Cooke 3's take the spoils at the Cottonmount

It was a miserable wet day for the smattering of spectators but the gusting wind was cross pitch giving neither side any major advantage.

Ophir, supported by Biffa and MCW Properties, dominated the opening 10 minutes but failed to take advantage, particularly from a good line out position close to the Cooke line. The ball was not thrown the required 5 metres and Cooke were able to clear the danger. The visitors gained momentum from that escape and a good chip ahead just rolled over the dead ball line before it was grounded. Shortly after, a knock on spoiled what looked like a certain score for Cooke and that set the pattern for most of the first half. While Cooke maintained good territorial advantage and possession, errors crept in on both sides and that, together with some superb tackling by Ophir out half, Jamie Mawhinney, was all that kept the visitors at bay. But then on the half hour, two weak tackles on the Ophir wing allowed the Cooke right wing to wriggle through and touch down in the corner. The conversion was brilliant and at the break Cooke led 7 - 0.

The second half belonged to Cooke. Ophir started well, getting a 5 metre scrum after a great break by prop Gavin Robinson. But it came to nothing and to add to Ophir's woes, Number 8 John Wilson was yellow carded and a minute later Gavin Robinson followed him into the sin bin for a similar offside offence. Down to 13 men, a Cooke breakthrough was inevitable and it took only 2 minutes for them to charge down the field and score under the posts. The visitors added another try before Ophir got back to full strength but the 21 point deficit was a mountain to climb. Gradually, Cooke increased the pressure and ran in 4 more tries past the tired and crumbling Ophir defence. But at least the Cottonmount men had the final say in the match, hooker Johnny McKinney finishing off a good drive by the Ophir pack. It was only a consolation try - the final score was Ophir 7, Cooke 45.