This was the last match in the first half of the league programme was played in dry conditions with a corner to corner wind at CQP's back at the start.

CQP were at full strength upfront but were without centres Chisholm and McInnes who were both injured.

Although lying in the bottom half of the table Haddington's home record was good whereas CQP had won only once on the road before this game having sustained several narrow defeats.

Haddington's ground is a little unusual in that it is crowned from side to side and with a lot of open space to one side it is a ground which will always favour the home side as visiting teams will probably encounter some difficulty in identifying the side touchlines.

From the start Haddington showed that they were very much up for this game driving in aggressively to rucks and running with pace and purpose by comparison CQP seemed a bit off the pace. The first real opportunity however fell to CQP when Tony fed out to Tam Davidson who elected to grubber the ball past the final defender but the kick was too strong and went dead.

Shortly afterwards with twelve minutes played Haddington had a chance to take the lead from a penalty but the ball which was well struck hit the right upright and Wayne Burrows collected the ball and cleared the pressure.

Soon after this Speedy took a good ball from Tony and sped down the left side leading to a penalty to CQP. Unfortunately the CQP kicker failed to find touch and the chance of a take and drive was lost. Haddington responded immediately and only two good tackles firstly by Tony and then by Nellany avoided any points being scored. With a quarter of the game gone both teams were displaying a readiness to keep the game open but Haddington looked the sharper and hungier side. With twentyfour minutes played Haddington took a deserved lead from a penalty. CQP responded promptly with a penalty of their own which Wayne Burrows converted successfully to level the score at three all. Soon after this CQP pressure produced another penalty which although it had the height was pulled to the left.

 Haddington again forced their way upfield and were awarded two penalties in quick succession. The first was put into touch but they elected to kick the second and which was duly knocked over the bar.

Half-time Haddington 6 Cartha Queen's Park 3

Haddington opened the second half by showing that they had every intention of taking advantage of the wind by punting the ball into touch about five metres from the CQP line. In the resultant throw in to CQP the thrower failed to find his man putting CQP under unnecessary pressure.

With only a few minutes of the second half played Ross Gillies came off to be replaced by Callum Dickson.

With ten minutes played Haddington finally got through the CQP defence and went into an 11-3 lead. The Haddington try was scored by Dykes. Haddington increased their lead further from another successful penalty to move the score to 14-3. Up to this point although the winning margin had remained relatively small there had been no reason to believe that CQP would prevail. CQP did however seem to get more into the game and had an opportunity to score from a take and drive close to the Haddington line but the move broke down when a CQP forward was adjudged to have gone into his own man.Soon after this Tony Nyangweso nearly got over on the right hand side but was stopped just short.

With the game nearing its finish CQP upped their effort and with injury time being played CQP eventually secured a try by John McCrossan following a number of penalties to CQP which started on their own twenty two.Wayne Burrows converted successfully and the referee who had had a good day blew for full time.

As a result of the last minute try CQP secured a losing bonus to maintain their record of obtaining a losing bonus in all of their five away defeats and proving the value of playing for the full eighty minutes.

Full-time score Haddington 14 Cartha Queen's Park 10.

Comment. Although the margin was only four points at no time in this game did CQP look as though they would win. Haddington were hungry throughout and played with passion and pace. Only good defence on the CQP side denied Haddington a bigger victory and it was only really in the last fifteen minutes that CQP displayed some real fire..Players to catch the eye on the CQP side were Tony Nyangweso for his determined running and readiness to attack, Wayne Burrows who has added a an element of strength in the number 10 shirt. In the forwards big G put in another stertling performance.

With eleven games played five at home and six away we have secured twenty eight points, a total which owes a lot to bonus points.

If we want to win games we have to demonstrate from the off that we have the hunger. This is a tight league and there is very little between the teams. Attitude will determine whether we finish in the top or bottom half. 

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