WORKMANLIKE CQP PERFORMANCE PLUS A LITTLE BIT OF JOHN McCROSSAN MAGIC EARNS CQP 5 POINTS AT MUSSELBURGH

This game took place following the very long lay off caused by the extremely severe winter interuption. It would therefore not have been surprising if the players displayed rustiness but in the event despite a swirling wind both teams put in a good performance and served up a decent game of rugby.

CQP were more or less at full strength and hopes were high that CQP might prevail but those attending were acutely conscious that Musselburgh had proved to be something of a bogey team in recent fixtures and had inflicted the only home league defeat on CQP this season.

With CQP playing up the slope the game started with Musselburgh having the vast bulk of possession and territory and it was no surprise when they took the lead after only three minutes. through a successful penalty and five minutes later increased their lead to six points when CQP conceded another kickable penalty.

CQP however gradually started to come into the game and with 13 minutes played created some space on the left where Tam Davidson was waiting and a neat floated pass found him and gave him a relatively easy touchdown to move the score to 6-5 to Musselburgh

Soon afterwards Musselburgh were awarded another penalty but this time scrum half Brian Walls was unsuccessful

With half time approaching and neither side really dominating the other CQP scored a second try after CQP took the ball near the Musselburgh line and drove over with Tam Davidson again getting the credit

Half time Musselburgh 6 Cartha Queen's Park 10

Only five minutes into the second half saw Musselburgh regain the lead after CQP having won the ball in the set piece saw Walls steal the ball and kick it through into the in goal area and follow up to gain a try when he reached the ball ahead of the CQP defence. The try was not converted.

With eleven minutes on the clock the Musselburgh number 6 was binned and from the resultant penalty CQP went over for a pushover try grounded by John McCrossan. The try was converted . Shortly afterwards CQP were reduced to fourteen players when Wayne Burrows playing at number 10 was binned leading Scott McInnes to move into the stand off spot from centre.

After Burrows returned Nicol Smyllie was binned after intense Musselburgh pressure nearly secured a score. CQP duly relieved the pressure but Musselburgh added another three penalty points. 

The CQP pack was now in control and after Smyllie's return forced their way upfield where Smyllie played a prominent part in moving CQP to about fifteen metres from the Musselburgh line and with the ball at the back of the ruck just over a yard from the touchline McCrossan gave every indication that he was deciding to whom he should pass the ball on the inside when he suddenly darted down the blind side and dived over for an excellent individual try. This moved the score to 22-14 and from then until the end of the game CQP camped in the Musselburgh twenty two.

Full time Musselburgh 14 Cartha Queen's Park 22

With a four to one try count in their favour CQP deserved to win this game which was played out in a sporting manner and refereed fairly. The five points gained have enabled CQP to move a point nearer Hamilton and Ardrossan.

If one was to pick out a CQP man of the match it would probably be John McCrossan for his second try but really this was a victory for a very gritty and committed CQP team whose defence throughout was excellent and whose forwards proved yet again the value of winning the battle upfront.

On the Musselburgh side once again scrum half and captain Brian Walls stood out as indeed he had earlier in the season at Dumbreck.           

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