Cooke ran out comfortable winners against Malone in the rearranged All Ireland Cup Round One match on Wednesday evening at Gibson Park.

I had predicted, and indeed hoped for, a closer score but the moving of the fixture probably hit Malone harder than Cooke and the Cooke team decided to give most of their first team a hit out ahead of the resumption of the All Ireland League this weekend.

In the end Cooke scored nine tries with Jemma Jackson converting six.

Helen McGhee got the ball rolling with an early brace before Eliza Downey took over for a brace of her own. Amy Graham darted over before the break to give Cooke a 31 – 0 lead as the teams changed ends.

Graham kept the scoring symmetry going by claiming her second before Ilse Van Staden barged over for two, after three attempts!

Downey spoilt the symmetry at the end of the game, claiming her hat trick try with the final play. Jackson converted giving a final score of Malone 0 Cooke 57.

It was difficult conditions for the camera with the game played under floodlights and a heavy mist. Pictures aren’t great and they are a touch grainy but you’ll get a feel for the action.

Gallery below

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