Cooke will have spent most of the weekend wondering how they spurned a 12 – 0 lead to lose this game against Ballyclare 12 – 17. Maybe it was the thought of doing their cohabitees, Instonians, a favour; these marriages of convenience can have their rocky spells as well you know.  😆  😆  😆

Cooke took their 12 – 0 lead into the break thanks to two tries and a conversion from the multi talented Alex Gourley with Philip Cartmill getting an assist on each of the tries.

The home side suffered a few injuries in the second half which seemed to allow Ballyclare to work their way back into the match. Ryan Tweed claimed their first try off the back of a maul. Robbie Reid stepped up for the conversion and within minutes Reid was at it again as he knocked over a conversion to take the score to 12 – 10.

And it was Reid that wrapped up the game for the visitors after a fortunate bounce from a kick ahead by Gary Clotworthy allowed Reid to take the ball at pace and run it in before stepping up to knock over the conversion.

Cooke had their chances to take the game with a disallowed try and an interception called back but it wasn’t to be.

The result sees Ballyclare a point behind Instonians at the top of the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Division 1 with the chasing pack a further 17 points behind.

GALLERY BELOW

Photo credit – Ian Humes Photography