Ards 1sts welcomed Larne RFC to Hamilton Park last Saturday for their latest fixture in Kukri Ulster Championship League 2. The previous week’s overcooked underperformance against Donaghadee RFC that saw a narrow defeat wrested from a plethora of opportunities was still raw in the minds of many. This week saw the visit of a much sterner opposition, with their not inconsiderable pack and solid defence.

Ards saw the return of Matthew Neill to the centre, Paddy Bond to the unaccustomed position of wing and Robert Hull to the back row, with Sam McVeigh taking a place on the bench.

From the off, it was patent that Ards were playing with clear heads, putting together phases with aggression and discipline in attack and defending sharply, particularly around the breakdown. It wasn’t long before a set of phases brought Ards into the Larne 22 and simple but accurate passing by the backline saw wing Paddy Bond coast in after 6 minutes for the opening try. The difficult conversion by Captain Paul Cox was just wide and the lead taken at 5-0.

With the contact area seeing some robust exchanges, the referee was keen to police this tightly and quickly brought more flow into the game. The visitors did enjoy some possession, resulting in a kickable penalty after 11 minutes that was duly taken to pin Ards’ lead back to 5-3.

The home side then began to exert dominance for the remainder of the half, retaining possession well. Ards’ set piece was also functioning strongly, particularly their scrum. Using this platform, Ards held the majority of territory for the remaining 30 minutes or so of the half and despite some sterling defence from the visitors, started to make strong inroads.

Earning a number of penalties, Cox’s boot was used to find good touch position and use the driving line out. As the first quarter was ending, the pressure became too much and hooker Tom Arthur Donnan saw a gap at a ruck and darted over for Ards’ second try out wide. The conversion from Cox was again close, but just shy, but the lead extended to 10-3.

Ards were now in a purple patch, with organised hard hitting carries from the forwards providing good ball for the backs to work. Whilst Larne’s defence was initially strong, Cox decided to mix things up from fly half and sent full back Mark McLean on a great switch line.

McLean’s pace and direction was unstoppable and he beat a number of defenders to score under the posts. The easier conversion was good from Cox and the lead moved out further to 17-3, where it would remain until half time.

Larne started the second half strongly in the knowledge that they needed the next score to stay in the contest. The game became more centralised, with little ground ceded by either team, but the visitors worked a scrum and penalty well to go deep into Ards’ 22.

Working phases through their hefty pack, they brought their flanker in on a crash ball after 55 minutes and he took 2 defenders over the line with him to score Larne’s opening try. Although the conversion was missed, the score was taken back to 17-8.

However, this was to be the visiting team’s last score as Ards firstly locked down possession, then regained territory. Keeping their discipline well, the errors were forced and 3 penalties earned in 10 minutes in midfield were cleanly executed by Cox to consolidate the lead at 26-8.

With 10 minutes remaining and the visitors waning, Ards worked to earn their bonus point try. Play was still very much in the middle of the pitch, but gaps were starting to appear.

With second row Gareth McBurney switched to No8 and working well with scrum half Aaron May off the base off the scrum, a further dimension was brought to Ards’ attack.

With 5 minutes remaining and in the middle of the pitch, May managed to break free of the shackles of his excellent opposite number and go on a fast mazy run, outdoing four Larne defenders and rounding under the posts for the score of the day. The conversion from Cox was again good and the lead taken to 33-8, where it would remain.

Many positives can be taken from the game and from a performance that would compete with anything on offer in the League. A rest week next Saturday is followed by a visit to run away leaders Limavady. Ards will plan and train for a repeat performance and a potential upset for the Roesiders.