Rugby: Big win for Cookstown over Rainey 4th XV

Played in arctic conditions throughout, the game failed to live up to pre-game expectations as Cookstown overawed their Magherafelt counterparts.

Cookstown scored with their first attack of the game – good play by Plunkett McCallan allowed Ciaran Currie to dot down in the corner for a 5-0 lead.

The game plan for Cookstown seemed to go out the window thereafter with passes going astray and offloads tried in the wrong areas of the pitch as complacency appeared to set in.

However Cookstown managed to regroup as the half progressed with a well worked try in the corner by Ciaran McKenna opening up a 12-0 lead and this was quickly added to by Kyle Campton with a push over try following a lineout.

This left the half time score at 17-0.

Rainey started the second half in determined fashion and were camped in the Cookstown half for the opening 10 minutes.

Cookstown managed to see out this period without conceding any scores despite having two players yellow carded and following the return to a full complement, a try scoring blitz ensued.

Kyle Campton got his second against his former club, Stephen Rea scored from two yards out and Martin Boone dished out his traditional palm-off to score under the posts.

Kezzy Nugent extended his lead in the try scoring chart with a score in the corner and newcomer Daniel McElroy burst through several Rainey tackles to conclude the scoring just as the snow started to fall to leave the final score 50-0.

Director of Rugby Liam Currie commented after the game: “It was a mixed performance and the scoreline flattered us and didn’t reflect the pressure the Rainey put us under at times but it was good to get a clean sheet.

“The conditions were testing with a heavy pitch and frost but I think that we showed that the cold doesn’t bother us.”