Chris touches down with first senior try
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Chris Cochrane goes down for his first senior try at Ravenhill on Friday night against Queensland Warriors. Chris Cochrane goes down for his first senior try at Ravenhill on Friday night against Queensland Warriors.
CHRIS Cochrane seized the opportunity handed to him by Ulster coach Matt Williams last Wednesday when he was called into the team to start against Queensland Reds last Friday night.
The 19-year-old left wing got his first senior try for Ulster at Ravenhill and started the move that led to his side's third try as they romped to a 24-0 victory in the second of three pre-season friendlies.
The former Coleraine Inst schoolboy, who is with the Ulster Rugby Academy, is named on the bench for Wednesday night's final game against Worcester Warriors and in spite of picking up a hamstring niggle during Monday morning's training, is hoping Williams will give him a run out in the last 15 or 20 minutes.
“I tweaked my hamstring at training this morning," said Chris. "It was probably me just being stiff after the game on Friday night. I've been with the physio and I'll be there again on Tuesday. I'm on the beach so hopefully I'll get to play in the game at some stage."
Fellow winger Mark McCrea comes in for him, but right now the main objective for the Ballymoney lad is to remain in the squad for the start of the Magners League next weekend.
Williams invited Chris along with two other Academy players into the senior squad and he has been training with them all through the pre-season months impressing the new head coach.
It was a tough opening fixture for Cochrane and Ulster who tasted a 15-7 defeat to English giants Bath at Ravenhill two weeks ago.
The first year student admitted he didn't have a great game that night and he knew the pressure was on him when Williams broke the news to him that he'd be starting last Friday night replacing the injured Scottish international Simon Danielli.
Chris knew it was another chance for him to show Williams what he could do and he pounced on the opportunity against Queensland Reds, and no doubt Williams would not have called him into the senior squad had he not known his potential.
Speaking after the game against Bath Williams said: "Chris Cochrane really learned valuable experience.
“Yes he made a mistake, but look at the way he got up and got back into it.
“Everyone makes mistakes, it is how you react to those and young Chris did well."
Speaking modestly of his performance against the Australian Super 14 side, Chris said:
“I'm a wee bit happier. When you see the stats broken down that tells you how you do and I did do better and it was nice to get the try, even if it did sugar coat it a bit."
Of that try, Chris can recall the moment he received the pass from centre Darren Cave.
“We got a turnover and the ball was spread out from the number nine [Isaac Boss] to 13 [Cave].
“He ran down the outside as their number 10 came across and he slipped the ball behind to me as their number 15 closed in.
“I just caught it and ran in under the post.
“I felt I had to perform this week and as I was called into the side there was definitely more pressure."
And, after the game Chris said Williams told him he played and well and hoped that it was the first of many tries. With the Magners League kicking off on Friday week Chris hopes Williams keeps him as part of his plans to rebuild 'Fortress Ravenhill'.
