Match Reports
1st XV – Ards 12 v 24 Instonians
2nd XV – No game
4th XV – Ards 39 v 12 Bangor
3rd XV – Omagh 15 v 5 Ards
Ards 3rds made the long journey west on Saturday to face league leaders and unbeaten Omagh 3rds. So far this season Ards have not travelled well having lost their 2 away matches to Dromore and Banbridge.
With several regulars non available this weekend Ards 3rds were able to utilise the squad that Gareth Paden has managed to build up over the past 3 seasons and still travel with some confidence.
Playing in perfect conditions Ards found themselves on the back foot with Omagh starting the brighter of both teams. After 12minutes Omagh were 7-0 ahead, after scoring a converted try.
Despite periods of good pressure by Ards, Omagh managed to soak this up and were awarded a penalty on Ards’ 10 metre line which they converted putting them 10-0 ahead.
Ards responded well and after 30minutes scrum half Josh McKee drove over for an unconverted try after good work from winger Willie Maynard and forwards Ian Presho, Davy Calvert and Michael McMenamin.
Omagh showed why they are unbeaten and almost immediately responded with a break away try after Ards lost the ball in contact, the resulting conversion was missed.
Half – time: Omagh 15 v Ards 5
After the half time team talk, Ards really upped the pace of the game and took the control of the game.
Ewan Adair at out half started to shine and J McKenzie started to gain ground in the centre of the park. The forwards were on the front foot, dominating the scrums and off loading well.
Ards put themselves into try scoring positions but failed to make the most of these opportunities, taking ball into contact and losing possession and poor decision making when supporting players were present.
Despite this sustained pressure by Ards, the second half remained scoreless and Omagh won the game 15 -5.
Ards will look back on this game as a game lost and will look to avenge this defeat in the return fixture in February.
Ards 3rds:
1. R Hamilton 2. D Chivers 3. M McMenamin 4. I Presho 5. A Paden 6. Davy Calvert 7. W McCutcheon 8. M Wilson 9. J McKee 10. E Adair 11. C Braniff 12. J McKenzie 13. D McNally 14. W Maynard 15. S Robinson
U19s – Down High School 39 v 0 Ards
Ards under 19 travelled to Down High Grammar School for a friendly match on Saturday. Down started off at a blistering pace scoring an unconverted try in the second minute. Ards held their composure and discipline through the first half with phases of great play but with no reply to Downs three unconverted tries, although Ards narrowly missed two penalties. Down led 15 nil at half time. Down played more great rugby in the second half running out 39 – nil winners though Ards took a lot from the game as these guys have played together all through school. All the best to Down for the rest of the season and the Schools Cup and a thank you to Charlie Knox for arranging this fixture.
Next week Ards travel to Malone. Team to meet at Ards at 12.30pm
U17s – Ards 56 v 3 Ophir
Ards started the game with only 12 men, Ophir with 13. From the start Ards attacked through their backs marshalled by Danny Kerr.
Jamie Johnston playing at inside centre was a major threat crashing through the Ophir defence several times before linking well with Josh Fleming who knew he could take his opposite number.
The forwards were never under much pressure from a well drilled and large pack with Jamie McCartney, Jack Coulter, and James Campbell really standing out.
The score line of 56 -3 to Ards does not tell how well Ophir played for periods of the match. Ards played simple rugby but they did this well the weeks on the training pitch have done wonders. Their support of the player with the ball was outstanding and it was these line that were the difference between the teams
Cois Beukes
Cois is going through a particularly tough time at the moment and needs all of us to remember him in our thoughts and prayers.
Visiting has been restricted to his immediate family for now, but hopefully this will change in the near future. Cois, Rachel and all the family circle, would like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to better times ahead.
Recruitment Of Players
Calling all Movilla High School and Nendrum College U15s rugby players. Ards RFC has a strong historical link with both schools and for this to be maintained we urgently need players from both schools to help bolster the U15s team. Training is on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 8.30pm and everybody will be very welcome.
New players for all other Senior, Ladies, Youth and Mini teams in the club are also welcome to come along and help sustain Ards as the only premier club in the North Down area.
Training times can be found in the Club News items on the homepage of the club website at: www.ards-rfc.com – Click Here Ladies
Good numbers continue to turn up for training under floodlights on Wednesday evenings as the girls build towards their first game in a few weeks time. Ross Reid and Ian Caughey have been doing a fantastic job starting from scratch with the Ladies section and are to be commended for their commitment to date.
The players too are also to be congratulated for their enthusiastic commitment and hopefully all the effort being put in on training nights will be rewarded soon.
Youth
Both the U19s and 17s have had very encouraging starts to their league campaigns so far and hopefully this will continue on throughout the season. Both however could do with a bit more support in the coaching, playing and supporters departments. So if you fancy togging out either as a coach or a player or just want to come along and lend your support to the teams then please feel free to do so, the more the merrier.
Mini
The Minis hosted near neighbours Bangor on a bright and sunny afternoon last Sunday. It’s always good to exchange warm greetings with fellow County Down opposition and this time was no exception.
Players from both sections gave it their all on the field of play and everyone can be justly proud of their endeavors and efforts on the day.
Thanks to Bangor for making the short trip and we look forward to a return fixture to the seaside town soon.
Social
The next gathering of the FARLS will be held in the clubrooms at Hamilton Park on Friday 29th October 2010 from 12.30pm. To ensure you don’t miss out on another great social gathering of the ‘Clan’ and to book your place, please contact Douglas Harley, who will be more than happy to add your name to the list.
Saturday 6th November sees another popular poker night taking place at the club with a start time of 8pm. Patrons intending to take part should contact Steven Eachus, Stevie Nutt or Gareth Paden for more details.
Other planned social events taking place at the club in the coming weeks include table quizzes, teams Christmas Dinners with spectacular draw and the Minis Christmas party.
All teams can book a night for their Christmas Dinner through either Steven Eachus or the club steward Terry Atcheson and let the good times roll.
Schools Tag Rugby
St Mary’s PS Comber, Donaghadee PS, St Finians PS Newtownards and St Patricks PS Ballygalget are amongst this seasons schools already availing of Tag Rugby. Tag Rugby (none contact) is a fun sport for both boys and girls and can be played both indoors and out. Anyone who would like this great activity delivered to their school should contact Emma Hingston, the Sports Development Officer at Ards Borough Council on 02891 824000 or e-mail HYPERLINK “mailto:emma.hingston@ards-council.gov.uk” emma.hingston@ards-council.gov.uk to book their place.
Fixtures – Saturday 30th October
Ards 1st XV v Nenagh Ormond – AIL (Away)
Ards 2nd XV v Randalstown Conference – League 3B (Away)
Ards 3rd XV v Clogher Valley – League (Home)
Ards 4th XV- No Game
Ards U19s v Malone – League (Away)
Ards U17s – No Game
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated.
Please refer to the club website at HYPERLINK “http://www.ards-rfc.com”
www.ards-rfc.com – Click Here
