Cooke had a break in their Qualifying One campaign and travelled to Ballynahinch for a
tightly contested match in the Conference League.
The game commenced at a lively pace with the visiting pack demonstrating their intentions
from the outset. Surging drives from prop Hunter and flanker McMurray brought play into
the ‘hinch 22 and when the defenders infringed at a ruck out-half Murphy opened the score
sheet for Cooke with a penalty after 6 minutes. Murphy was just short with a long-range
penalty 15 minutes later as solid defence from both sides prevented any territorial advantage.
With 30 minutes played Cooke’s mobile lock Quigley left the field with an ankle injury.
Confusion followed when the Cooke management were informed that replacements were not
permitted in conference league games. The substitutes who had travelled stood redundant on
the touchline. Being a player down did not diminish the confidence of the Cooke pack and
when awarded a penalty close to the ‘hinch posts Murphy was asked to kick for the corner.
A ‘textbook’ catch and drive allowed Hunter to touch down for a try that Murphy converted.
Cooke continued on the offensive for the remainder of the half which saw a yellow card
for ‘hinch scrum half Cairns for preventing a quick penalty. When the half time whistle blew
the scored remained
Ballynahinch II 0 : Cooke 10
The second half witnessed an aggressive start by the ‘hinch’ eight. An impressive rolling
maul was driven over the Cooke line for Taylor to touch down and out-half Coen to convert.
Cooke was awarded a penalty shortly afterwards when centre McClaughlin was tackled after
chipping ahead allowing Murphy to edge the Belfast side further ahead. However, the extra
man advantage to Ballynahinch was becoming evident. When ‘hinch won a lineout in the
Cooke 22 another rolling maul pushed the visitors back allowing scrum half Cairns to take the
ball over. Coen’s conversion gave the home side a one-point advantage.
Further drama arose when Cooke hooker O’Hanlon received a red card for over enthusiastic
use of his boot to release the ball from a ruck. With 13 Cooke players on the pitch and a front
row replacement not permitted, scrums thereafter were deemed uncontested. Ironically, this
worked to Cooke’s advantage and when the ‘hinch backs were caught offside at a Cooke
scrum, Murphy’s penalty restored the lead for the Belfast side. With less than 10 minutes of
play remaining the depleted Cooke forwards controlled play superbly with an energy sapping
series of picking and driving. Denied possession, the talented ‘hinch back-line could only
watch in frustration as Cooke retained the ball until the final whistle.
This was an extremely important victory for the section one contenders ahead of showdowns
with Portadown, Donaghadee and Clogher Valley in the next 3 weeks.
Final score Ballynahinch II 14 : Cooke 16
