Action from the Junior Shield Final match between Ards and Randalstown on Saturday 27 December 2025. Photo: Bob Given. © FRU SPORTS 2025.

Junior Shield: Ards 37 Randalstown 17 Final

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On Saturday morning game one of a triple header, at Ravenhill, saw last year’s finalists, Championship Two side, Ards, face Randalstown from Championship One in the Junior Shield Final.

It might have been nerves, but Randalstown took time to settle. In the meantime, Ards took a 3-0 lead from a 7th minute Joel DePledge penalty goal.

Ethan Bell opened Ards try account

A try, on the right, by Ethan Bell, converted by DePledge moved Ards out to 10-0 on 10 minutes.

Ards pressure continued to pay dividends when Robbie Johnston got over, after 21 minutes. DePledge’s conversion had Ards leading 17-0.

Randalstown rallied wining good possession in the Ards half. A forward surge at a 5 metre scrum saw the Ards pack splinter and the referee awarded a penalty try to bring Randalstown back to 7-17 on 25 minutes.

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