Cooke Women RFC delivered a resounding 76 – 12 win against Queen’s University in the Ulster Senior Women’s Final to claim the Rosie Stewart Bowl for another season. 

While Queen’s were understrength, I don’t think there are many sides that would have stood up against the clinical and driven Cooke team who have shown a dramatic improvement this season under the guidance of coach Grace Davitt. 

Cooke scored a total of twelve tries with Eliza Downey (5), Ilse Van Staden (4), Beth Cregan, Claire Johnston and Teah Maguire all crossing. Hannah Kilgore chipped in with eight conversions. 

Despite trailing 43 – 0 at the break Queen’s showed remarkable resolve to stage a Jemma Jackson inspired fightback in the second half with Jackson getting the ball rolling with a drop kick and a try mid way through the second half. Somewhat fittingly Colette Broome completed the try scoring in her last game for the students with a searing break at centre!

Jackson added the conversion to give a final score of Cooke 76 Queens 15. 

Images courtesy of Ian Humes Photography and John McMurtry.

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