UUC pose no threat to rejuvinated Cooke
UUC posed little threat to a resurgent Cooke side who claimed six tries and their first winning bonus point of the season.
The action in the first 10 minutes was largely in the students 22 but enthusiastic defence kept Cooke at bay. With less than 15 minutes played the home pack marched some 20 metres with a maul before releasing the ball to out-half Finlay. The talented number 10 stepped inside the students defence to touch down beside the posts giving Jarvis a simple conversion. Jarvis extended Cooke’s lead with a penalty 2 minutes later when UUC were guilty of a late tackle. With all the play in Cooke hands, centre McMurray was next to get his name on the score-sheet having weaved his way to the line from outside the 22. Jarvis’ conversion extended Cooke’s lead to 17 points with less than 20 minutes played.
UUC out-half Baillie claimed 3 points with a well taken penalty from the 10 metre line when Cooke failed to roll away from a tackle but the students were soon under the cosh again when Finlay kicked a penalty to the corner. When flanker Cochrane was repelled in a line-out move which succeeded against Coleraine last week, lively hooker Drysdale was on hand to cross the line for an unconverted try.
With half time beckoning, loss of concentration by the home side was punished by UUC who sent full-back Milligan racing over for a try which winger Hall converted, bring the score at the break to Cooke 22 : UUC 8
The second half witnessed a casual approach by the home team who conceded several penalties. Referee, Richard Kerr, eventually lost patience and sent Cooke No 8 Mitchell for a spell on the touchline for an infringement at a ruck. The home side then weathered a series of attacks from the committed students but Cooke’s defence remained resolute. With the game resulting in stalemate for some 25 minutes of the second half, home supporters were becoming anxious at the lack of a bonus point producing 4th try.
Although leaving things late the side did not disappoint. Cooke claimed the ball from broken play close to half way before spreading play wide to winger McMaster who outpaced the defenders to the corner. Jarvis was off target with the conversion.
The bonus point secured, the home pack seemed to up its work rate. With close support being offered to their backs it was the Cooke forwards who added tries in the final ten minutes. Lock Quigley was in support to finish off a good phase of exchanges between forwards and backs and tireless prop McCullough got a just reward with a try in the corner in the dying minutes of the game. Elliott converted one from two bringing the final score line to Cooke 39 : UUC 8
Presidents Man of the Match DANIEL DRYSDALE
