The opening exchanges were ominous for the Cockles as they lost the first scrum and conceded an early penalty which the visitor’s kicked for the corner and, from the line-out, crossed for a converted try.

The Cockles response was good and a driving maul was illegally pulled down. The George Meadows kick was pulled wide, but he atoned minutes later with a successful penalty, awarded for a similar offence.

A penalty extended the visitors lead, but the Cockles found a new gear and, after a yellow card for another illegal maul halting, the lineout option proved fruitful and skipper Tom Emery crossed with Meadows slotting the conversion.

With the half drawing to a close, Garry Hooper who had an industrious game, was held up over the visitors line. The resulting 5-metre scrummage held firm and number-eight Ross Morshead crashed over in the corner.