Cooke defeat Clogher Valley
Cooke’s first league fixture of the club’s centenary season was an eagerly anticipated affair with many new faces on show against visitors Clogher Valley. The close rivalry between the sides has resulted in home wins over the past couple of seasons but it was the visitors who took the lead within 3 minutes when out-half Bothwell kicked a confident penalty from the Cooke 10 meter line.
Valley’s lead was however short-lived when full-back Karnevos broke through the defence before passing to winger Hassard who finished the try out wide. Murphy’s kick for goal was unsuccessful. Five minutes later Clogher had an opportunity to reduce arrears with a penalty when Cooke centre Liang was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. Bothwell’s penalty fell short of the posts.
Special Thanks To Graeme McFedries for the photo on this blog.
With almost 20 minutes played Cooke began to stamp authority on the game when centre Doherty intercepted and ran in under the posts. Murphy added the conversion but was wide of the mark from a penalty less than five minutes later. With the Cooke pack now establishing the upper hand, captain McCordick barged his way over following some good ‘pick and drive’ phases by his forwards. Murphy was again on target with a difficult touchline conversion.
The final five minutes of the half saw Cooke defending their own line but solid tackling amongst forwards and backs repelled the Clogher onslaught.
Half Time Cooke 19 Clogher Valley 3
Cooke started the second half in aggressive fashion. A penalty awarded to the home side deep in Valley territory was taken quickly by flanker McMurray who jinked over the line. Murphy added his third conversion. Mid way through the half Cooke reconfigured their back line when flanker McMurray moved into the centre to accommodate new player-coach Ward who came off the bench. Shortly afterwards, Cooke were again down to 14 men when lively flanker Cochrane was yellow-carded for an infringement at a ruck. Prop Seawright also found himself in the ‘sin bin’ ten minutes later for taking out a Clogher opponent at a line-out.
Clogher failed to take advantage of the extra man and squandered an opportunity to put pressure on the home side when a penalty kicked to the corner sailed over the dead ball line. With 5 minutes remaining Cooke No. 8 McVicker, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, took the ball over the line for his side’s 4th and bonus point try. Karnevos converted bringing the final tally to
Cooke 33 Clogher Valley 3
This was a well-deserved result against an unusually static Clogher Valley. The mobility of the Cooke forwards made a marked difference but ‘over enthusiasm’ must be tempered if the penalty count against the side is to be reduced. In the backs, scrum half Manning’s distribution showed pin-point accuracy while centre Liang’s defensive play denied the visiting back-line any opportunity. Seawright, Cochrane and McVicker deserve special mention amongst the Cooke 8.
