Ards retain All Ireland League status

Ards 44 : 11 Suttonians

Roy Lawton reports

Ards senior status in the North Down area has been secured for another season after their emphatic victory over Dublin side, Suttonians on Saturday.

Leading up to this game Ards senior status was still in doubt but what happened on the day was something that only dreams are made of with all the principals of play in evident as player after player went forward with possession, supported the ball carrier and continued with the attack resulting in 6 tries and a winning bonus point.

This was a fantastic whole team effort pushing Ards up one place to 11th spot in the league table and out of danger of relegation, with one game remaining. A much relieved coach, Cois Beukes was delighted with the coming of age of his young squad, who have just got better and better as the season has progressed.

Michael Lawton who improves with every game scored three tries bringing his points tally on the day up to a stunning 29.