The Friday evening was spent at the UK’s largest water park, ‘Wet N Wild’ in North Shields, where all the players were ensured of a good wash. A big breakfast down at the Quayside set the squad up for a busy day, and after a tour around St James’ Park, the Ards’ lads arrived at Kingston Park, home of the Newcastle Falcons.The squad was given an guided tour of all the facilities and paid a visit to the souvenir shop before making the short trip over to their hosts Gosforth RFC.

Gosforth RFC U16s  25 - 7  Ards RFC U16s

The match between Ards and Gosforth was a big challenge for the Ulster lads; not only to play the impressive English side, but also to experience playing Rugby on an artificial rubber pitch used for training by the Falcons. The home team started well, keeping Ards camped in their half and getting in for the opening try in the first quarter. The Ards forwards began to impose their presence on the game second row, with Garth Brown leading by example with a line out steal and a string of leg pumping runs deep into the Gosforth half. A first penalty chance for Ards Fly Half, Richard Aston just missed the uprights, before Gosforth grabbed a second try from a well- worked move at a scrum on the Ards 22mt line. Ards lost their inspired pack leader, Iain Gray, who went over on his ankle on the rubber surface. A reshuffle in the front row saw Darren Kelly at Hooker and Conran Stewart at Prop, come under severe pressure, as the Gosforth pack exerted pressure on the Ards scrum. Ards found willing runners in the form of Ben Smith, Daniel Whitla and Cameron Jamison to gain yards around the fringes, with Robert Smith cutting a lively presence on his first start after injury. Ards were awarded a 5 metre penalty after Gosforth killed the ball and Ryan Kelly crashed over to score from a well-drilled penalty move. Aston converted to reduce the lead to 10-7.

Gosforth showed their quality to unleash the back-line to score a fine try before half-time. Aston had an opportunity to put Ards back into the game, but this was not a day for kickers, as the Tyneside wind drifted the ball away from the posts. Ards looked to play more for territory, but the home side kept it tight in the forwards and scored a fourth try from a pick and go at a ruck. The Gosforth Fly half, Chris Young, a trailer for North of England and the Falcons Academy, was a constant threat to the Ards defence. The tackling of Ryan Yates and Scott Stewart did well to keep him from orchestrating further points. Full-back, Stephen McKee stepped and wriggled his way deep into the opposition half and off loaded to Conran Stewart, who forced his way over the try line only to be pulled back for a double movement. Gosforth scored their best and final try from a free- flowing move along the back line to secure a deserved victory.

Both teams enjoyed the post match meal, and the Ards Man of the Match award was made to Garth Brown of Moville High School. Falcon’s tops were presented to Stephen McKee and Richard Aston for being selected for the Ulster U17 side. The tour party attended the Newcastle Falcons match against Castres Olympique in the European challenge cup, and despite their earlier defeat against the Gosforth boys, both teams enjoyed the atmosphere. The coaches enjoyed a drink in the Falcons club after the match with former Ulster and Ireland star, Jeremy Davidson, which rounded off a long, absorbing day.

Percy RFC U16s 27-7 Ards RFC U16s

It was an early start for the Ards squad as they packed up for the long trip home via Percy Park in North Shields. Injuries in the previous day’s match ruled out Prop Iain Gary and Hooker Conran Stewart, as well as a slight injury to Scrum Half Stuart Campbell in the warm up.

Percy Park, the county champions for the last two years, converted an early try as the vistors took time to settle. Percy Park used their strength in the forwards to rumble over for a second try. 10 points down was bad enough but this was made harder when second row Garth Brown and reserve hooker Conner Young were forced off.

Scott and Ryan Yates were creating havoc in midfield with determined tackling and clean breaks deep into the opposition half. Tempers boiled over as the Ards forwards took on the home team up front, and number 8 Ryan Kelly, a recent recruit from Gaelic games, traded punches with his opposite number and both players were yellow carded. Percy Park strongly finished the first half and added a third try to leave the score at half-time Percy Park 17- 0 Ards.

Captain Richard Aston requested a number of uncontested scrums for the second half, and with Ards down a prop and two hookers, scrum half Campbell came on and Darren Kelly moved to hooker.

Playing into a blizzard, as the North of England weather closed in, Ards began to raise their game. JJ Watson and Dale McDowell were causing problems out wide for Percy Park with their pace on the wings. Flanker, Ryan Mills and Daniel Whitla had the defence in all kinds of bother with strong mid-field driving. It was the last Ards man standing, as Ryan Kelly had to come off with a leg injury. With five players now on the side lines the 13 remaining Ards players dug deep to restrict the home to one more try. The last 15minutes saw Ards camped in the English 22, and a number of pick and go surges from Darren Kelly and Cameron Jamison kept Ards on the front foot. Scott Stewart made a clean break in mid-field cutting inside his marker but support was slow as he was held on the line.

Ards were not to be denied as centre Ryan Yates, who had a superb game in defence, forced his way though two tackles and followed his kick up to give Ards a converted try. It was too late to make much impact on the scoreboard, the Ards players deserve credit for pushing Percy Park to a deserved 22-7 victory. The weather beaten players made their way to the excellent clubhouse for a welcome shower. At the after match meal and presentations Ryan Mills was the Ards man of the match. Scott Stewart received the player of the tour for his outstanding performances over the two matches.

Ards U16s are very grateful to all who made this tour possible our Sponsors http://www.ianslimited.com/ and http://www.bagsofbounce.co.uk/, the staff and shoppers at Asda Bangor, where the boys did bag packing for the tour fund, of which £100 was donated to Marie Curie centre Belfast. Big thanks also to our bus driver Gary Aston as well as Ards U16s coaches Joe Kelly and Dalye Jones.