CHAMPIONSHIP 2
ARDS 24
LETTERKENNY 0
IT was a productive weekend for Ards as they took care of business at Hamilton Park and results elsewhere towards the top of Championship 2 went in their favour.
Prior to the visit of Letterkenny, Ards were lying a close third in the table with only a handful of points covering the main contenders.
The Ards pack saw a start for Matthew Walker for the injured Matthew Bell, whilst the backline saw a reshuffle in the back three to cover the absence of Rory Christie, with Aaron May on the wing and a welcome return, from injury, for forward Danny Patton on the bench. Whilst there was no wind to contend with this week, the pitch was just playable following another rainy week and rain was falling as the match started.
A bright start from the visitors saw Ards on the defensive for a few minutes before winning a turnover and keeping the ball in hand. A number of line breaks and hard carries saw a penalty won close to the Letterkenny line, from which a set forward move saw Matthew Kane crash over for the opening score and a 7-0 lead following Joel DePledge’s conversion.
Shortly after, a set backs move released May on the right wing, but the Letterkenny full-back defended well. The subsequent lineout saw a number of forward drives with Ards held up over the line and the following scrum was well defended by the visitors, with their lines eventually cleared.
With the first quarter drawing to a close, each team’s playing style was taking shape, with Ards happy to keep the ball in hand and Letterkenny opting for a kicking game and keeping the home back three busy.
From this, the backline was able to fashion some exciting moves, with Ethan Bell, Angus Christie and May making breaks. With the half-hour mark approaching, a penalty won in the Letterkenny 22 from one such move was taken for a line out and a set move released Tom Arthur Donnan on a run from close in to crash through the last defenders for Ards’ second try. The conversion was missed.
Ards were dominating territory and possession with good work from full-back Jack Smith and prop Kane. Another lineout penalty was driven towards the line before a switch of play saw fly half Matty Hamilton drive into a gap and score Ards’ third try on the stroke of half-time, which went unconverted.
Conditions deteriorated further in the second half and neither the playing surface nor ball were conducive to running rugby, despite the efforts of both sides. Small gains, stoppages and scrums were the order of the day as Ards pursued a bonus point try and Letterkenny attempted to open their account.
An extended period of possession for Ards saw multiple phases including a good break by centre Ryan Upritchard that ended in a line out to Letterkenny inside their 22. Spilled ball from this lineout was snaffled by Donnan to run in from 10 metres and score the all-important bonus point try. Bell’s conversion was good.
With the final quarter well underway, both sides were playing entertaining attacking rugby, but the heavy pitch prevented a flowing game and the match ended with no further score.
Results elsewhere on the day were very much in Ards’ favour and they ended the day in second position in the league. This weekend sees the crunch game of the season run-in, as Ards visit league leaders Limavady, seeking some return from a contest that they won last season.
