Ards 3rds 26 v Larne 3rds 0

‘Changing of the guard’

Last Saturday was the first game out for the 2024-25 season and also a new era for Ards 3rd XV. There has been a changing of the guard, as alot of the older ‘Black Knights’ have hung up the boots and have been replaced by youth, with only a sprinkling of the older guard and their experience starting or warming the bench. The manager for the last 8 seasons Stuart Stevenson has moved into the position of Chairman at the club. He has been ably replaced by club stalwart David Armstrong. A sign of change at Hamilton Park and great to see the young men coming through leading the club into the future.

Ards kicked off and applied pressure from the start, but some lazy clear-outs saw several penalties go against, but Larne made no headway. David Hunter was supreme in the lineout leaping like a salmon all day and winning his and opposition ball. Eventually pressure told with a good pickup from Lewis English and he drove through. A great clean out and a change in direction saw hooker Robert Dougan score, converted by 3rds captain Paul Cox. Ards 3rds 7 v Larne 3rds 0

Larne came back hard and some careless play from Ards saw Larne pressurise the line, but the Ards defence was resolute and Larne were not getting through the black wall in front of them. A welcome return to an Ards shirt saw Lewis English leading the charge with some impressive tackling.

After some scrappy play, Ards managed to regain composure and with some good lineout ball set up several drives from Davey Reid, who was in the mood for it today with an impressive performance. He was followed by fellow veteran Gary Presho and young blood Lewis Gordon. They set up quick ball and Gareth Wilson popped to English on the charge and he bulldozed through the Larne defence and scored under the posts. Cox converted and Ards increased their lead to 14-0.

Again scrappy kickoff routines and the pressure was back on the Ards 22. However, the Men in Black were not letting their line be breached and some last ditch tackling saw a turnover and Cox cannoned the ball safely into touch.

HT Ards 3rds 14 v Larne 3rds 0

The second half kicked off and debutant Harry Cowan, playing his first ever game of rugby, scythed through the Larne defence, showing some dazzling footwork that would not have been out of place on Strictly Come Dancing. A last ditch grab at his jersey saw him caught short of a debut try. The ruck was good and some intricate play saw a cross field kick, which Ross Copeland was able to field. He stepped inside the defender and was able to offload to younger brother Ryan who powered in the corner for try number three of the day the conversion was missed. Ards 3rds 19 v Larne 3rds 0

Ards were now in total control and more pressure saw penalty after penalty awarded for collapsed mauls from lineouts. The referee was reluctant to take further action, so Ards decided to run. Ryan Gawley and Lewis Gordon were powerful up front, breaking the gain-line. Two phases later and Dougan was in under the posts for his brace and the bonus point was secured. Cox converted for 26-0.

The rest of the game, both teams cancelled each other out, but some noteworthy mentions. Josh Browne’s impressive pick and steps and making valuable yards up the pitch with a double dummy, was outstanding, especially when he selflessly filled in on the wing for us today, instead of his usual second row. Coach Adam Faloon also made an appearance and showed some majestic manoeuvring through the Larne defence, leaving a trail of missed Larne tackles. Good to see the coach out enjoying himself. The old bull himself, Gary Dempsey rolled back the years as he came on in the second half and was rampaging around the pitch like a player literally half his age or a 28 year old man.

The game ended with an unfortunate injury to Ross Copeland and we hope for a swift recovery. All in all a great start to the season for the 3rd XV with a lot of players dusting off the cobwebs in their first game. New team manager David Armstrong deserves a shout out too, for his first game in charge of banding together a mighty bunch of warriors. Lots of positives today and the 3rds are up and running. Next up in a fortnight it is local North Down Derby against Bangor.