Cooke were bolstered by the return of Irish Internationals Claire McLaughlin and Ashleigh Baxter for their trip to St Mary’s and the visitors started the game in fine form as they set about pounding the home team’s line for most of the first quarter. 

Unfortunately Cooke only had a Jemma Jackson penalty to show for their dominance and on the 20 minute mark a superb break by Paula Fitzpatrick was finished off by Orla Fitzsimons, converted by Saidhbhe O’Riordan, to give the home side a 7 – 3 lead. 

Cooke hit back almost straight away with Emma Jordan crossing out wide. The try went unconverted and Cooke took a 7 – 8 lead into the break. 

The game opened up in the second half as Jordan crossed for her second try of the afternoon and a quick flurry of scores from McLaughlin and Jackson put the game to bed with Jackson converting both. 

McLaughlin crossed again with the last play of the game, converted by Jackson, to give the visitors a convincing 7 – 34 win.