CQP came into this game on the back of three defeats albeit that two of them were away to the top two teams and all of them were narrow. In addition four players who had been in last week's starting line up were missing. Howe for their part were coming off a convincing six try to nil home romp against Haddington. In these circumstances there were clearly grounds for caution on the CQP side.

Filling one first pick gap poses problems for the selection committee filling four is a major problem. It is appropriate in these circumstances to congratulate the selection committee for making what turned out to be an inspired selection on this occasion. The centre partnership of Scott McInnes and Tony Nyangweso had an immense impact on the outcome of this game. They should have had badges on their tops reading " Thou shalt not pass" because that was the way they played throughout strangling attempt after attempt by Howe to get through the middle.

The absence of John McCrossan and the switch of Scott McInnes from stand off to centre meant that it was necessary to put in place an untried halfback partnership with Wayne Burrows making his 1ST XV debut at 10. Although Wayne is clearly not as fit as he could be he slotted in well with Tam Davidson at number 9 whose ball distribution was slick and positive throughout. This ensured that the CQP backline moved well and generally the ball handling and support play was of a very high standard with only the odd poor pass, usually when the ball carrier had run out of space.

Peter Hollier started in place of Ross Gillies at number 8 and was later voted CQP man of the match by the coaches. 

The match was played in dry conditions with a pleasant temperature and little or no wind.

CQP attacked from the start and it took only five minutes for the Howe line to be crossed to give Nellany the opening try. The try was well to the side and went unconverted. With CQP maintaining the attack they scored again with 14 minutes on the clock. once more the try, scored by Scott McInnes, went unconverted to give CQP a ten point lead. Although Howe came more into the game after this and had more of the possession in the second quarter the score remained at 10-0 to CQP at the break.

The second half opened with both teams continuing to run the ball at every opportunity. With fourteen minutes played Andy Noble had to go off with cramp and was replaced by Michael Gallacher. Shortly after this Howe were reduced to fourteen men when their number 14 was sinbinned and CQP took advantage shortly afterwards with a third try scored this time by Peter Hollier. Not long after this CQP went down to fourteen players when Graham Williamson was sinbinned for what appeared to be failure to release in the tackle and soon  after Howe went back up to full strength and opened their account with a try by Clark converted by Martin.

CQP hit back immediately with a second try to Scott McInnes with the ball moving from left to right in adventurous style to secure a bonus. After crossing the line Scott had moved in towards the posts and this time the conversion was successful to move the score to 22-7

Following this Howe twice attacked down the left side but their winger was adjudged to have put a foot in touch the first time and Andy Scott put in a try saving tackle the second time.

With full time nearing and CQP seeming to have the game won Tony Nyangweso got the ball some ten metres out and brushed aside at least two tackles in crashing over for try number five which again was converted.CQP were now in full flow and it was no surprise when a sixth try was added when the ball was fed out to the right wing to let Adam Stewart cross in the corner for an unconverted try.

To their credit Howe kept trying to get over the CQP line again but excellent CQP defence kept them at bay and the final whistle went with CQP having secured a well deserved and important victory by 34 points to seven.

The referee who looked barely into his twenties was Lloyd Linton from Aberdeen. His decision making was generally clear with no noticeable bias to either team

This was a very satisfying display by a CQP side who displayed a lot of self belief. Robert Harvey's return to front row duties definitely paid off and throughout the game Andy Scott's kicking from hand was superb. As usual Iain Cook lead the team by example frequently gathering the ball from the kick off and setting up good atacking field position.The interpassing between backs and forwards was great to watch. The only small downside point was the failure of the CQP lineout throwing in. If CQP can play like this each week they will surely move up the table into the promotion chasing mix.

Final Score                  CARTHA QUEEN'S PARK 34      HOWE of FIFE 7

© Cartha Queen’s Park RFC 2010, All Rights Reserved     ·     Privacy Statement | Site Map