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Cook dishes up fine debut in Blaydon win
SAM Cook enjoyed a memorable first start for Southend as he helped the Seasiders pull off a terrific 24-11 triumph at Blaydon on Saturday.
The 18-year-old produced a solid performance at number eight.
And he was delighted to pick up a win which moved his side upto sixth in the National League Two standings.
"It was a really good experience for me," said Cook who is in his second season at Warners Bridge.
"Getting the win made it even better and the more experienced players in the team really helped me out.
"They were brilliant to me and it was very pleasing result because Blaydon are a good side."
Southend ran home four tries, with recalled centre Mark Billings, who replaced the ill Mike Stanley, scoring twice.
Skipper Andrew McClintock and scrum half Rhys Powell also touched down to make sure Cook was still smiling at the final whistle.
"I had come off the bench a couple of times before Saturday but getting a start was obviously great news for me," said the Upminster based forward.
"I'm still very young so to be playing in these kinds of games is brilliant."
Cook also received praise from his coach Kevin Harman who was thrilled with the victory.
"Sam did really well and for an 18-year-old to come into a National League Two and play like he did was impressive," said Harman.
"We had two 20-year-olds in the pack as well so it was very pleasing. We played very professionally and got what is a great win.
"They are very strong at home, they put 30 points on Blackheath to beat them earlier on the season and we're delighted.
"It's moved us up the table and to be sixth with just one game to go at this level is a great achievement for us."
Southend signalled their intentions from the start of the match and took the lead with 17 minutes on the clock, thanks to a fine individual try from Billings.
The former Basildon youngster latched onto a loose ball and superbly worked his way past four players to touch down under the posts.
Andrew Frost added the extras and in the 29th minute Powell extended the visitors' lead as he went over from close range after some fine approach play from the forwards.
Jason Smithson replied for the home-side with a drop goal on the stroke of half-time and Richard Windle kicked a penalty four minutes after the break.
But with 52 minutes on the clock captain McClintock made it 17-5 to Southend when he drove over and Frost, the league's top scorer, again added the extras.
Billings then bagged another brilliant try as he kicked ahead and outpaced the Blaydon defence to touch the ball down over the line and that was enough to make sure of the win, despite a late try from the hosts' Smithson.
Southend: Hoult, Lewis, Billings, C Green, Frost (Vaughan 69), Johnston, Powell, Guess, Pay (Greer 75), I Cook (North 65), McClintock, Waring, Gill, Johnson, S Cook
1:08pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008
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