Lawton stars as Ards toil in Dublin

Rugby AIB Cup

Lansdowne 28 : 19 Ards

Roy Lawton reports

Ards travelled south to the RDS Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, the home of Leinster Rugby; where they were hosted by AIL Division 2 side Lansdowne, in the first round of the AIB Cup.

The Ards ranks were further bolstered this week by the return of Michael Lawton from Inter-provincial U20s duties, David Armstrong, back from injury and Michael McMenamin and Allen Bloxhams promotion into the senior squad. Ards also unveiled their new international signing, Jaydon Hill.

With barely 2 minutes on the clock, the hosts got the first points on the board after some scrappy defence by Ards resulted in a penalty just inside their 22.

After sustained pressure by the visiting forwards, Ards got their own account up and running when the hosts conceded a penalty just outside their own 22. This was converted by Michael Lawton. Ten minutes later the hosts landed another penalty and on 33 minutes scored a converted try, adding a further try before the interval.

In the second half, teenager Michael Lawton scred a fine try which he converted. This left Ards just four points in arrears, but a turnover ball late in the match gave Lansdowne victory.