On a dank, driech Friday evening Queens met near neighbours, Cooke, in a friendly, at The Dub, Upper Malone. A driving cross wind, coupled with rain, which only got heavier during the evening, made for challenging handling conditions. We managed the first half, before the gathering gloom and the swirling wind, which blew the rain into the front element of the lens, made photography impossible.
A mighty Cooke shove, in a scrum, followed by quickly recycled ruck ball, created space for James Brennan to dart over for an opening try, after 2 minutes. Andrew McMurray’s conversion put Cooke 7-0 up. Worse was to follow for Queens. McMurray’s try and conversion on 8 minutes put Cooke out to 14-0.
With defences on top, the game became a slugfest in midfield, dominated by knock ons and penalties conceded, as teams came to terms with the new high tackle definition.
Queens rallied and from a series of forward drives Harry McMeekin crashed over, beside the posts. Angus Christie’s conversion pulled Queens back to 7-14 after 20 minutes.
Alexander Clarke’s try after 36 minutes, following a series of pick and drives, moved Queens back to 12-14.
Cooke responded, when Brennan went over out on the left to give Cooke a 19-12 halftime lead.
Neither team could impose themselves on a 2nd half dominated by scrums and penalties, which only got worse, as weather conditions deteriorated. Brennan grabbed his hat trick try as time ran out to give Cooke a 24-12 victory.
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