the massive frame of the Academy lock forward power over for a killer unconverted try.

The game finished and Ards suffered a rare loss in a game they knew they could have won.  They will no doubt dust themselves down as there is plenty of rugby left in the season and silverware to play for.