Cooke continue there winning start with another bonus point win.
A fine pitch and dry conditions promised a good game of rugby for this Qual League 1 fixture. The early exchanges favoured the home side and sustained pressure gave Coleraine the opening try after 15 mins. Andrews missed the con. but was successful with a penalty to give Coleraine an 8 point lead. The home no 10 used his formidable left boot to put pressure on the Cooke back three and it took Cooke 25 mins to threaten the Coleraine line. From a line out 2nd row Robinson crossed for a try ending a strong drive to the line. C’raine 8 Cooke 5. The Cooke capt. McMurray was carded for an infringement at a ruck close to the Cooke line and from the pen. C’raine opted to find touch. More pressure on the Cooke defence yielded a try on 30 mins this time converted by Andrews. C’raine 15 Cooke 5
At this stage C’raine had enjoyed territorial advantage and a lone mid field break by o/h McLaughlin in reply from Cooke but the pass went to ground. On 40 mins Cooke found an attacking position on the right and accurate passing released Cartmill just inside the C’raine half and the fullback’s pace and running line took him clean through the defence to the posts. The con by Pyper.
Halftime Score: C’raine 15 Cooke 12
Half time came with C’raine again putting pressure on the Cooke line.
From the restart Cooke increased the tempo and their first attack gave a second try to Cartmill. Con by Pyper. C’raine 15 Cooke 19
On 50 mins a pen. took Cooke into C’raine territory and good ball
recycling and support play by the pack resulted in hooker Frazer getting the try. con. by Pyper. C’raine 15 Cooke 26
The Cooke pack now had control and Pyper took advantage to drop a goal on 55 mins. C’raine 15 Cooke 29
A penalty brought Cooke back into the home ” 22 ” and the C’raine defence worked hard to repel the Cooke attacks until good ball and quick transfer put o/h McLaughlin in for the try. con. by Pyper. C’raine 15 Cooke 36
C’raine continued to compete prompted by their busy scrum half and back row. Cooke responded with a pick up from the base of a scrum by no.8 Mitchell and a strong drive into the C’raine defence was stopped only by a fine covering tackle just short of the line.
The home side encouraged by the large support attempted to run from their own half but tackle and turnover to Cooke led to a try and con. by centre Pyper. C’raine 15 Cooke 43.
C’raine persisted with their running game and were rewarded with a try . con by Andrews. C’raine 22 Cooke 43 A scrappy final few minutes required the issue of yellow cards but this did not reflect the spirit in which the game had been played.
Final score Coleraine 22 Cooke 43
P McCullough
T Fraser
A Seawright
D Dawson
S Robinson
A Quigley
D Cochrane
C Mitchell
P Bennett
J McLaughlin
Y Yassir
K Pyper
J McMurray
P Docherty
P Cartmill
Subs
K Armstrong
S McVicker
