FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

The match was played in near perfect conditions.

Each team had won their opening fixture the previous week and with Howe having gained a try bonus they sat top of the league. In recent seasons Howe have tended to have the better of it in the backs with CQP having the upper hand up front.

As the game progressed it seemed clear that the difference between the teams in both areas had reduced and the Howe forwards looked bulkier than last season.

For some time the game progressed with each team trying to find a way past the other's determined defence. Eventually roughly half way through the first half Howe opened the scoring with a try when Drummond intercepted a pass from McInnes and raced through. He was pursued by McInnes who tried to bring him down on two occasions but was handed off leaving Drummond to score to the right of the posts. Fortunately from a CQP standpoint the conversion attempt just went past the left hand post. Within two minutes Howe nearly scored a second try but were stopped just short of the line. With twenty eight minutes on the clock Burke was sin binned and the resultant penalty to Howe was converted by Martin to give Howe an eight point lead. The contest continued with neither side successfully penetrating the others defence but it seemed clear that from a CQP point of view it was vital that the next points should go to them. Eventually with half time fast approaching and CQP back to full strength CQP managed to break through on the left Tam Davidson came into the line on the wing from fullback and touched down in the corner to round off a nicely crafted backs attack. Andi Black did his bit when he slotted the conversion from just inside the touchline. 

Half Time. CQP 7 Howe 8  It would have taken a brave man to place a bet at this stage on the eventual winner.

Five minutes into the second half saw CQP with a chance to take the lead from a penalty some thirty five metres out but McInnes's attempt  fell short

With about eighteen minutes of the second half played Nellany came on for Hollier who had been in the backrow. Gillies then switched out of the second row to make space for Nellany.

With twenty six minutes played Burke put CQP into the lead after a fine move involving Ross Gillies and Andy Scott. Andi Black's conversion was unsuccessful and CQP were now leading 12-8 Shortly after this with the game on a knife edge Howe broke through on the left and seenmed certain to score but the ball was dropped as their attacker tried to ground the ball to let CQP off the hook.

Howe were not to be denied and with five minutes of official time left Clark scored a good try on the left hand side which they converted to give them a 15-12 lead.

CQP pressed hard and eventually secured a kickable penalty with only injury time remaining. At this point there were numerous calls from the touchline to take the points but the decision was to put the ball into touch to attempt a take and drive. Howe resisted this but in the process conceded another penalty. Prop Stephen Murray was injured at this point and required attention from the physio. Despite the fact that CQP had indicated they wished to take a scrum no substitution took place and the tension on the touchline was palpable exacerbated by the injury delay. Eventually play resumed and the ball was put into the scrum. Initially CQP seemed unable to move the Howe pack but slowly the CQP back displaying excellent control pushed the Howe pack back over their line with Andy Scott watching intently for his opportunity to get the touchdown which he did when he neatly picked up and went over to the right of the scrum. Andi Black then secured his second excellent conversion and on the touchline the hope was that the final whistle would be blown. A couple of minutes later and it was and the CQP support could release their built up tension.

A feature of the game earlier on had been the penalising of the CQP throw in. The ref adjudged that Gilmour was taking a pace towards the CQP line before throwing in.

CQP have secured the services of several new players since last season and the CQP team that took the field included no fewer than four of them. The Gilmour twins from Cumbernauld , David Goudie from Linlithgow and Stephen Murray from Highland who decided to join us as a consequence of our team building trip to Inverness. It takes time for new players to fit in but all four did well in this game

The man of the match award went to Austin ( Ossie ) Burke for his high tackle rate and readiness to give his all. Both Ross Gillies and captain Graham Williamson also put in a fine shift.

A feature of the game was that CQP only used one of their four available subs. This was a good decision on the part of the coaching team as the game was very finely balanced and all the players on the park were giving a 100% effort. 

Graham Williamson has to be congratulated for having the belief and confidence to go for the win rather than settle for the draw.Under his leadership this CQP team is showing considerable character.

Final score CQP 19 Howe of FIFE 15

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