CHAMPIONSHIP 2
LISBURN 20
ARDS 27
ARDS’ promotion aspirations remained on track following victory away from home against Lisburn on Saturday.
The visitors were missing captain Robbie Johnston and Angus Christie from the backline, but Shay Duckett and Trevor Devlin returned to cover their absence.
Ards received the kick-off and won a series of penalties to earn field position. Going on the attack, good carries from Matthew Kane and Matthew Hamilton saw Tom Arthur Donnan crash over for the opening try after five minutes.
Sharp work from the restart by Lisburn saw them earn two kickable penalties. Although the first was missed, the second was good and the score moved to 3-5 after 10 minutes.
Until the half-hour mark, there was plenty of probing play from both sides, without any threat as each sides’ defence and a slowing pitch nullified their efforts. A series of lineouts and carrying phases by the Ards pack then saw them into the Lisburn 22, as fly half Hamilton switched direction to release Ethan Bell down the wing for a second try in the corner.
From the restart, Ards won a lineout and cleared their 22. Centre Aaron May took advantage from confusion in the Lisburn ranks to snaffle a loose pass and run in from 60 metres. The conversion from Joel DePledge was good and the Ards lead was stretched to 3-17.
Things then deteriorated from the restart kick as the Ards catcher was taken out in the air and a yellow card was issued. Ards proceeded to camp themselves in the Lisburn half as hard carrying from Matthew Bell, Ross Torney and Matthew Kane eventually wore down a dogged defence, with Bell taking a crash ball from five metres for Ards’ bonus point try. With DePledge’s conversion, Ards took a 3-24 lead into half-time.
A restored and determined Lisburn were immediately on the attack at the start of the second half. Held out for a period by strong defence, one penalty too many led to a yellow card for Ards and the home side made the numbers count with a try out wide, well converted for a score of 10-24.
As play resumed, Ards used their dominant scrum and close carries to consolidate in the Lisburn half. One penalty too many was kickable and duly goaled by DePledge to move the lead out to 10-27.
The rain contributed to 20 minutes of to and fro rugby in the middle third of the pitch, as handling errors forced turnovers, scrums and penalties. With 10 minutes remaining, it was Lisburn who claimed a deserved converted try followed by a late penalty for a bonus point of their own.
Ards now welcome the in-form Larne to Hamilton Park on Saturday as they seek to maintain their promotion play-off spot.
