We travelled down to Dublin on Sunday to follow our favourite ladies Cooke Women RFC as they took on Blackrock Women in Round 12 of the Women’s All Ireland League at Stradbrook. 

Unfortunately we brought a big old slice of bad luck for the Belfast team as they slipped to their ninth defeat of the season going down by 36 – 24 in a ten try thriller. 

Cooke went into an early lead through the hard working Lauren Maginnes, with Jemma Jackson landing an excellent conversion from out wide. 

Blackrock hit back almost immediately with scrum half Niamh Griffin dummying in midfield to sprint clear for a soft try which was followed by scores from Joanna Mahon and Carrie Anne Hanley. Michelle Claffey converted 2 out of 3 to give the home side a 19 – 7 lead. 

Cooke struck back before the break with Shirelle Wilson crossing out wide after good work on the wing by Frida Nilsson to keep the move alive. The try went unconverted and he teams turned round with ‘Rock leading 19 – 12.

The hosts wrapped up the game in the third quarter with Griffin grabbing her second before young Eimear Corri crossed for a brace of her own and at 36 – 12 Cooke looked dead a buried. 

However a spirited final quarter fightback saw the Belfast side grab tries through Wilson and veteran Eliza Downey to give Cooke a precious try bonus. 

Women’s AIL Week 12 Standings

TEAM	P	W	D	PD	BP	PTS
U.L. Bohemian	12	12	0	270	8	56
Railway Union RFC	12	7	0	135	9	37
Old Belvedere	12	8	0	125	5	37
Galwegians	12	6	0	-25	7	31
Highfield	12	5	0	-70	4	24
Blackrock	12	4	0	-64	6	22
Cooke	12	3	0	-115	5	17
St. Mary’s	12	3	0	-256	3	15