Cooke 1XV vs U.U.C 1XV, Sat 5th Oct 2013
A bonus point win, much needed to kick start the season
Cooke got the league campaign back on track with a home win over UCC.The match was played in perfect conditions for running rugby.Cooke attacked from the outset and took the lead after 5 minutes when Ashley Finlay scored with Alan Gourley adding the conversion.That was increased when Finlay added his 2nd try with the conversion being missed.UUC then began to get a foothold in the game and some aimless kicking gave them chances to counterattack.From one such attack they scored at the posts to leave a simple conversion.McCormick was forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury being replaced by Finlay who was making his debut.In the 5th minute of added time good hands by Atkinson and Docherty put Dewhurst over in the right corner.Gourley couldn’t add the extras.That left a half time lead of 17 7.
Three minutes into the 2nd half Gourley increased the lead with a straightforward penalty.UUC put together a period of possession which was rewarded by a try from their No 8 which was converted.Richie Finlay then retired through injury with Atkinson moving into the backline.The scoring was completed in the 66th minute when Alex Gourley touched down for the all important 4th try.His brother converted.Injuries to players on both sides caused lots of stoppages and the game petered out with no other real chances created.
A final score of 27 14 combined with results from other matches enabled Cooke to climb a couple of places up the league table.
