Cooke crushed in a 5 try second half rampage by Ballynahinch IIs
Cooke v Ballynahinch IIs
The strength in depth of high-flying Ballynahinch was clearly evident against a mediocre Cooke side. It took only 7 minutes before the hard working Co Down team had created a 3 on 1 overlap sending winger Arneill over for a try which out-half McBrier converted. Cooke came back strongly but the ‘Hinch defence held firm. The Belfast side’s first chance to register points was squandered when the usually reliable Jarvis scuffed a penalty below the crossbar when the visitors were caught offside at a ruck. Undeterred, the home side maintained pressure and when centre Cartmill spotted a small gap, he breeched the ‘Hinch defence before linking with fellow centre McMurray who touched down close to the posts. The conversion by Jarvis levelled the score at 7 – 7.
With just over half an hour played Ballynahinch scored their second try. In a cruel mismatch with one of the Cooke locks, the silky running ‘Hinch 10 McBrier evaded the tackle before finding support from his No 8, Graham, who crashed over under the posts. McBrier converted the try he had created. Cooke recovered 3 points with another Jarvis penalty but it was ‘Hinch who finished the half in more dominant form and might have widened their lead but for the diligence of Cooke winger McMaster who bundled his opponent into touch at the corner flag. Half time score Cooke 10 Ballynahinch 14
The second half started disastrously for Cooke. Out-half Finlay broke through the ‘Hinch defence but his off load was snatched by an opposition prop who linked with scrum-half Cairns who sprinted half the pitch for a try which McBrier converted. The out-half added a further 3 points to the ‘Hinch tally with an easy penalty when the Cooke backs were caught off-side. Midway through the half ‘Hinch hooker Armstrong was in support of another offensive and showed considerable pace to finish off try number 4 for the visitors which McBrier converted.
With Cooke heads beginning to drop, the superior fitness of their opponents was obvious in the final quarter when the side ran in 3 further tries. Replacement winger Nicholson brushed off two tackles to score under the posts, centre Heatley claimed another and winger Arneill claimed his second of the afternoon in the dying minutes of the game. McBrier’s 2 conversions brought his personal contribution for the day to 15 points and a final score-line reading
Cooke 10 Ballynahinch IIs 50
Disappointment yet again for the team and for the Cooke support. The side went down to a very strong ‘Hinch IIs whose win was built on better fitness and better attitude. Both these shortcomings can be fixed!
