CQP grab late victory in nerve jangling heart thumping relegation clash at Stoneyhill.

The match took place in dry conditions with a light breeze present which favoured the home team in the first half. Musselburgh attacked from the off. With only eight minutes on the clock Andy Scott was sinbinned and a minute later Musselburgh took the lead with a try in the left corner which went unconverted. Five minutes later they scored again on the same side but closer in and the try was converted.
With sixteen minutes on the clock CQP hit back following some good forward pressure and mauled their way over the home line with Juan Phyfer getting the credit. Wayne Burrows converted to make the score 12-7 to Burgh.
On the twenty minute mark with CQP up full strength Graeme Docherty broke down the right wing , before being tackled Graeme kicked a clever ball downfield to the in goal area. On attempting to chase his kick Graeme was clearly tackled without the ball. Andy Scott had followed up in support and would have reached the ball first if he hadn't been impeded. The ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and CQP now held a 14-12 lead. After about twenty five minutes Calum Dickson replaced Callum Spriddle at wing forward. Musselburgh were awarded two penalties in quick succession and went for the posts with the second but it went about two feet wide.
With 36 minutes on the clock CQP increased their lead when Gregor Davidson went over for a try which Wayne converted.

HT Musselburgh 12 - CQP 21

With only two minutes of the second half played Wayne Burrows scored CQPs fourth try which he converted to give CQP a 28-12 lead.
Musselburgh came firing back and Rory Watt scored for them. The conversion went wide and the score now stood at 28-17. Musselburgh then with their tails up scored again but this time converted to put the result in doubt with the score now standing at 29-24. Musselburghs prospects of victory then improved when Andy Scott received a second yellow and this had to leave the field with fifty five minutes played. With sixty minutes on the clock Musselburgh took full advantage of their numerical superiority and scored again giving them lead of 31-28. Despite being a man short and with David Irvine now on for Michael Downer CQP gradually reasserted their presence. A fine run down the left hand side by Tony Nyangweso saw Tony realise that he was going to get caught short of the line. Tony kicked ahead leaving the Musselburgh defender no option but to clear to touch. CQP now exerted increasing pressure keeping it tight. A succession of scrums and resets then took place and was clear that CQP now had the upper hand in the set piece. Musselburgh did everything they could to prevent CQP crossing their line leading to the concession of a number of penalties. From one of these penalties CQP were seen to be driving Musselburgh back over their line with the ball under control at the number 8's feet when the ref blew for yet another penalty to CQP. When the next set piece saw the Musselburgh scrum disintegrating the ref awarded CQP their second penalty try which put them back into a four point lead with the score now standing at 35-31. Because of injuries in the second half it was difficult to be certain of how much time was left. Musselburgh made ground into the CQP half knowing that they needed a try to win the match. Eventually CQP got the ball and booted it firmly out the park and the whistle went for the end of a game which had had the nerves jangling throughout.

FT Musselburgh 31 (2points). CARTHA QP 35 (5points).

This was not a flawless performance by CQP with some of the passing in particular leaving a lot to be desired but overall the team have to be congratulated for a performance which showed considerable grit and determination. A very well earned win. With Stewarts Melville losing 25-19 at home to Dundee HSFP CQP are now ten points ahead of them with a substantially better points differential. There are still five games left to play but CQPs prospects of playing in National 1 next season are now looking very much better. The players and coaching staff deserve the highest praise for their commitment.