The match was played in good weather with a corner wind blowing towards the Pollokshaws end of the clubhouse.

Injuries had forced CQP to make changes in their team with both Robert Harvey and Andy White missing in the forwards and Ross Gillies and Andy Lamont not yet ready to resume. Peter Hollier was also missing from the forwards squad. In the backs Wayne Burrows was absent causing Scott McInnes to move from centre to stand off and Tony Nyangweso moving into the centre with Alan Howie making a welcome return on the wing.

CQP's aspiration in this game was to win with a bonus point and maintain the pressure on Hamilton who were playing away to league leaders Whitecraigs.

CQP opened brightly and from a penalty they attempted a take and drive but were forced back. The ball was then shipped to Tony Nyangweso who made ground before offloading to Michael Sherlock then to Alan Howie who then realising that he was unlikely to get over the line passed back inside to Michael to secure a fine opening try for CQP, the conversion was unsuccessful to leave the score at 5-0 to CQP.Haddington forced their way upfield from the restart and eventually their pressure was rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which they kicked. to reduce the leeway to 5-3.

With twenty one minutes played Nicol Smillie replaced an injured Michael Nellany.Shortly after this CQP were rewarded with a penalty which was converted.

From the restart Haddington kicked the ball straight into touch. From the resultant scrum Haddington tried to disrupt but Cook gathered at the rear of the scrum broke down the centre before offloading to Callum Dickson who touched down to move the score to 13-3. Scott McInnes cnverted to increase te kead to 15-3.

After twenty seven minutes of play Haddington finally managed to find a way through the CQP defence after a period of sustained pressure inside the CQP ten metre area. The conversion was missed and the score moved to 15-8. With thirty-six minutes on the clock CQP got their third try When Ian Cook again burst through the centre. The ball was dummied to the right before Cookie crossed the line himself. Again Scott McInnes converted to move the score to 22-8 in CQP's favour. Haddington were making things difficult for CQP upfront but there appeared to be a distinct advantage to CQP in the backs where the CQP backs looked the more likely to break their opponents line. In addition McInnes, Scott, Davidson and Nyangweso were all putting in some big defensive tackles.Two minutes later CQP got their try bonus when Andy Scott punted the ball out left firstly to Tam Davidson before he moved the ball to Makaloty to touch down. Again Scott McInnes conversion was successful moving the score to 29-8. With forty minutes on the clock CQP conceded a penalty in front of the posts which Haddington slotted leaving the half-time score as 29-11. The only serious problems encountered by CQP in the first half had arisen in the forwards where without either first choice prop CQP were under some pressure. In the backs CQP looked a class above Haddington running at pace passing intelligently and tackling with great conviction. The Haddington try had been scored by number 4 Lawrence Lappin.

Only three minutes into the second half saw Haddington add a second try, this time by Herkes. The try was unconverted to move the score to 29-16. At this point Barrowman went off to be replaced by Dan Tams

CQP then forced their way upfield and from a set scrum Cookie picked up fed right to Andy Scott who chipped the ball ahead for Michael Sherlock to follow up and score CQP's fifth try. McInnes who now seemed to be specialising in low trajectory conversions duly slotted the ball over the bar to move the score to 36-16.

Haddington were not however ready to lie down and forced their way well into the CQP half resulting in Andy Crozier putting in three good defensive tackles in a row.Haddington were continuing to enjoy the territorial advantage but a good downfield kick by Andy Scott relieved the pressure. Halfway through the second half John McCrossan added CQP's sixth try. This time the conversion was missed. and the score moved to 41-16.Haddington hit back with a try close to the posts which was converted to move the score to 41-23. After thirty two minutes of second half play CQP appeared to have scored another try on the left but the ref adjudged that the final pass from McCrossan to Davidson had been forward and the score was disallowed. The score was only delayed when following a scrum close to the line the ball went to Tony Nyangweso who had been looking eager to get on the scoreboard all afternoon. From the kick off the ball was gathered by Cookie who powered his way upfield to score his second try of the afternoon. Again McInnes converted successfully to move the score to 55-23 and in the final play the ball was moved out to Alan Howie on the left wing to give a final score of 60-23.

There was not really a great deal between the forwards in this game. In the early part of the game Haddingtton had the clear edge upfront but in the second half there was little between the packs. The real difference between the two sides was that CQP's backs were pacier had a better eye for the gap and were excellent when called on to defend.There were no failures in the back division and the award of man of the match to Andy Scott was entirely justified. Andy  is currently playing at his best ably supported by those around him. Whether we gain promotion or not there is no doubt that the quality of our play has been improving throughout the season.It is a great pity that we suffered two particularily bad defeats in the first half of the season to Dunfermline and Musselburgh the two teams currently looking the most likely to face the drop.
FINAL SCORE CQP 60 HADDINGTON 23

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