Sat 26th Oct, 2:30pm. Ards RFC – All Ireland League 2B 20 – 14 DLS PALMERSTON
Ards made it 2 wins from 3 starts in this season’s Ulster Bank All Ireland League, when they came from behind to record a 20 – 14 win over De La Salle Palmerston (DLSP) in what was the first ever match between both clubs.
Ards made it 2 wins from 3 starts in this season’s Ulster Bank All Ireland League, when they came from behind to record a 20 – 14 win over De La Salle Palmerston (DLSP) in what was the first ever match between both clubs.
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The weather forecast was spot on, with driving rain coming from the direction of Scrabo towards Strangford Lough.
Ards faced these elements in the first half and in the 13th minute after literally soaking up early DLSP pressure Ards took the lead through a well struck penalty from full back paul cox after centre SCOTT YOUNG broke through the DLSP line and fed supporting centre Stuart Paul who kicked on through deep into the DLSP half; the covering DLSP defence was penalised for not releasing the ball. Ards 3 – 0 DLSP
DLSP levelled the score with a 15th minute penalty after Ards had a penalty decision reversed when veteran 2nd row Gary Presho decided to take the law into his own hands and was subsequently yellow carded. Ards 3 – 3 DLSP
In the 22nd minute DLSP scored a try when their centre looped round and crashed over in the corner, the conversion was missed. Ards 3 – 8 DLSP
DLSP were doing their upmost to take advantage of the elements and pinned Ards back in their own 22 for long periods; the Ards defence held strong and repelled the DLSP attacks and on 2 occasions DLSP elected to tap and go rather with kickable penalties and paid the price.
In the 34th minute Ards prop ANDREW FOSTER was somewhat harshly yellow carded when adjudged to come in for the side.
DLSP extended their lead just before with half time, when being awarded a penalty this time they elected to kick after Ards were penalised for going over the top at the breakdown on the Ards 22.
Half time: Ards 3 – 11 DLSP
At half time the Ards management and coaching team were satisfied with the 11 – 3 margin and were confident their team would come back into the game, however, it was DLSP who scored the first points of the 2nd half with a 42nd minute penalty. Ards 3 – 14 DLSP
Ards kept their shape and didn’t panic. In the 49th minute Ards out-half and captain MARK BANFORD chased a super box kick by scrum-half KYLE AGNEW and out paced the DLSP defence to score in the corner, full back Cox made a super conversion from out wide. Ards 10 – 14 DLSP
Ards were in confident mood now and dominating most facets of play and after putting a number of phases together, full back Cox crashed over the DLSP line in the 52nd minute for a fine try which he converted. Ards 17 – 14 DLSP
In the 73rd minute Ards stretched their lead when Cox converted a penalty after DLSP were penalised for succumbing to the pressure of the Ards pack in several scrums.
Full time: Ards 20 – 14 DLSP
This was a superb win by the Ards team, they showed great character coming from behind, sticking to their structure, not panicking and most of all believing in themselves.
The Ards coaches utilised their squad to the full during this game and proved it is not just the starting 15 players who win games in this league but the full squad of 20 players.
Ards travel to Cork on Friday evening to play Sunday’s Well on Saturday at Musgrave Park in buoyant mood and hoping to their good form.
Ards squad:
ANDREW FOSTER, MATT BUSBY, Willie Dodd, Gary Presho, John Dowey, Ross Sinnamon, Max Harrison, Damian Broughall, KYLE AGNEW, MARK BANFORD (captain), Trevor Devlin, Stuart Paul, SCOTT YOUNG, Gareth Wilson, paul cox, Colin McClure, JONNY MILLER, Bale Tabaiwalu, Adrian Dodd, Epi Ratu
Ards Rugby Club Notes I XV 20 v DLSP 14
