Rugby: McCambley Cup victory for Cookstown

As in the first round, Cookstown faced Belfast opposition – this time Harlequins were the side put to the sword when they were completely outplayed and were on the end of a heavy defeat.

Coosktown were fast out of the traps and following a number of penalties in the Harelquins 22, they finally elected to go for the posts which Paul O’Neill converted for a 3-0 lead.

The first try wasn’t long in coming and Tomas Mauricas was the man to get it, breaking through several tackles to score under the posts.

The Cookstown pack soon showed their muscle with a push over try from a line out with Owen Mallon the man to get the touch down.

Andy Reid was next on the score sheet following a well worked move with Ciaran Currie for a 22-0 lead.

Cookstown continued to dominate and Kyle Campton was on hand to finish off a powerful maul from the Cookstown pack.

Belfast Harlequins could only reply with a penalty in the final play of the first half.

There was no let-up in the 2nd half and Cookstown were determined to build on a solid opening half.

Stephen Rea, was the man to get the score board going again with a great finish from 2 yards out.

Andy Reid got his second, picking a great line through the Harlequins defence and Mickey McKeown finished off a fantastic backs move straight off the training paddock. Further tries came from Stephen McKenna following great work by Tomas Mauricas and a first try for the club for Marty O’Neill having collected a cross field kick from Ciaran Currie.

The final whistle sounded soon after much to the relief of Harlequins.

Director of Rugby Liam Currie commented after the game: “The game tested Coosktown’s discipline, in terms of lowering the penalty count which had been getting out of hand in recent games, and keeping to our game plan and management when there were opportunities to showboat. There is still plenty to work on before the next round but the league fixtures will give us the opportunity to do so.”