In the past couple of months, with this game, I’ve covered Cooke RFC twice, both games have been outstanding advertisements for Junior Rugby in Ulster.

On a cold grey Saturday afternoon, 3rd placed, Cooke met 1st placed, Ballyclare in a Championship One fixture at Shaw’s Bridge, in front of a very vocal crowd.

Cooke hit the straps quickly, not allowing Ballyclare to settle & took the lead when James Brennan was put in for a try, close to the posts after 9 minutes. Andrew McMurray’s conversion gave Cooke a 7 – 0 lead.

A McMurray penalty goal increased Cooke’s lead after 10 minutes.

Ballyclare hit back, with a vengeance. From a break Scott Morton scored under the posts and Mark Jackson converted, to bring Ballyclare back to 7-10.

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