The game took place in almost perfect conditions with only a light wind and a pleasant temperature.

CQP made two changes from the team which had faced Ardrossan the previous Saturday restoring Adam Stewart to the wing and bringing in Alan Howie at full back.

It was anticipated that the game would be tight following Perthshire's good home win the previous week against Haddington.

The game opened well for Perthshire when they successfully converted a penalty after only a couple of minutes.

With about fifteen minutes played and both sides looking sharp CQP were awarded a scrum five metres out from the Perthshire line. THe first scrum saw Perthshire penalised for going offside when the CQP eight were pushing forward. The second scrum was adjudged to have been collapsed by Perthshire but on the third attempt CQP got the push over try they were seeking and the conversion was successful with a drop kick by Chisholm making the score 7-3 to CQP

With six more minutes played and the penalty count going in Perthshire's favour the score moved to 7-6 with another successful penalty to Perthshire and four minutes later Perthshire regained the lead from yet another penalty.

With just over 10 minutes left on the clock for the first half CQP snatched the lead back with a fine try after McKinnon had charged down an attempted 22 drop out. The ball went to Howie before he released Cook who scored near the corner With the conversion missed the score moved to 12-9 to CQP and few minutes later to 15-9 after a successful penalty to CQP.

Throughout the first half Perthshire had looked dangerous with the ball in hand and four minutes before the break they scored a good try on the right hand side which was converted to once again put Perthshire into the lead.

Half time Cartha Queen's Park 15 Perthshire 16

Shortly after the restart Robert Harvey was injured when Perthshire recklessly charged into a set scrum before CQP were ready and Robert received a heavy blow to the neck.

As the game moved on CQP asserted greater ascendancy in the tight but Perthshire continued to have the better of it in the line out taking full advantage of their height advantage.

Behind the scrum CQP were looking good but too often a promising move would break down because of a handling error

Eventually the CQP territorial advantage paid off with a try on the right side which was converted by Chisholm to once again put CQP in the lead with a score of 22-16.

With the clock running down CQP continued to strive for the fourth try which would give them the bonus point and in injury time from a line out big G took the ball and CQP drove over the line with Gillies being given the touchdown. Once again from a difficult position Chisholm was successful with the conversion and to the acclamation of the vocal CQP support the final whistle was blown to record a final score of 29-16 to CQP which therefore gave CQP five league points with none going to Perthshire.

Perthshire are a decent side and will have been disappointed to leave Dumbreck with nothing but in the opinion of a knowledgeable neutral the right team had won.

Later Callum Dickson was adjudged by the match sponsor to have been the CQP man of the match.

On the day the whole team played well and showed great commitment. The only criticism would be that an above average number of handling errors caused promising moves to break down. In the backs it was good to see Alan Howie restored to full back. Alan is exceptionally secure under the high ball. As last week Scott McInnes looked good in the centre. Ian Chisholm had a better day on the kicking front. Curiously he seemed to fare better with the difficult kicks.

The impression gained was that there are reasons to feel optimistic in relation to CQP's prospects for this season. We now travel to Dumfries who will be eager to get a win on the board after two defeats

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