CQP go down by 5 tried to 3 to well organised Gala team

CQP v GALA Sat 8 Sept 2018

The match was played on a pleasant afternoon. CQP introduced new player Albert Hondros at number 2.

The scoring opened with a successful penalty for Gala.CQP responded with a try by Callum Dickson close to the corner flag. The try was not converted but CQP held a 5 - 3 lead. Gala fought back and scored an unconverted try followed by a successful penalty conversion by Wayne Burrows with eleven minutes on the clock. This was followed by a well directed kick by Wayne into the in-goal area which saw Liam Howieson get the touchdown. The try went uncoverted but CQP now had a 13 - 8 lead with seventeen minutes played. Four minutes later saw Gala reduce the leeway to 13 - 11 from a penalty in front of the posts. Before half time was reached Gala had added two further tries from take and drives off their line out ball to move the score to 13 - 23 where it stood at halftime. The principal difference between the teams was that CQP were conceding more penalties than Gala.

Gregg Gilmour replaced Albert at the break. Shortly after the second half started Graeme Docherty gathered ball close to the touch line and about twenty metres inside his own half and broke free running at full pace to the Gala line with a Gala man shadowing him to his inside thus preventing Graeme from cutting in when he crossed the Gala line. This excellent individual try went unconverted but Gala’s lead had now been cut to five points. Gala hit back within five minutes scoring their fifth try which was converted and the score moved to 18 - 30 in their favour. There was no more scoring but both teams kept trying to add to their tally. CQP were defending well but letting themselves down by conceding too many penalties. Ewen Campbell, Graham Williamson and Juan Phyfer were all prominent in these CQP attacks.

Just before the end of this game there some fisticuffs on the far side of the pitch which saw the referee and his touch judge have a very long discussion which lead to Gala number 3 and CQPs Ryan Howie being red carded. In addition Mark Barrowman who had been substituted and was therefore no longer on the field of play was also red carded for involving himself in the fracas. The final whistle blew a few minutes later to give Gala victory by 30 points to 18.

From a CQP perspective this was a very frustrating game to watch. Too often promising CQP attacks resulted in a penalty conceded at the breakdown. If CQP are to make an impression in this league they will have stop shooting themselves in the foot.

Next up Hamilton away next Saturday