League success continues to elude Firsts. A consolation losing bonus point is all to show from a closely contested game against Clogher Valley
Clogher Valley v Cooke
These two teams dominated Section One rugby last year but have not seen things go their way in this year’s highly competitive Qualifying league. With both teams sitting in unfamiliar territory of mid- table position after 5 games, a lot of pride was at stake at the Cran.
The game commenced at a furious pace with the Tyrone side playing with a strong breeze. It took only 3 minutes before centre Galbraith put the home side ahead when Cooke were penalised at a ruck. The Belfast side reacted immediately but failed to realise a scoring opportunity when industrious prop Seawright was stopped short of the line, allowing Valley to kick out of trouble. Galbraith was back in action after almost 20 minutes, using the elements to help carry over a well struck drop goal, extending the Valley lead to six points.
Again Cooke worked the ball down field and when awarded a penalty in what would have been within range for in-form kicker Jarvis, elected to kick for the corner. The tactic paid off with a controlled catch and drive carried over by lock Dawson. Jarvis maintained his impressive strike rate with the conversion from the touch line. The remainder of the half witnessed determined defence from both sides with the half time score-line unchanged at 7-6 to Cooke.
With the wind advantage after the turnaround Cooke supporters were expecting the side to put immediate pressure on Valley. However the Clogher pack had different ideas and seemed to close off all possession to an eager Cooke backline. Frustrated by their inability to secure the ball from an increasingly dominant Valley pack, Cooke were penalised at a ruck 12 minutes into the second half. Galbraith’s kick was off target but minutes later Cooke flanker McMurray was yellow carded for slowing down play at a ruck and this time Galbraith made no mistake, restoring a 2 point lead to the Tyrone side.
Valley made full use of their numerical superiority in the pack and set up a platform to spread the ball out wide where fullback Breen had come into the line and sprinted over in the corner. Galbraith’s conversion into the wind dropped short of the posts. With a seven point advantage the Valley pack tightened its grip on the game further. The strength and experience of home scrum half Bates ensured that the ball was retained by the Valley forwards for lengthy periods denying Cooke possession and removing any opportunities for the Belfast side to counter attack.
With just two tries scored in the game it could not be described as a pulsating match. The dominance of the Valley pack against a lack-lustre Cooke eight was enough to secure victory with the final score remaining Clogher Valley 14, Cooke 7.
Once again this game is another that Cooke could have won. The team was close to full strength but were subdued by an experienced Clogher pack who clearly knew how to retain possession. While Cochrane and McMurray worked industriously, the Cooke pack generally lacked determimnation, aggression or technique to counter ruck. The backs defended well but must share some blame for poor decision making when ball in hand. A home game next Saturday presents opportunity to make amends.
