Approaching Aberdeen just before 1pm the heavens opened and torrential rain fell in such volume that thoughts turned to the possibility of a flooded pitch. The Woodside pitch is however well drained but the standing area outside the barrier was full of puddles. Your reporter was very glad he had invested in a pair of waterproof shoes. By the time the game started the sky had cleared and the game took place in dry conditions'

It took Aberdeenshire only three minutes to get on the scoreboard with a good try which they converted but CQP hit back quickly with a converted try of their own in a move started by Wayne Burrows and finished off by Andy Scott. Play continued with the match finely balanced until Ross Gillies started a move which culminated in Matt Gray getting CQP's second try behind the posts. Once again the try was converted and CQP now held a 14-7 lead. Shire however took only five more minutes to regain parity with a second converted try and half time arrived with the game finely balanced at 14-14.

CQP had not looked quite as sharp as they had the previous week but when the second half got under way they upped their game and after ten minutes Wayne Burrows scored a third try which he converted and CQP's prospects of victory were now starting to look more likely and with seventy two minutes on the clock the important fourth try was secured when after intense pressure on the Shire line the ref awarded CQP a penalty try The ball was duly popped over the bar and CQP held a 28-14 lead. The shire backs and in particular their two centres had looked dangerous and effective all game and Shire reduced the leeway with an unconverted try but with time running out Michael Downer scored his first try for CQP which Wayne converted but the game still had some life in it and a high tackle by the same player saw him dispatched to the sin bin and soon after this Shire deservedly got their fourth try before the final whistle went.

FT Aberdeenshire 24 ( 1 point ) Carha Queen's Park 35 (5 points ).

As a consequence of Callum Dickson's wedding in South Africa CQP were missing three players who had featured in the win the previous week against Kelso. In addition they were without Peter Hollier who had gone top Azerbahjan on a contract which will apparently see him over there until the end of May.
CQP had shown their commitment to winning the Shire game with a try bonus by arranging for the team, the coaches physio and team manager to travel to Aberdeen on Friday afternoon to stay in the Ardoe House hotel. In addition to maximise the travelling support the seconds and Shawlands games had been rearranged so that they were played on the Friday night. The consequence was that thirty supporters travelled up on the supporters bus. It was fairly clear that their journey up had probably been lively. Given the outcome of the match it seems likely that the return journey would have been at least as lively but I have not been privy to any scuttlebut as I only got back from Aberdeen on Monday night.

The Shire match was played in good spirit and the home side took their defeat in good part and the clubhouse atmosphere post game was good.

Elsewhere Kelso and Peebles both achieved try bonus victories. Each of these teams has two fixtures left with Kelso having a seven points advantage over Peebles. On the 15th April Kelso will host Peebles and the following week Peebles will travel to Glasgow to play Whitecraigs and Kelso will go up to Aberdeen to play Shire. Peebles cannot get past CQP but Kelso could although their task really looks very much like a step too far.To finish ahead of CQP in the league and deny CQP the title Kelso would have to win both games with a try bonus and also secure a points differential improvement of sixty three point If Kelso do go to Aberdeen still chasing the title then on the back of what we saw on Saturday they will need a first class performance just to beat this highly skilled Shire team never mind a try bonus. CQP will have to sit it out but if matters could be finalised on the 15th April it would surely make the Cartha Q P ball already seen as a celebration ball even more joyful.

In my last report I said I would reserve my comments on our coaches until this report. Our coaching team was enhanced at the start of the season by the addition of Graham Knox from Greenock as backs coach and Andy Rowan who moved up from the seconds to be replaced by Peter Leslie. The coaching team of head coach Gary Grant and Alec Donaghy assisted by the two newbies have without doubt put in a tremendous effort which has yielded the superb outcome of seeing CQP promoted almost certainly as champions. The club owes them a massive vote of thanks.

Conclusion: CQP have put in a huge effort this season and have been rewarded with the outcome they sought. There have been a few injuries on the road through but fortunately not too many. At the start of this campaign the CQP ranks were inflated by the arrival of a number of new players who were clearly of 1st team quality.and this definitely helped.

Lastly a word of appreciation for our first team manager David Forbes. David is the man responsible for posting the score tweets - keeping those who cannot attend games informed of the outcome.

It has been a great season for CQP. Preparation for next season must start now.

Gavin