UL Bohemians managed to hold on to four of their international panelists for the trip to Belfast but, once again, it was Cooke who were the authors of their own misfortune with poor tackling and very poor ball retention allowing the visitors to race to a 26 – 0 lead in the first half hour.
Hard running Aine Staunton caused the damage bagging three tries with hooker Edel Murphy converting two and found time to score and convert a try of her own.
Cooke eventually got their act together as the game approached the break with Ilse van Staden making the line, after a concerted period of pressure. Jemma Jackson converted and the teams turned around with Cooke trailing 7 – 26.
It was a much more competitive second half as Cooke upped their game, but a breakaway try, finished by Staunton and converted by Murphy, dealt the killer blow for the visitors about fifteen minutes in. Cooke did enjoy some success in the set piece but their poor work at the breakdown saw a lot of good work undone.
The home side did increase their tempo as the game wore on and probably just edged the second half, a late try by Shannon Heapes, converted by Jackson, some reward for their efforts.
The result sees Bohs consolidate their position at the top of the league with Cooke slipping down one to 6th place.
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | PD | TB | LB | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.L. Bohemian | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 65 | 137 | 4 | 0 | 32 |
| Old Belvedere | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 200 | 65 | 135 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
| Galwegians | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 166 | 113 | 53 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| Railway Union RFC | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 136 | 107 | 29 | 2 | 4 | 14 |
| Blackrock | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 81 | 107 | -26 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| Cooke | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 138 | 177 | -39 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Highfield | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 93 | 186 | -93 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| St. Mary’s | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 55 | 251 | -196 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
