30th January 2008

Armagh's victory over Cooke on Wednesday evening at Shaw’s Bridge was a complete contrast to the 8 try hammerings they have recently been handing out recently. Each team scored a single try and only Johnny Steenson's ever-reliable boot saved Armagh when he added two penalties to the score-line. With a very strong wind behind them in the first half Armagh needed to run up as many points as possible before the turn round. They did reach 0-11 but when Cooke hit back with a try in the corner just before the break things did not look good for the visitors.

However, Armagh defended very well in the second half and desperately needed to in the dying minutes as Cooke hammered away at the line. A converted try would have clinched the game but Cooke had to be content with the single bonus point as the second half proved to be scoreless for both sides. This resulted in Armagh achieving their second narrow victory over Cooke this season.

Armagh had to contend with both yellow cards and injuries, but the strong diagonal, biting breeze was the principal factor in the night’s proceedings.

Armagh attacked very well, both in the forwards and backs, in the first half and must have been very disappointed not to have scored more tries.

Equally Cooke attacked well when the wind was with them.

They certainly finished the game with a series of attacks through their forwards.

Steenson began the game well with a penalty after only 2 minutes. Then a simple knock-on spoiled what seemed to be a good try-scoring chance. Adam Gowing was wide with a drop-goal attempt and shortly after Steenson was just wide with another penalty attempt.

All Armagh’s scoring efforts seemed doomed so the pack took it on themselves to go for a push-over even on a Cooke put in. A good catch from the resultant drop-out was mis-handled so Armagh had to regroup and eventually rely on the boot of Johnny Steenson to add another penalty bringing the score to 0-6.

Flanker, Joe Clarke, was yellow-carded but Armagh went on to score their only try when Adam Gowing cut through the Cooke defence to release Ally Birch for a great touch-down in the right corner.

Considering the strong wind the Steenson conversion from a very difficult position struck a post. So Armagh had to settle for 11-0 on the scoreboard. The phase of play included spectacular running and handling and really merited the 7 points. Cooke hit back with a try in their right corner but the conversion was too difficult in the windy conditions leaving the score at half-time 05-11.

Early in the second half Birch was twice replaced briefly by substitute Jamie Cornett for injury problems.

Cooke were now pressing hard but had a player yellow-carded. Steenson was wide with a penalty but gained another when he was late-tackled.

This kick was put down into the Cooke corner. The wind was making line-out throwing very tricky so Armagh were unable to capitalize on the line out as they usually can.

Cooke missed another penalty but they continued to pile on the pressure.

Cornett came on for Brian Bassett and Richard Morton came on for James Morton. Yellow cards were handed out to Brian Patterson and the Cooke out-half ending the card score at 2-2.

Cooke ended the game with phase of intense pressure when they camped on the Armagh line. Eventually the game ended with the Armagh defence grimly holding out.