On a calm but cloudy day Ards hosted a Cooke side who were 2nd in the league. A brisk start by both sides was settled when in the first scrum the superb Ards pack proved much superior and this dominance was rewarded when tighthead prop Danny McCullough broke through and scored the first try of the day, the conversion was missed by outhalf Alex Gaw. Ards 5 v Cooke 0

Within a couple of minutes the score was doubled when he ever industrious Captain and hooker David Chivers went over for an unconverted try.

Half time: Ards 10 v Cooke 0

The start of the second half saw Cooke come out with renewed vigour and turned the game on its head with strong tackling, more use of their backline and som help from the home side by the way of avoidable penalties allowing Cooke to score a converted try. Ards 10 v Cooke 7

With their dander up, the Cooke players went hunting for more points which duly came from sharp work by their centre who dotted down for a converted try. Ards 10 v Cooke 14

After some advice from the coaching team Ards went about to make amends and after some great work again by the forwards flanker Matt Bell crashed over for a try which Gaw converted.

Final score: Ards 17 v Cooke 14

It should be mentioned that although it was the forwards who scored the tries, the backline tackled and defended ferociously and broke well when the opportunity afforded.

Special to mention Stewart Paul who was returning for his first match of the season following knee surgery in the summer.

Many thanks to Cooke and the referee for a highly enjoyable contest.