U18s continue their good form

Ulster Property Sales sponsored Ards U18s continued their winning sequence of wins making it three in a row with a convincing win over Cooke U18s.

Cooke conceded the match prior to kick off having only arrived with a squad of 14 and then losing a player during the warm up; in the spirit of the game two Ards players (Mitch Young & Robin Watters) joined the Cooke ranks to make it a game of rugby.

Not surprisingly Ards were soon on the scoresheet after 2mins when winger Darragh Kelly scored out wide following great work by flanker Cameron Uprichard who claimed turnover ball at the kick off, outhalf Ethan Bell was unsuccessful with the conversion.

In the 6th minute Bell then converted his own try after Ards flanker Jonas Massey stole a Cooke lineout, No8 James McDowell made a great break and carried the ball to the Cooke 22 where it was well recycled for Bell to utilise the blindside to go in to score. Ards U18s 12 v Cooke 0

Cooke were not to be outdone and in the 10th minute some poor Ards defence saw Cooke's guest Ards player Watters crash over in the corner for his first try in youth rugby, the conversion was missed. Ards U18s 12 v Cooke 5

Ill discipline saw Ards reduced to 14 players when the returning Kristen McNiece was yellow carded after 18mins. Ards were forced to regroup and up their game.

Centre Callum O'Hanlon led the way in the 23rd minute when he picked up after a series of rucks and ran in from the half way line to score under the posts, Bell converted. Ards U18s 19 v Cooke 5

Ards flanker Uprichard then scored a brace of tries in quick succession on both occasions showing running superb supporting lines following breaks firstly by 2nd row Nathan Mallon and then seizing on turn over ball following great mid field defence by McNiece.
Half time: Ards U18s 29 v Cooke 5

Half time saw Cooke lose another player and again Ards came to their aid when 2nd row Cian Fitzsimmons joined their ranks.

In the spirit of the game the referee blew and end of play midway through the second half when Ards surpassed the forty point mark following scores from Captain Bailey Young, a hat trick for Uprichard and a conversion by Bell; sandwiched between these Ards scores was an unconverted try by Cooke. Final score: Ards U18s 43 v Cooke 10

Many thanks to the referee, the home support and Cooke for fulfilling the fixture. This Saturday Ards U18s host Banbridge in another Ulster Carpets Youth League match. All support would be most welcome.