COOKE RETAIN McCREA CUP

Cooke won the McCrea Cup for the 2nd successive year with a comfortable 35-3 victory over 2nd division team CIYMS. Cooke kicked off into a slight breeze and took the lead after only 2 minutes when Kelly gained possession in his own half and burst through a number of tackles before passing to Wever who put hooker Fraser over in the left corner. Kennedy missed the difficult conversion. (5-0)

Almost straight from the restart Cooke scored again when McCordick gathered and offloaded to Manning who found Beggs in support. The full back chipped over the defence, caught the ball on the bounce and touched down to the right of the posts. The conversion was missed. (10-0)

The game then settled with CI kicking long and Cooke counter attacking. The lead was extended on 28 minutes when CI fumbled the ball from a 5 metre scrum and Aiono took advantage to touch down. Kennedy could not add the extras. (15-0)

Three minutes later CI had their consolation score when McCombe kicked a penalty. (15-3) The same player missed a penalty a short time later to leave the score 15-3 at half time.

The match resumed after the half time entertainment from the Cooke and CI Mini Rugby teams. McCombe missed an early penalty and in the 49th minute Kennedy kicked a penalty for Cooke. (18-3)

The section 1 team sealed the win with 3 tries in a six minute period. The 1st followed some great inter passing between forwards and backs with Kelly crossing on the right side. (23-3) CI then lost possession on half way and Bunn sprinted down the line to score in the corner. (28-3) 2 minutes later Seawright broke and passed to Kelly who capped a fine performance with his 2nd try. Vaisagote added the conversion. (35-3)

With the game over as a contest Cooke relaxed and gave all the substitutes a deserved run out. CI did their best to grab a try but the Cooke defence held firm.

Altogether a good all round performance and hopefully we can look forward to defending the Junior Cup starting with a quarter final away to Clogher Valley on 5th April.