Grosvenor arrived at Cooke RFC with a pack featuring 6 back row forwards. This was due to player unavailability rather than desire . The signs were ominous in the opening 10 minutes when the heavy home pack exerted intense pressure on the Grosvenor scrum. This dominance led to numerous penalties. This and the early loss of No.8 Matthew Cahoon through injury, only exacerbated an already difficult situation. The pressure resulted eventually in a try for Cooke, which went unconverted. 5-0 to Cooke. Grosvenor defended stoutly and had a few breakouts but from one of these, an errant pass was intercepted and the Cooke winger ran in from 65 metres to double the lead to 10-0. just coming up to half time. The away support wondered how their team had valiantly kept the score down to only 10 points. Certainly the Grosvenor defence held out and the profligacy of the opposition reduced their scoring opportunities.
2 yellow cards were awarded against Grosvenor in the closing minutes of the half and the away team looked down the barrel going into the second half. However, the 13 men showed exceptional character and resolve, to take the game to the opposition and from a series of drives, prop James Bowman scored a try which Neil Adams converted. 10-7 to Cooke. Grosvenor were a totally different team in the second half and exerted severe pressure on the Cooke XV. Forward drives were held up short and a chance of a victory, which looked impossible in the first half, suddenly seemed a possibility. However, a flowing Cooke back move resulted in their third try to extend their lead to 15-7. A Grosvenor penalty looked as if it would up afford the away team a much deserved defensive losing bonus point, but the ball fell agonisingly under the crossbar. A further injury, to fly half Tim Emerson, disrupted Grosvenor, but neither side added to their tally. Another loss to Grosvenor, but a very spirited second half performance should encourage coaches, players and supporters. The second half effort was epitomised by the performance of the Grosvenor captain, Andrew Kelly who was outstanding and clearly gets the vote for MOM. Upwards and onwards.
IG