In this hotly contested match in the opening round of the Rosie Stewart Ulster (Senior) Cup we were give a real battle on the outskirts of the City Walls.
There was a high level of competition presented from both sides with AIL Division 1 Cooke taking on the underdogs Division 2 City Of Derry. The resulting score was not a high one by any means resulting in a victory for Derry of 8 points to 7 at the final whistle.
Cooke put in a heart pounding performance in memory of their ex-team mate Rosie, but unfortunately lost out in the silverware this year. But no doubt as a Derry girl Rosie would be proud to see the home city club take the victory in the spirit of sportsmanship within a game that she had an unyielding passion for.

The first half was dominated by Cooke possession and territory and City of Derry put their training into practice preventing a score.
The play makers of the day where Derry’s visiting number 9 and number 7 which eventually led to a score in the corner resulting in a 5 – 0 lead to Derry. A penalty to Derry led to a 8-0 lead courtesy of a Rachel Lennox.

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After the restart, however, Cooke put the pressure on and were unlucky not to succeed in a drop goal attempt by ex-Irish International Grace Davitt. Charges up field by current Ulster players Lucy Fagan and again Grace Davitt where brought down eventually by the Derry girls.

Cooke’s unrelenting pressure was rewarded by a try scored by Lucy Fagan who with a lovely show and go stepped 3 Derry players to slot down just beside the posts with the conversion tapped over by Davitt.
Unfortunately today was not Cooke’s day, and Derry won with a final score of 8-7, but with the heart and passion taken into the game by both sides, Rosie would have been proud of each and every one of her girls playing a clean and skilled game of rugby against their opposition.