Cartha Queens Park v Dumfries Saints

The rainfall in the week leading up to this game was such that a pitch inspection was required in the morning. The outcome was that the game took place on the inside pitch because of some lying water at the wall end of the first XV pitch. Once again the CQP team selection was affected by the absence of several experienced players. Messrs Williamson, Paul, Docherty and Hollier were all missing. Rain and a strong wind were present throughout. The temperature was very low making watching this game arduous.
Dumfries opened the scoring from a penalty in front of the posts but CQP equalised with a successful Rorie Watson penalty on the half hour mark. CQP then moved into the lead courtesy of a try by wing forward Ryan Howie who was making a return after work commitments. The try was converted by Rorie Watson giving CQP a 10-3 lead at half time.

CQP increased their lead to 17-3 when Calum Dickson went over with Rorie Watson adding the conversion points. While the wind was a bit erratic it generally was blowing against CQP in the second half which was making it difficult for CQP to clear their lines. With sixty minutes played Dumfries added three points from a penalty. The momentum was now with Dumfries and CQP went down to fourteen players when Ewan McKenzie was yellow carded. Dumfries then got over the CQP line for a converted try and just before the end they scored again after Calum Dickson was sin binned taking CQP down to thirteen players.

Full time CQP 17 Dumfries Saints 18.

The previous home game had also seen CQP lose the lead at the end when they had gone down to a 23-18 defeat to Lasswade. It is extremely frustrating for players and supporters to lose a game at the death. It is obviously even more frustrating to lose two in a row in similar circumstances. In both games the game had swung towards the opposition in the second half. A little bit of luck wouldn’t go amiss for CQP

Next up Preston Lodge away. Next home game will be Newton Stewart on the 28th which is also the day of the ex players lunch.