We ended up at Shaws Bridge for the second week running due to a late Covid cancellation but having got there I’m pleased to report that the Cooke and Academy players have realised that you have to run at towards the camera when you are going to score if you want to get those pictures that’ll keep your Instagram on point!

For the second week running Academy started the game strongly, forcing play deep into the Cooke half but a deft off load by a Cooke front rower sent Captain Kyle Mitchell clear, from 80 yards out, for the opening score, converted by Andy Hanna.

Academy continued to apply pressure but, as with last week against Inst, they struggled to turn territory into points and a second break out by Cooke ended with Toby Mannus stretching for the line to give Cooke a 12 – 0 lead in the first quarter.

The visitors all enveloping game did yield a penalty try in the second quarter, after an Academy player was blocked as he chased down a grubber, and the teams changed ends with Cooke defending a 12- 7 lead.

Two tries in six minutes from Cooke’s Ben Gibson settled the game as the home side stretched the tiring Academy defence but the visitors kept battling to the end and, after a couple of close calls, Chris Nash battled his way to the line for a score with the last play of the game.

Final score: Cooke 22 Academy 12.

Gallery Below