On Saturday the fledgling Ards Rugby U14 squad played their first youth rugby matches when they took part in an Ulster Rugby ‘Let’s Play’ event at Civil Service RFC along with the hosts and Instonians RFC.
This event is aimed at clubs who may have reduced numbers in their age group squads and are still keen to get their players game time against similar clubs who are in the process of building their player numbers. The matches were played 12 a side on a reduced size pitch and with Ulster Rugby development officers refereeing.
Through Ards Rugby’s outreach program (aka ROAR - Rugby Outreach @ Ards Rugby) in some of the local schools, the Youth section has seen players numbers increase steadily.
Under the watchful eye of Ards Rugby Youth Convenor Dayle Jones, coach Paul McMenamin and Ards Rugby Head Coach John West the U14s first took the field against Civil Service, both teams are at very similar stages in their development and played well, but it was Ards who outscored Civil Service; try scorers for Ards were Ashton Robinson, Ryan Hawkins, Aaron Burgess, Sam O’Neill, Kris Burgess and Ollie Hoey.
Ards then had a short break before taking on a bigger and more experienced Instonians team. The first half was a close affair and aw some great committed defending by Ards, Insts scored 2 quick tries but Ards then held their own and finished the half with Ashton Robinson showing his pace and scoring. The second again was a ding dong affair with Insts scoring another 2 quick tries followed by an Ards score by Kris Burgess, Insts replied with 2 further scores before Ryan Hawkins powered his way through for an Ards third try. The match ended 6-3 to Insts.
Finally, with Civil Service not wanting to participate, Ards and Insts mixed their teams to play in a 15 a side full pitch match, this went well and allowed the Ards players not only to further build confidence in their rugby playing ability but camaraderie with opponents also.
All in all a great morning of rugby for the Ards U14s.
Many thanks to Civil Service for hosting and to Neil & Murray from Ulster Rugby for organising.