McCrea Cup semi-final victory
Thankfully following a morning of unceasing heavy rain it had stopped by kick off time however the affects of that rain could be seen on the surface of what was quite a bald pitch with large wet muddy areas; the prospects for an open game seemed low. Grosvenor made one change from the team which had beaten Enniskillen with Peter Davidson replacing Jamie McMullan at out-half. Jamie dropped to the bench where he was joined by Matthew Allen, Jeff Mealiff and a welcome come back from long term injury for Davy Egner. CLICK HERE for shots
Cooke kicked off with a light blustery wind at their backs and unfortunately a knock-on on at the very start of the match to give Cooke a scrummage in a good attacking position. Cooke won the scrum and following some dynamic driving into tackles they scored a try half way towards their left touchline. The conversion was missed and Grosvenor was 5 points down without really having touched the ball. On 5 minutes Grosvenor repeated the trick by knocking on a Cooke clearance kick, near the half way line and from the scrum Cooke kicked ahead with Chris Cahoon having to collect the ball and be driven into the in goal area. At the 5 metre scrum Grosvenor’s pack drove Cooke back to win a penalty and relieve the pressure. Until this point Grosvenor was very sluggish but gradually the players worked their way into the match and put the Cooke line under some pressure. On one occasion with an overlap developing the ball was grubbered into the in goal area allowing Cooke to touch down for a 22 drop out, a chance lost.
On 16 minutes Cooke ran the ball right from a scrum and looked like scoring, however Mark Cartmill got over the ball at a tackle and was awarded a penalty. From the ensuing line out Grosvenor’s pack showed a taste of what was to come with a driving maul which must have travelled a good 20 metres. From this the pack drove forward a few times which resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which Peter Davidson converted to take the score to 5-3. From the kick off Grosvenor pressed Cooke back but they counter attacked with a try scored after some weak tackling. This was converted leaving the Grosvenor supporters concerned Cooke was going to run away with this match.
With the wind strengthening Grosvenor took the match to Cooke but as Imogen Porter our physio observed, despite our forward supremacy we didn’t seem able to produce a decent opportunity. The pack drove Cooke back with some fantastic mauls but we lost possession through attempted forced passes and careless knock-ons. Close to breakdowns we also stood back a little bit allowing the dangerous looking Cooke backs to run at us which kept hearts in mouths. On 36 minutes things improved when Grosvenor had the throw into a line out 30 metres out which was well won by Peter Dawson. Paul Karayiannis raced through and drew the closing defence before giving a well-timed pass to Mark Cartmill who scored close to the left corner. Peter Davidson missed the difficult conversion.
Grosvenor’s confidence seemed to rise and a good period of play followed. Close to half time Grosvenor had a great opportunity to score with an overlap developing on the right hand side but the ball was moved too slowly and Chris Cahoon receiving the ball was tackled right on the line, another chance missed. The referee had been playing advantage and awarded a penalty for offside right in front of the posts which Peter Davidson chipped over to take the score to 12-11. Right on the blow Cooke scored another try in their right corner which took the score at half time to 17-11.
Coach Peter Lowry laid down the law at half time and a different Grosvenor team started the second half. On 6 minutes a beautifully timed inside pass from Paul Karayiannis put Matthew Cahoon through a gap from which Matthew did his usual rampaging run for the line only being stopped by desperate Cooke tackling. Cooke cleared the danger but was now on the back foot. Davy Egner replaced right wing Stephen Kirk.
On 7 minutes a great run through the middle by left wing Mark Atkinson resulted in chaos in the Cooke defence. Following some excellent handling, Peter Davidson scored in the right corner and, to the delight of the Grosvenor supporters he then converted it! 17-18; Grosvenor ahead.
On 15 minutes Cooke was awarded a penalty for offside right in front of the posts to take the score to 20-18. Matthew Allen came on to play blind side with Matthew Cahoon moving into the second row to replace James Bowman.
Shortly after this change a high box kick from Neil Adams was well chased by Davy Egner who forced the catcher into touch. Good line out possession was taken forward and following a half break by Ben Coard Grosvenor had an overlap on the left wing. Unfortunately the final pass flew straight into touch and the chance was gone. Grosvenor supporters were concerned that this missed chance could come back to haunt us but the team pressed on, driving Cooke back in the forwards. On 26 minutes Peter Davidson had a chance with quite a difficult penalty awarded for a high tackle but it flew just wide of the posts.
From the 22 Cooke moved up field. Following poor play in the Grosvenor midfield, Cooke regained possession with one of the forwards emerging out of the Grosvenor side of a maul to release one of his colleagues who scored close to the posts. 27-18; things not looking too good. Following the try Chris Cahoon offered some helpful advice to the referee who decided he didn’t need it and sent Chris to the bin. During the course of the play Davy Egner had taken a bang on the head (we think Sam Purdon bumped him while both made a tackle) and had to go off, replaced by Jamie McMullan.
With 15 minutes to go, down 9 points and with 14 men things did not look good for Grosvenor but someone forgot to tell the players. Grosvenor surged into the attack. Close to the Cooke line we looked like scoring when a Cooke player infringed and was yellow carded. The referee then awarded a penalty try when the Grosvenor pack took the Cooke scrummage apart. Peter Davidson converted the try to take the score to 27-25. Cooke supporters were starting to get jittery as Grosvenor piled forward.
With 4 minutes to go following a long kick into the Cooke half by Peter Davidson, Ben Coard made another great tackle. The ball broke loose and was kicked through by Mark Atkinson. Cooke was penalised for holding on in the tackle and a difficult but kickable penalty 15 metres in from the left touchline and 20 metres out was awarded. Skipper Mark Cartmill was considering whether to take the kick or opt for a scrum when he looked round to see Davidson on his back being treated for cramp. Mark opted for the scrum. The scrum was won and driven forward with the ball being moved left for Mark Atkinson to dive over in the left corner. The now recovered Peter Davidson missed the kick; score now 27-30. The last few minutes were hectic with Cooke hopeful of getting a kickable penalty to force extra time while Grosvenor threw themselves into tackles. There was at least 8 minutes of injury time played but eventually the referee awarded Grosvenor a penalty near the half way line and the game was over.
A great day at the office. All of the players deserve credit for this performance. In particular Paul Karayiannis had a great game and our pack once again “punched” way above their weight but man of the match was Ben Coard. Often left with up to three backs running at him Ben’s tackling and covering was something to behold. As Il Duce said. “it was like the early 1980s” when Grosvenor and Cooke knocked lumps out of each other in well fought matches played in good spirit.
