Ards 1sts welcomed Academy to Hamilton Park on Saturday for their latest match in the Ulster Kukri Championship League. The manner of their opening week loss at Randalstown saw a robust week of training in preparation for the visit of one of the toughest pack of forwards around and a desire to get the points in their first home fixture of the season.

In recent seasons, matches between these two teams have been close, brutal and attritional affairs with a single score generally being the difference. This time round, Ards were not only ready for the challenge, but also willing to meet it and produce the physicality required to earn the win.

Ards kicked off towards Scrabo as a grim forecast of rain and high winds was beckoning. Both sides grappled for early dominance as the home side set the standard early on in 1st phase and play was centralised. The first real opportunity came on 15 minutes with a line out from a well placed penalty by the visitors in the right hand corner. A strong catch and drive move snaked its way forward and the Academy tight head prop drove through for the opening score. The conversion was wide, but the lead taken at 0-5.

The home side continued to press for some reward from possession, but with both defences in good order, it took until into the second quarter for this to translate into territory for Ards. Parked within 10 metres of the line, they were held up over the whitewash and then ensued a 10 minute period of scrum resets and free kicks, as the referee was stretched to interpret a constantly wheeling and collapsing front row. The head to head between Ards loose head prop Andrew Foster and his opposite number, who is considered among the best in junior rugby, was a titanic clash. The Academy scrum subdued, Ards flashed the ball wide for full back Mark McLean to come into the line and touch down out wide for a great score. The conversion from Cox hit the upright, but the score was levelled at 5-5.

Academy hit back at the restart and earned a kickable penalty. Duly converted by their fly half, they took the lead at 5-8 on the stroke of half time.

Ards started the 2nd half well, but the game continued to be one of fine margins and tight defences with little opportunity or space in open play. Their line out eventually settled and their scrum was now dominant and earning the favour of the official as the backline tried different running angles and tactics to break the deadlock. After 10 minutes, the pressure told and yet another scrum penalty 40 metres out was easily slotted by Paul Cox to level the scores at 8-8.

The visitors though were in no mood to back down and play was constantly broken by hard up defence. As the final quarter opened, it was clear the next score would be decisive. From another breakdown in play in midfield, Academy kicked deep to full back McLean. He ran back and deftly chipped over the onrushing defence. Hacking the ball through, he gave chase against a pursing defence and gathered to touch down. The conversion from Cox was good and the lead taken at 15-8.

Capitalising on the momentum, the Ards backline had opportunities and line breaks, with one of 50 metres from wing Adam Coulter breaking down agonisingly close with great cover defence. In return, Academy strung a 50 metre move of their own together, only for Ards to steal the lineout and clear territory.

In the end, the home side were able to out muscle their opposition and keep them in neutral space, closing out the win with clear heads and concentration. A scoreline of 15-8 does not reflect the play by both teams, but those present both on and off the pitch can attest to its content. All 17 Ards players on the day can certainly be proud of the manner of their victory and their efforts in doing so.

Our thanks to Academy RFC and the referee. Next week sees the 1sts travel to Larne RFC in their next league match.