Cooke Rugby Club v Donaghadee
Cooke do Dee-molition job to become joint league leaders.
The big showdown between top 4 contenders Cooke and Donaghadee was predicted to be a closely contested affair – how wrong the pundits were. For a side that normally relies on it’s talented back line to run in the tries, it was the Cooke pack who stole the show with a superb display of forward domination and a haul of six tries in wet and greasy conditions.
Cooke opened the scoring within five minutes. A line out in the ‘Dee’ 22 was secured and the Belfast side set out their intentions, driving their opponents backwards for No 8 Mitchell to carry the ball over. Murphy added the conversion. Within 10 minutes Cooke were again threatening the Donaghadee line when the big No. 8 picked up at the base of a ruck and again barged over for an unconverted try.
As expected, Donaghadee then seemed to settle and pushed play into the Cooke half. When the seasiders were awarded a penalty, winger Santos confirmed his reputation, placing his kick between the uprights. However, the margin to Cooke was restored almost immediately when Dee scrum half Lockhart interfered with play at the back of a Cooke ruck, and No. 10 Murphy drilled the penalty over from 30 meters.
The next period of play was a scrappy affair with handling errors from both sides due to the wet conditions. Murphy was wide with a penalty attempt when the Dee prevented release from a ruck as Cooke dominated affairs in the loose. Just before half time Dee were again penalised for killing the ball. Murphy kicked for the corner and the resultant line out brought about a repeat of try one, with a catch and drive for prop Seawright to ground the ball for his out-half to convert. The remaining scoring opportunity of the half fell to Dee winger Santos who, uncharacteristically, kicked a penalty wide of the posts leaving the half time score at Cooke 22 Donaghadee 3
Cooke commenced the second half in confident form. Taking play deep into Dee territory the forwards continued to control affairs and within 8 minutes second row Jewhurst powered his way over from a ruck on the opponents line to claim try 4 and the bonus point for Cooke. Murphy’s conversion attempt went wide.
Try five for the Belfast side came when fullback Cartmill weaved his way through the Dee defence before popping the ball to Mitchell who crashed over for his ‘hat trick’ which Murphy converted. The full-back’s good work was undermined minutes afterwards when he failed to field a high ball allowing Dee pivot Lockhart to collect the rebound and sprint over. Santos added the conversion for the visitors.
Cooke then found themselves guilty of easing up their effort which resulted in an unconverted try for the Dee tight-head. The home side went quickly back on the offensive and when Dee replacement Morrow was yellow carded for preventing release, Murphy kicked a further 3 points. With 5 minutes remaining Cooke completed affairs when Mitchell barged over from close to the line for his fourth try of the day. Murphy’s conversion competed the scoring at Cooke 44 Donaghadee 18
This was perhaps the most comprehensive display of forward domination produced by Cooke so far this season. Ironically, it was perhaps the formidable reputation of the visitor’s scrum that brought about the clinical and ruthless response witnessed on Saturday. An immense performance Cooke No 8 Colin Mitchell takes him to joint leader in the try scorer’s tally.
1ST XV Statistics.
President’s Man of the Match Colin Mitchell
EVENT: The annual “ Hurricane Cup “ golf match
Date: Sunday 6th November 2011
Time: 08:00
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The annual “ Hurricane Cup “ golf match against Coleraine RFC was played this year at the Portstewart G C Riverside Course.
A bright sunny day was welcomed by the two teams of 12 golfers for the 11:30 am tee time. The first Cooke pairing of Trevor Lamont and the highly talented Neil Valilley looked promising but were hit by an avalanche of points from the Coleraine RFC Coach Norman Blair and Cooke were one match down.
Next up David Elliott and Trevor Barton VP , both from the prestigious Belvoir GC could not find any trees to bounce the ball off and Cooke were two down.
Big hitting John McClune ( where did it go Ray? Sorry Amigo, I was lighting another cig ) and Ray Black got lost in a cloud of smoke . Cooke three down.
The combined efforts of Coleraine RFC ex Presidents Mike Giffin Brian Phillis and Frank Farrell plus their partners was enough to keep the Cup on the shores of the Bann for this year.
Thanks to our guest pairing from C’raine who helped out and gained a half .
The vastly experienced duo of Warnock Patterson and Mick English ( what’s the Spanish for I’m rich and single Mick ?) had their minds on their trip to the sun and sangria.
The final pairing of Geoff Lynd and Roy Johnston gained an early advantage but were beaten on the 18 th by Coleraine Pres Dennis McCrum and centre partner Ricky Ferguson who scored 24 pts over the back nine holes.
Game set and match Coleraine.
We joined our hosts for an after match meal in the lavish new clubhouse at Portstewart GC and Trevor Lamont after thanking Coleraine RFC for their hospitality conceded that golf might be fun but beating Coleraine at rugby was much better.
Coleraine RFC retained the “ Hurricane Cup “ after last year’s draw at Dunmurry GC and we look forward to hosting them in Belfast next year.
The Hurricane Cup was first played in the early 1980’s between the two clubs to help raise funds to support the Coleraine RFC player badly injured in the Foster Cup Final at Ravenhill. The efforts of Trevor Lamont and Mick English revived the fixture a number of years ago and it is now established as part of our sporting calendar.
Cooke Mini Rugby Festival 2012 (Mar 31 – Apr 1)
Initial details on this years 2 day festival!
This year the Cooke Mini Rugby festival will held over 2 days, Saturday 31 March and Sunday 1 April 2012.
Saturday March 31, 2012:
P2s, P3s and P4s will face off against sides from 5 other invited clubs including:
Coleraine
Ards
Instonians
Bangor
CIYMS
Sunday April 1st, 2012
P5s, 6s and 7s will compete against 2 Scottish touring sides as well as 4 invited local clubs as follows:
Stirling County RFC
Ayr RFC – P7s
Intonians RFC
Ards RFC
Bangor RFC
CIYMS
More details to follow as they are finalised. Please check the Cooke RFC website regularly! CLICK HERE
