Over and Out for Cook
Pontypridd RFC can announce that second row Macauley Cook has retired from rugby with immediate effect ahead of the new season.
As a youngster Macauley made 3 appearances for Pontypridd during the 2009-2010 season whilst he was part of the Cardiff Blues regional academy. His 4th appearance for the club, 3 years later was a memorable one when he finished a sweeping team move to score the winning try as Ponty beat London Welsh 29-22 in the British and Irish Cup at Sardis Road in October 2013.
Macauley spent over a decade with the Cardiff Blues before departing across the English Channel to play for Jersey Reds for three seasons prior to joining Ponty in the summer of 2023 in readiness for last season.
The talismanic second row was an ever-consistent performer for the Valley Commandos during the last campaign making 23 appearances, taking his total to 27 overall.
On deciding to bring down the curtain on his playing days, Macauley said: “I would like to massively thank everyone at Ponty. The players and staff who made me feel very welcome from the start and Phil Miles for giving me the opportunity. It was amazing to play for this huge club for one more season after playing my first senior game of rugby for them a long time ago.
Pontypridd RFC will always be a special place for me personally, it’s where my senior career started and now where it’s ending. I’m looking forward to the future of new challenges and spending some quality time with my family and my beautiful daughter. But I wish all the boys the best of luck for the upcoming season. They have recruited really well and the new coaches look to be doing a cracking job so I feel it’s an exciting time for the club rebuilding over the coming seasons.
I will be at Sardis this season cheering the boys on with all the supporters who have been there through thick and thin showing their support for me personally and the club. All the best. Ole.”
Ponty Head Coach Chris Dicomidis said: “Obviously as a coaching team and back-room staff we are gutted to see someone of Mac’s quality retire. Mac was a huge presence on and off the field for us last season bringing leadership, playing and social qualities to the group (the only downside being he is a Liverpool fan).
Personally I’ve been lucky enough to play a number of games with Mac and forged a good relationship with him often being roommates whilst both at Cardiff. I also remember a young fresh faced Rhondda boy turning up and being proud to put on the Ponty jersey.
I’m sure much like the supporters will do, we wish Mac all the very best in his retirement and spending time with his young family. The door will always be open if he fancies putting the boots back on.”
Macauley has decided to call time on his stellar career and Pontypridd RFC would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts last season as well as wishing him and his family well for the future.
Diolch Macca
