New Year stroll for Cookstown RFC
Cookstown 67 – Belfast Harlequins 4s 3
Cookstown moved into the next round of the McCambley Cup with a comprehensive victory on Saturday. The side showed no ill effects from the Christmas and New Year period and the drink ban imposed by the Director of Rugby over the holidays ensured that the lads were in good shape for the 2nd round match. As in the first round, Cookstown faced Belfast opposition – this time Harlequins were the side put to the sword when they were completely outplayed and were on the end of a heavy defeat.
Coosktown were fast out of the traps and following a number of penalties in the Harelquins 22, they finally elected to go for the posts which Paul O’Neill converted for a 3-0 lead. The first try wasn’t long in coming and Tomas Mauricas was the man to get it, breaking through several tackles to score under the posts. This was converted for a 10-0 lead. The Cookstown pack soon showed their muscle with a push over try from a line out with Owen Mallon the man to get the touch down. Andy Reid was next on the score sheet following a well worked move with Ciaran Currie for a 22-0 lead. Cookstown continued to dominate and in similar fashion to the Mallon try, Kyle Campton was on hand to finish off a powerful maul from the Cookstown pack. Belfast Harlequins could only reply with a penalty in the final play of the first half but knew that they were facing an uphill battle in the 2nd half to keep their McCambley Cup hopes alive.
Half Time Score – Cookstown 29 – Belfast Harlequins 4s 3
There was no let-up in the 2nd half and Cookstown were determined to build on a solid opening half. Cookstowns version of Dylan Hartley, Stephen Rea, was the man to get the score board going again with a great finish from 2 yards out which also meant the front row all scored tries – a rare and superb feat. Andy Reid got his second, picking a great line through the Harlequins defence and Mickey McKeown finished off a fantastic backs move straight off the training paddock. Belfast Harlequins changed tactics and tried to keep the ball in close quarters rather than kick it away but good defence from Cookstown ensured that the Belfast men rarely left their half. Further tries came from Stephen McKenna following great work by Tomas Mauricas and a first try for the club for Marty O’Neill having collected a cross field kick from Ciaran Currie. The final whistle sounded soon after much to the relief of Harlequins.
Full Time Score – Cookstown 67 – Belfast Harlequins 4s 3
Director of Rugby Liam Currie commented after the game, ‘The game tested Coosktown’s discipline, in terms of lowering the penalty count which had been getting out of hand in recent games, and keeping to our game plan and management when there were opportunities to showboat. There is still plenty to work on before the next round but the league fixtures will give us the opportunity to do so.’
Cookstown will now face a third Belfast team in the McCambley Cup quarter final in the shape of Malone 5s. This match will take place on Saturday 31st January. The next league game is scheduled to take place on Saturday 10th January at home to Enniskillen.
