The first 20 minutes of the game was a scrappy affair with Academy competing vigorously at the breakdown and generally making life difficult for their south Belfast neighbours. It was not until some 25 minutes of play that Cooke flanker McVicker made a break in Academy territory. His ever-present pivot, Bennett was in close support and directed a long pass to winger Pyper who raced over in the corner. Murphy’s difficult conversion shaved the wrong side of the posts.
Cooke went immediately on the offensive from the restart. A great burst by centre McMurray was carried on by No 8, Colin Mitchell, who fed winger, Kyle Mitchell, to sprint under the posts. Murphy claimed the straightforward conversion. Academy came back enthusiastically and when Cooke were penalised for a front row offence in a scrum Academy fullback Cooper confidently kicked the penalty.
Try number three for Cooke came when fullback Cartmill ran the ball from deep in his own half. With the support of his back row the ball was kept alive the length of the pitch with centre McMurray making the yards before transferring to winger Mitchell to claim his second try of the afternoon. The young winger was instrumental in securing Cooke’s bonus point try just before half time. When stopped in the Academy 22 he returned the earlier favour by his namesake Colin Mitchell by releasing the mobile No 8 to take the ball on and score. Murphy’s conversion was short bringing the score at half time to Academy 3 Cooke 24
The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Academy determined to contain the expansive game pattern employed by Cooke. Try number five for the visitors did not materialise for some twenty minutes. Winger Mitchell fielded a clearance kick and counter attacked along the touchline. When running into trouble, he flicked a reverse pass to scrum half Bennett who had his half back partner, Murphy in close support to dive over in the corner. Murphy failed to convert his try.
Try six followed an earlier formula. Fullback Cartmill ran the ball out of defence and exchanged passes along the touchline with winger Pyper before finishing the try himself. Replacement out-half Elliott watched his difficult conversion attempt rebound off the post. The final try of the afternoon was probably the best. With Jewhurst taking his usual clean catch in a line out, the ball was passed through the hands of every Cooke back before reaching winger Pyper who had a clear path to the line for his second try of the day. Elliott’s conversion concluded the scoring at
Academy 3 Cooke 41
Presidents Man of the Match KYLE MITCHELL
This was a great all round performance albeit against weak opponents. Unlike previous games, when the side relaxed after taking a comfortable lead, the effort continued for 80 minutes – and it paid off. Coach Ward is right when he demands effort and concentration must not stop until the final whistle.
Two away ‘five pointers’ in succession will not have gone unnoticed by opponents as we work towards the two matches which should determine the league – Donaghdee at home next week followed by the trip to Clogher Valley on 4 February.
Let’s get a big support out for both games
