Cooke too strong for Academy
Cooke kicked off in this the first round of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup against recently promoted Academy.
Most of the play in the first 10 mins saw Cooke testing out the Academy defensive line and from a quick tap penalty 5mts out, McCordick rode through two tacklers to stretch out with a one arm touch down 5mts from the corner flag. The conversion by Karnelos drifted wide of the posts. (5-0)
Straight from the restart kick the ball was fielded by Cooke, moved right with McCordick breaking through several tackles to feed winger Bunn who side-stepped several attempted tackles to feed Karnelos who ran in to score a try which he also converted. (12-0)
16 mins & Academy had a chance to go on the score sheet with a penalty straight in front of the posts on the Cooke 10mts line but the kick went wide by the full back Cooper. He soon made amends however converting a penalty 5 mins later only this time from 3mts further out. (12-3)
Over 300 Picture Slideshow Of Cooke V Academy – CLICK HERE – Pictures Courtesy of Graeme McFedries
The next score came on 38mins with a break up the centre of the park by the Cooke forwards inter-passing to end up in the hands of McMurray who finished with a try which went unconverted. (17-3)
With only minutes to play before 40mins had elapsed, Academy fielded the re-start kick and passed the ball out the back line only to see Cooke no.10 Karnelos intercept on the half way line to run in and score under the posts. He also converted his own try. (24-6) On 42 mins with Cooke again attacking in the Academy half, Karnelos grubber kicked the ball though the advancing Academy back line only to be obstructed in attempting to follow up his kick. Penalty to Cooke 24mts out which Karnelos duly converted to leave the half time score at (27-6).
Academy kicked off the second half to see Cooke soon concede a penalty which was kicked to touch for a lineout. Good lineout play by Cooke saw them win the ball which was moved quickly to no.13 Laing who made a break of some 40/50 mts before being stopped but was able to offload to Full Back Kennedy in support who in turn made a typical jinky run to feed winger Bunn who unfortunately although over the goal line, dropped the ball as he swung one handed to touch it down. Cooke were reduced to fourteen men at this stage as having already brought on their two substitutes, Laing who fell awkwardly in the tackle, injured his shoulder and took no further part in the game.
The next 10 mins saw Academy turning on the pressure and on 15mins a 5mts defensive scrum to Cooke was wheeled for a turnover to Academy. The Academy no.8 McKerry, who had been prominent throughout the game, picked up at the base of the scrum & barged over the line to score. The conversion was kicked by no.15 Cooper. (27-13)
22mins and things were not going Academy’s way as although they won a Cooke lineout on the 22mts line, the ball went back for a clearance kick to touch but was charged down by Karnelos who followed up to pick up and score under the posts & then convert his own try. (34-13)
35 mins and following continued pressure by the fourteen man Cooke team, the ball went through eight phases of play by backs & then forwards to see second row Scott, pick up at the base of the ruck and barge over for a score which was converted by the Cooke no.10 (41-13)
Three mins away from the 40 & Cooke Hooker O’Hanlon was yellow carded for a foot trip which saw the home side reduced to thirteen players. This however was not evident as the ball soon passed through several sets of Cooke hands which should have resulted in a certain try but only for what can best be described as a ‘comedy of errors’ no try was achieved. Cooke however, were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly and went through three phases of play to see a touch down by no.8 McVicker. Kick coverted by Kaenelos to leave the final score at (48-13)
With the pack only fielding three regulars from the finishing pack of last season, this was a good all round performance with new faces O’Hanlon, McVicker, Andrews & Scott putting in good performances & it was good to see Dawson back were he belongs.
Man of the Match was awarded to newcomer second row, Alex Scott.
Over 300 Picture Slideshow Of Cooke V Academy – CLICK HERE – Pictures Courtesy of Graeme McFedries
