Cochrane brace as Ireland break their duck
Friday, 20 June 2008
Coleraine’s Chris Cochrane scored a brace of tries for Ireland at the weekend in the IRB Junior World Championships.
COLERAINE'S Chris Cochrane scored a brace of tries for Ireland Under-20's against Tonga at the IRB Junior World Championship in a free-flowing and entertaining game at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
With both teams desperate to get their first win of the competition having lost their two earlier pool games, it was Tonga who dominated the first half but Ireland's strong second half showing was enough to give Eric Elwood's team a first taste of victory in Wales.
Former Coleraine Inst player Chris Cochrane opened Ireland's scoring when he intercepted a loose Tongan pass to race the length of the pitch and touch down.
Both sides showed ambition on the attack as the half wore on and it was Ireland who got the next score when Ian Porter put over another kick.
Tonga hit right back with an impressive display of offloading and slick handling and Malupo, who had already made a number of superb breaks, was on hand to run in a try.
