Academy recorded their first win in Championship 2 with a bonus point victory against Ards at Roughfort of Saturday afternoon.

Report and pictures by Nick Murray

Ards took an early lead in a scrappy first half with Jack Smith slotting over a penalty just after the half hour mark. Academy responded immediately with a try out wide by Jude Cowley giving the home side a 5 – 3 lead which the took into the break.

The teams swapped penalties at the start of the second half with Ard’s Smith replying to an earlier effort from Academy’s Michael Wilson before Academy stretch their lead once more with a try from Conor Bond and conversion from Cowley taking the score to 15 – 6

An injury sees a pause in play with Ards on the attack, however the visitors find the try line on resumption with Tom Arthur Donnan going over for an unconverted try but a monster penalty from Watson keeps the home side a converted try in front with the score now reading 18 – 11 in Academy’s favour.

A try from Chris Nash looked as though it had taken the game out of Ards reach, with Wilson adding the extras to take the score to 25 – 11 but a spirited response from Ards sees them grab a try through Ryan Uprichard out near the touchline, Smith just off with the conversion leaving the score at 25 – 16.

Ards push on for a losing bonus point in the last 10 but a deft chip forward sees Academy full-back Ross Bryans touch down to put the game to bed. Wilson adds the extras for an impressive 32 – 16 victory for Academy.

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