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Post date: Aug 15, 2019 8:00:13 AM
The second week of the finals was played last weekend and we had 12 teams in action.
On Saturday there was a clash between two Cooks River teams in the All Age 1 competition. The All Age As assumed early dominance and it wasn't long before they took a 1-0 lead. Late in the first half the Bs won a penalty which was well saved but rebounded off the post and the back of the keeper to send the teams into half time 1-1. In the second half the Bs came out with more exuberance and in a five minute spell countered effectively twice to score both times and end up 3-1 winners knocking out the As and going on to play Strathfield this Saturday for a place in the Grand Final.
Our All Age 7s were also competing in a knock out semi final against Lakemba. The game was made all the more difficult with the blustery conditions and Lakemba capitalised to take the lead. Cooks River had the better of the play even though they weren't at their best and equalised before winning a penalty with 2 minutes to go to end winning the match 2-1. They now go on to play Strathfield for a place in the Grand Final. This match is a Grand Final replay from last season where the Titans prevailed to win the competition for the 2nd straight year. On Saturday they will look to make their third Grand Final in a row.
The All Age 10s had major semi final against Burwood, a team they defeated the week before 3-0. After a difficulkt first half with only a few chances and no goals, the second half opened up. Once Cooks River scored their first goal, the flood gates opened and they banged in another 5 to run out convincing 6-0 winners. They have the week off and play in the Grand Final on the 24th August.
The All Age 12s played their elimination semi final against Enfield. It was a see-sawing battle which saw the game tied at 1-1 and then again at 2-2 but nothing else could be done to break the deadlock after 90 minutes. This forced the game into extra time golden goal and it was the Titans who managed to score the winner to send the team into the preliminary final against Sydney Rangers this Saturday.
The All Age 13s finished minor premiers and did battle in the major semi final against fierce rivals the Ashfield Pirates for a place in the Grand Final. The Titans ran out 2-1 winners in a dominant display and will now rest a week before their Grand Final on the 24th August.
The All Age 14s were also involved in a semi final at the same ground earlier in the day against Strathfield. It was an elimination semi final and unfortunately went down 2-1 in a close game.
The Over35/1s are the current champions but as mentioned last week only just made the finals in 4th place. After a dominant display last week, they again went on a rout and defeated a strong Concord team 5-0 to book their place in the Grand Final this weekend against perennial rivals Leichhardt Tigers. They will look to go back to back which no team has been able to do in the O35/1 competition for the past few years.
On Sunday, we had 4 team competing in semi finals.
Our U16/1s had finished the season in second spot and played the major semi final against the minor premiers Earlwood Wanderers - the team which won last year's competition against our Titans. Scores between these two teams have always been close so it was expected this game would be the same. Cooks River scored the only goal of the game and progressed directly to the Grand Final to be played on August 25th.
Cooks River Under 16 Division 1 have qualified for the Grand Final and will look to go one better than last season
Our Under 16/2s were also playing a major semi final. This is a brand new team and like the 1s finished a very credible 2nd on the table. They played minor premiers in Burwood and again games between these two have been very close and very tense. The last meeting went the way of the Titans but it was not to be in the semi final as Burwood edged the sky blues 2-1. Cooks River now play Leichhardt Saints on Sunday for another chance to get to the Grand Final.
Our Under 13/5s had a rough start to the season. The team is a combination of under12 and under 13 players in order to make a full squad. As the season went on, the results began to improve much to the credit of the boys as well as their coaches. They managed to finish in 4th spot so played an elimination semi final against Burwood. Many gave the team little chance but it was the Titans who who very unlucky hitting the woodwork on two occasions and should've scored a couple more. Nevertheless, the match ended 1-1 after full time and with no goals in extra time, the match had to be decided on penalties. Unfortunately, Cooks River went down 4-2 in penalties but should be extremely proud of their effort this season.
The final game played on Sunday was the All Age Sunday Div2 match between Cooks River and Inter Lions. It was an elimination match and the tensions were high. The Titans had not played for 3 weeks due to their last two opponents forfeiting their matches so it was test of match fitness. The scores were tied at 1-1 but it was Cooks River who grabbed the winner and progressed to this weekend's Grand Final qualifier against Marrickville.
Cooks River All Age Sunday Division 2 kept the finals hopes alive with a gutsy 2-1 win.
Out of our 13 teams which qualified for the finals, 4 have made the Grand Final and another 5 are playing this weekend for a right to play in the Grand Final the week after. All teams are doing the club proud.
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