Travelling north to the "fair city" it was very difficult to believe that Loch Inch could be playable as we passed snow covered fields all the way up. Arriving at the ground however we found that the grass was indeed green and that the pitch was clearly playable.

Following their away defeat at Dunfermline Perthshire had slipped to the bottom of the table but were now about to commence a run of five home games which had to persuade them that all was not lost and provide a major incentive to them to give CQP a really hard contest.

The game started well for CQP and good forward pressure saw them open their account with five minutes on the clock with a try scored by Big G.Wayne Burrows duly converted to give CQP a 7-0 lead. Shortly after this Perthshire had an opportunity to open their account with a kickable penalty but the kick went wide and CQP duly forced their way back upfield where John McCrossan narrowly failed with a drop goal attempt from some distance out. A second score for CQP came after fifteen minutes when good line out ball was secured five metres from the Perthshire line and the homesters were driven back with Fraser McKinnon securing the touchdown. This time the conversion effort failed but CQP increased their lead further after only another three minutes of play when Big G gained a second try after a number of good phases of play to push CQP into a 19-0 lead

After thirty minutes Perthshire had managed to force their way into the game helped by the referee awarding them a succession of penalties and with thirty two minutes played opened their account with a try.

As the game progressed the penalty count against CQP was steadily rising and in the thirty-seventh minute the referee lost patience with CQP and dispatched Nicol Smillie to the sin bin.

Only two minutes later saw CQP reduced to thirteen players when Big G followed Nicol into the sin bin after conceding a penalty near the CQP line. Despite vigorous attempts by Perthshire they were not able to break through a resolute CQP defence and the half time whistle came with CQP holding a 19-5 lead

Perthshire continued to make strenuous efforts to cross the CQP line as the second half got underway and with eight minutes on the clock finally succeeded with a converted try to reduce the leeway to seven points.

With CQP restored to fifteen players and Tony Nyangweso on for Craig Gervaise the game became more even and a minute after Scott McInnes went off to be replaced by Andy Noble CQP added their fourth and bonus winning try through a forward drive. This time the scorer was Andy White.

Perthshire were not finished and scored again to cut CQP's lead to 24-19.

With forty-one minutes on the clock CQP added a fifth try through Andy Crozier who was making his first appearance for the ones for some time. With the try unconverted the score moved to 29-19 where it remained till the final whistle.

Given the number of enforced changes which were made from the previous week's team it is to the team and the coaches' credit that this good away victory was secured. Thoughout CQP had the upper hand up front where the forwards were well organised and operated effectively. With so many changes in the backs it was no real surprise that as an attacking force they were less dangerous than normal but defensively they played well against a Perthshire outfit which showed plenty of spirit. With Perthshire due to play both Morgan and Musselburgh at home it will be no great surprise if they escape the drop.

CQP now in third place for their part are still mathematically able to overtake Hamilton but it will require a monumental effort to achieve this plus some assistance from others.  

CQP Team: 1 J Malakoty 2 F McKinnon 3 R Harvey 4 G Willamson 5 A White 6 I Cook 7 A Crozier 8 N Smillie 9 J McCrossan 10 W Burrows 11C Gervaise 12 C Dickson 13 S McInnes 14 T Davidson 15 M Sherlock Subs used A Nyangweso for C Gervaise and A Noble for S McInnesT   

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