CQP recover from shocking start to garner two bonus points

CQP recover from shocking start to garner two bonus points in going down narrowly to KELSO

The game was played in decent conditions. Kelso had a German beer festival in their clubhouse and the main hospitaliy area was packed with guests. Prior to this game CQP were sitting three points ahead of Kelso so both sides had a lot to play for.

CQP however seemed to have trouble getting their heads into this game and within twelve minutes had conceded three tries of which one was converted. Kelso scored their first after only one minute courtesy of Kevin Dryden followed by a second scored by Kieran Dunbar. Neither of these tries was converted but the third try scored by Sim was converted by Dods.

Shortly after this CQP swung into gear with a strong break through the centre by Callum Spriddle who was stopped about fifteen metres short of the Kelso line.

Soon after this CQP got on the board with a fine try scored by Calum Dickson. The move was started by Jonny Campion who fed to captain Ewen Campbell who made ground before passing out to Calum who scored near the posts giving Wayne Burrows a good chance for the conversion which he took.

Three minutes later Fraser Paul found a gap in the home defence and got himself over the line. Again the try was converted by Wayne Burrows and the score moved to 17-14 in favour of Kelso.

On the twenty eighth minute Kelso seemed likely to score again but Ewen Campbell put in a try saving tackle but with ten minutes of the first half left Kelso secured their try bonus with a try by Andy Tait again converted by Dods and the score moved to 24-14 where it stood at the break..

SECOND HALF

Not long into the second half CQP reduced the Kelso lead with a successful penalty from the boot of Wayne Burrows.

This was followed by a try by Jonny Campion who received the ball from Graham Williamson who had taken it in the CQP line out. Jonny had still a lot to do to reach the Kelso line but he evaded numerous attempts to stop him and went over. Wayne Burrows conversion kick went narrowly to the left of the upright and the score moved to 24-22 in Kelso's favour.

Soon after this Andy Scott was dispatched to the sin bin for a high tackle and CQP were down to fourteen players for the fourth quarter.With thirty four minutes on the clock Kelso took advantage of the extra man and managed to maul over the CQP line and Ross Henderson touched down. Dods got the conversion and CQP were now behind 31-22. CQp kept fighting and got over the Kelso line only for the referee to adjudge that the ball had been held up. From the resultant scrum Jonny Campion again managed to cross the Kelso line and Wayne successfully struck home the tricky conversion to move the score to 31-29 Kelso. Late in the game CQP were awarded a penalty which was quite far out but potentially was convertible. In the event the kick missed narrowly and Kelso held out and the game drew to a close with Kelso the victors.

FINAL SCORE KELSO 31( 5 points ). CQP 29 ( 2 points ).

It clearly is arguable that if CQP had not got off to such a poor start they could have won this game and there is every reason to believe that later in the season when it is Kelso's turn to sit on a bus for over two hours as they make their way to Glasgow CQP can reverse the outcome of this game.

CQP have now amassed nine bonus points. A look at the other leagues in Scotland shows that only Kirkcaldy have equalled this total. These bonus points may well prove to be a Godsend at the close of this league programme.

There are a couple of areas in CQP's play where improvement could probably improve our chances in forthcoming games. Our ball from kick off seems to consistently go a distance which our chasers cannot get to resulting in the opposition immediately regaining possession with space to counter attack.. The other area of concern is our line out. If we were more confident of securing our own ball we might well have chosen to go for a kick to the corner for a take and drive. In the Kelso game Wayne had been kicking the dead ball well and three points would have given us the lead and probably victory so the decision to take the conversion kick was justified.

Jonny Campion who had had a fine game and been a thorn in Kelso's flesh all afternoon was declared CQP man of the match. Others to stand out were Ewen Campbell, Callum Spriddle and Calum Dickson.Of the five subs present Pierre Picardi, David Irvine and Michael Nellaney were used with Grant Harman and Tony Haunschmidt unused.

Elsewhere Stew Mel pick up their first victory with a home win against Falkirk

Next up Aberdeen Grammar GSFP at home. This will be a tough test but if we can start playing from the first minute of the game our chances of victory will be greatly improved