The Black Knights have won the McCambley Cup Final!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Incredibly The Black Knights – Ards rugby’s old boys team have played in their seventh final in 10 years!
This is an unprecedented period of dominance in minor rugby and Ards secured their fifth victory in the last ten years at the recently revamped home of Ulster rugby.
Many club members young and old were there to cheer on the local lads in black at the home of the white knights. This years squad members contained many famous faces from Ards teams over the years and a few lads who have tasted success at the highest levels of the game.
Pen pictures
Geoff Garrett
The pocket battleship has had a great season in the tight with his strong scrummaging, and in the loose with his powerful carries.
Gary Dempsey
This front row fixture has an incredible appetite for the game and is playing as well as ever.
Andy Fletcher
Has adapted well to the new scrum rules, with dominant performances in the scrum and always in the thick of the action.
Gareth Paden
One of the most technically brilliant hookers in the game, his accurate throwing is like an NFL quarterback.
Stevie Nutt
Turned in an outstanding performance in both the quarters and semi finals. DIY injury means “Nutty” will be out for the final, a big loss for Ards.
Rab Irwin
The Guvnor of the front row, this gentle giant still has immense strength and enough power to dominate his opponents.
Brian McFarland
The ‘ironman’ himself has added a great line out option to his legendary endurance, his best season in years.
David Savage
Savo remains a tough nut and the heartbeat of the Ards pack, still manages to pop up with critical tries such as the game winner in the semi final.
Keith McIlwaine
“Megatron” as he’s known to his teammates, transforms from flying centre to tough tackling back row with consummate ease. The baby of the Ards squad at 31 will have a key role to play in the final.
Michael Higginson
Higgy has bounced back from a bad injury to turn in a tour de force performance in the quarter finals. Ards will hope to see Michael at his maurading best on the 26th.
Andrew Crozier
Crozier has been an ever present this season and has consistently played to a high standard. It’s a great sight to see the big man breaking tackles and attacking the open spaces.
Nigel lynch
“Bambi” has turned in some great performances this season, still has the ability to put in a huge tackle count over 80 minutes.
Stevie Robinson
The hard running versatile player has won many plaudits for his strong performances in the black shirt.
Andrew Matchett
The Ulster legend has again had a great season, reminding everyone just why he has a packed trophy cabinet – still the best passer in the game.
Stevie Bell
Ards mercurial out half and team captain. Beller leads by example and when he plays well the Black Knights play well. Stevie will need all his playmaking tactics to be spot on if Ards are to prevail over Cookstown.
Shane Stewart
The tough tackling Kiwi returned to the Black Knights after a 3 year sabbatical and it’s no coincidence that when Shane returned, the Knights returned to Ravenhill. On his day he remains close to unplayable and the Ards fans will hope he brings his “Leicester” game to Ravers on Saturday.
Andy Todd
The teak tough Scotw has dominated opposing teams with his hard running and bone-crushing tackling, if Ards win on Saturday a rendition of the Flower of Scotland is a certainty.
Simon Crowe
The fleet footed fireman has got pace to burn, and he’s roasted a few opposing players this season. Simon has covered several positions throughout the season and played to a high standard in them all.
Trevor Spence
Another top quality midfielder in the Knights squad. Trevor’s mazy running has put many a defence off balance and his hard tackling has stopped the opposition in their tracks on several occasions.
John McCartney
“Stella” is the best dressed guy in the team with more fancy shirts than House of Fraser. John has been a consistently strong player for the Knights this season with his powerful running and stepping in to scrum half on occasions to great effect.
Gordy McBride
The Knights top try scorer. There is no greater sight than Gordy flying up the wing at full speed and his tackling remains a key factor in the Black Knights’ miserly defence.
Willie McAllister
The flying winger has searing pace and will be a huge danger in the wider channels at Ravenhill.
Jack Flynn
Jack returned mid season and quickly reminded everyone why he asks so many questions from opposition defences, he remains a real handful and scored some well taken tries like the natural finisher that he is.
Cyril Stocker
The Ards legend has battled to overcome a couple of injuries but he remains one of the most effective strike runners in Ulster rugby. Cyril’s try scoring ratio at Ravenhill is incredible and Ards fans will hope he keeps this up on Saturday.
JD Gamble
Le petit general, has bounced back from a broken foot to assist the Knights in the closing stages of the season. Technically gifted and a great all round sportsman, JD can play anywhere in the backs and still makes it look easy.
Neil Workman
The founder of the Black Knights donned his boots on a few occasions this season with the odd flash of brilliance.
Warren Simpson
Ards legend “Simmo” came out of retirement to bench in the semifinal.
John Mckeag
Another of the original Black Knights who played in the quarters and rolled back the years with a trademark performance.
Jim Webster
As team medic Jim has kept the guys in one piece with his invaluable work on the sideline and his trusty magic sponge.
Robin Johnston
RJ brings some thoughtful tactical awareness to the management team and will be delighted to see the guys step out at Ravenhill once again
Stuart Stevenson
Stuart will be the proudest man in the stadium when the Black Knights march down the tunnel on Saturday.
Equally pleased for their teammates will be the other squad members whose season was cut short with injuries such as David Thompson, David Algie, Phil Gill, Willie Maynard and Chris Allen. All these lads, and a few others, have contributed to a special season for the Ards 4ths and it was a huge challenge to compete with Cookstown who are a young, fit, 1st XV but the Black Knights have come so far and gave it their all in the final. That’ll do us Ards!”
This editorial was originally published on the ARDS RFC wensite as a preview which we have ammended, whoever wrote it deserves the credit. Well done to both teams on a superb final
