Cooke kicks Withycombe to thrilling victory in Cornwall

The boot of Fly Half Tom Cooke got the scoring underway after just two minutes and he was on target to double the lead after 12 minutes before Veor halved the deficit.

With the half-hour mark approaching, a great stripped ball from Mike Richards from within the Veor half was recycled through the hands and out for a chip kick, with Veor knocking the ball forward in the collection, it landed in the hands of Jack Fear who ran the remaining few yards under the posts for a converted score.

With the points gap widened, the hosts hit back with some good rugby of their own and forced the penalties to gain possession and territory back, eventually getting three points for their efforts. The points balance was swiftly addressed though as, from his own 10m line, Cooke hoofed the ball between the posts to regain the 10-point lead.

Veor continued to push too though, and they put themselves back into the game with a converted try through Number 8 Ashley Lawton to bring the half to a close with the score at 13-16.

The second half started with a bang as, almost immediately from the kick off, another chip kick found the hands of the speedy Withy Scrum Half Ben Bolwell, who sprinted down the wing to score the first points of the half. Cooke’s conversion extended the lead back to 10 points.

Veor’s second score was a well-executed catch and drive from the 5m line and a short period of loose play saw two penalties kicked by Veor as they took the lead for the first time. Withy scored next with their fourth penalty of the game to retake the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

In the next enthralling twist, a penalty in front of the post restored the Veor lead with four minutes remaining. Step forward Cooke with two dramatic late kicks to win the game. Final score: Veor 27 Withycombe 32.

Great win for Withycombe (Image: Adam Curtis)

Withies victorious at Veor (Image: Adam Curtis)