[pullquote]Vicky Irwin reports from Shawsbridge[/pullquote]

Cooke Women strengthened their grip on third place in the Women’s AIL with a convincing 40 – 24 win against Galwegians Women on Sunday afternoon at Shawsbridge.

Cooke started off well, with strong defence and a threatening attack and they got points on the board early in the match with a penalty by Jemma Jackson.

Shortly after, a series of phases saw Cooke rewarded with a try out wide from Brittany Hogan, following some excellent interplay between backs and forwards.

Galweigans came back with a try which only increased Cooke’s determination. The Belfast outfit’s second try coming minutes later, again from Hogan, after a fantastic break and some excellent individual work. However, Cooke struggled to break clear with Galweigans replying with their second try.

The last try of the half came from Cooke’s Ilse Van Staden, after impressive phase play with good support. Jackson converted to give Cooke a 20 – 10 lead at the break.

In the second half, Cooke took their foot off the pedal but were lucky to get a kickable penalty, which Jackson slotted.

Stuck in their own 22, a turn over and inspirational interplay between Helen McGhee, Vicky Irwin, Beth Cregan and Emma Jordan led to a super team try, grounded by McGhee.

Cooke followed this up with their fifty try this time from Jordan on the wing. Galweigans replied with a try after several pick-and-go’s by their strong carrying forwards.

The home side wrapped up the win after Amy Davis pinned her ears back in the 22 and sprinted clear for a try under the posts which Jackson converted. However, Galweigans bagged the last try of the match, again after a sustained effort from their pack.

Final score: Cooke 40 – 24 Galweigans.

Cooke captain Beth Cregan (on her birthday) was pleased with the win telling, our reporter, Vicky Irwin:[su_quote]

We played for the badge on the front, not for the number on the back, and I think we can all be proud of our performance today, despite taking the foot off the gas towards the end.[/su_quote]

In the other matches in Round 6 of the Women’s All Ireland League there were big wins for UL Bohemian, Railway Union and Blackrock.

Despite The FRU predicting otherwise, or perhaps because of it, Bohemian’s kept their grip on top spot with an impressive 26 – 0 win against Old Belvedere, the Dublin aristocrats not able to produce their recent form outside the confines of D4. It’s a big win for our favourite Limerick ladies who were quick to let us know the result 🙂

Our adopted side Railway Union, who have signed yet another Ulster starlet in Claire Boles, kept the pressure on Bohs with a convincing, if scrappy, 5 – 34 win in deepest Cork against Highfield with the Dublin upstarts scoring six tries in the process. They continue to trail UL Bohemian by a point at the top of the league.

Blackrock, the other Dublin side, finally halted their dramatic slide down the table with a 20 – 40 win against, our friends in Offaly, Tullamore. Blackrock move up to fifth by virtue of the win and Tullamore gained a try bonus point from the game.

Pictures below from Cooke v Galwegians.

Picture credit – Ian Humes Photography