Cooke Defeated by League Leaders

A valiant effort by Cooke was not sufficient to prevent Portadown moving on to what is an inevitable league title in a 39-10 victory at Chambers Park. The score line is not a true reflection of the game with the home side scoring 21 points in the last 15 minutes. Despite being under pressure in the scrum and winning virtually no lineout ball the Cooke pack put in perhaps the best performance of the season in the loose and were unlucky to be behind at half time. Understandably they tired late in the match when individual errors cost dear.

The match started with Portadown establishing territorial advantage but with the away defence coping comfortably. With limited possession the Cooke backs attacked at every opportunity with centre Glock, who also stood out in defence, prominent. After a break from Wever a well timed pass sent winger Bunn clear to touch down in the left for the first try in the 11th minute. Vaisegote converted to give a 7 point lead. 5 minutes later Portadown were awarded a penalty which they took quickly catching the defence napping and Kelly crossed for the score. The conversion was missed. Tipuna also missed a straightforward penalty shortly afterwards. The game was an even contest for the next 15 minutes until 5 minutes before the interval when winger Jackson got possession on the right touchline and somehow escaped the clutches of the tacklers to chip over the cover and touch down in the corner. The kick was again missed to leave the score 10-7 to the league leaders at half time.

In the 46th minute the lead was extended when Tipuna finally found his kicking boots with a penalty from the 10 metre line. 4 minutes later poor tackling allowed Jackson a free run from half way to cross for his 2nd try. Tipuna was unable to convert. At 18- 7 the game was slipping away from Cooke but the lead was reduced when Vaisegote slotted a penalty in the 59th minute. It was vital that the away side scored next but after 66 minutes a mix up in defence allowed Douglas to pick up and touch down at the posts to clinch the bonus point. Tipuna added the 2 points. Douglas scored a similar try 7 minutes later which Tipuna again converted. With the game effectively over right wing Jackson completed his hat-trick when he sprinted untouched down the right touchline. The conversion gave the score-line a flattering appearance.

While the Cooke team will obviously be disappointed they can take heart from their performance against what is the strongest team in the league. A similar level of effort and skill will ensure that they will not be beaten again this season. It would certainly be a boost for all concerned if we could beat Armagh on Wednesday 30th and gain some revenge for the narrow defeats in the last few seasons.