Andrew Pollock was the hero for Cooke as his hat-trick of tries helped to secure a 29-22 win over Malone 2nds in the McCrea Cup final at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday night.
Pollock, who remarkably scored four tries in last year’s final as his side went down 26-24 to Queen’s University 2nds, was again prominent as Colin Atkinson’s men came out on top in a highly entertaining tie.
Fullback Alex Gourley was the other try scorer for Cooke and he also added nine points with the boot in an impressive performance.
Malone outside centre Nathan Brown contributed 17 points in a losing cause, including two tries, while replacement Simon Millar also touched down for the Cregagh Red Sox.
Brown had an opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute but his long range penalty attempt dropped short.
It was in fact Cooke that made the first impression on the scoreboard with a 10th minute try by Pollock. Neat play by Kyle Mitchell created space in midfield and quick hands by captain Phil Cartmill released his left wing, who produced a clinical finish. Gourley slotted the conversion.
Brown was successful with his second penalty effort to reduce the deficit to 7-3 midway through the first half.
Pollock then pounced for his second try of the night just after the half hour mark. Outhalf Andrew Hanna dived on a loose ball in the middle of the park and the Shaw’s Bridge outfit made superb use of the turnover ball. Cartmill’s clever kick behind the Malone defence was hacked through by Pollock and the speedster touched down in-goal. Gourley’s conversion was off-target.
Malone hit back on the stroke of half time through Brown, who evaded a couple of tackles before scrambling over in the corner. His touchline conversion attempt was pushed to the left of the uprights.
Half time: Malone 2nds 8 Cooke 12
Cooke struck first in the second half when a solid scrum yielded a penalty and Gourley made no mistake from in front of the posts.
Cooke then extended their lead to 14 points with Pollock’s third score. The influential Cartmill made an incisive break and then fed Alan Gourley and the winger gave Pollock an easy run-in.
Malone were thrown a lifeline in the 69th minute when hooker Dave Cave made a powerful surge upfield and found Brown, who eased home under the posts from 40 metres out. He converted his own score to bring the score back to 22-15.
But Cooke made the game safe in the closing minutes as Alex Gourley’s elusive running saw him dart in under the posts. The same player converted for a 29-15 advantage.
There was still time for Simon Millar to come off the bench to score, but even with Brown’s conversion, Malone ended up on the wrong side of a 29-22 scoreline.
Pollock, who remarkably scored four tries in last year’s final as his side went down 26-24 to Queen’s University 2nds, was again prominent as Colin Atkinson’s men came out on top in a highly entertaining tie.
Fullback Alex Gourley was the other try scorer for Cooke and he also added nine points with the boot in an impressive performance.
Malone outside centre Nathan Brown contributed 17 points in a losing cause, including two tries, while replacement Simon Millar also touched down for the Cregagh Red Sox.
Brown had an opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute but his long range penalty attempt dropped short.
It was in fact Cooke that made the first impression on the scoreboard with a 10th minute try by Pollock. Neat play by Kyle Mitchell created space in midfield and quick hands by captain Phil Cartmill released his left wing, who produced a clinical finish. Gourley slotted the conversion.
Brown was successful with his second penalty effort to reduce the deficit to 7-3 midway through the first half.
Pollock then pounced for his second try of the night just after the half hour mark. Outhalf Andrew Hanna dived on a loose ball in the middle of the park and the Shaw’s Bridge outfit made superb use of the turnover ball. Cartmill’s clever kick behind the Malone defence was hacked through by Pollock and the speedster touched down in-goal. Gourley’s conversion was off-target.
Malone hit back on the stroke of half time through Brown, who evaded a couple of tackles before scrambling over in the corner. His touchline conversion attempt was pushed to the left of the uprights.
Half time: Malone 2nds 8 Cooke 12
Cooke struck first in the second half when a solid scrum yielded a penalty and Gourley made no mistake from in front of the posts.
Cooke then extended their lead to 14 points with Pollock’s third score. The influential Cartmill made an incisive break and then fed Alan Gourley and the winger gave Pollock an easy run-in.
Malone were thrown a lifeline in the 69th minute when hooker Dave Cave made a powerful surge upfield and found Brown, who eased home under the posts from 40 metres out. He converted his own score to bring the score back to 22-15.
But Cooke made the game safe in the closing minutes as Alex Gourley’s elusive running saw him dart in under the posts. The same player converted for a 29-15 advantage.
There was still time for Simon Millar to come off the bench to score, but even with Brown’s conversion, Malone ended up on the wrong side of a 29-22 scoreline.