Jed-Forest v Cartha Queen's Park

Jed-Forest v Cartha Queen's Park Sat 6th Sept. 2018.

Report by guest reporter Norrie McLeish a Jedburgh resident who played his senior rugby with Queen's Park FP.

A beautiful sunny afternoon at Riverside Park. Perfect conditions for an open game.

Within two minutes Jed pack tumbled over after a short siege on the CQP line. After five minutes the Jed fly half ambled over after the CQP line was breached. 14-0. Jed were launching attack after attack and despite resolute defending the CQP line was breached again 21-0. When CQP did get possession they lacked penetration and were under constant pressure. Jed added two further tries and the score moved to 33-0. Three minutes before halftime Jed paid the price for over confidence by a fine piece of play completed by Jacob Adamson. 33-7 Three minutes later saw the CQP forwards drove the Jed pack back allowing Jake Graham to touch down.

Half Time 33-12.

The CQP pack were beginning to dominate their opponents and started to provide good ball to the backs but some awkward passing meant no return on the forwards good work. Right wing Jacob Addison impressed with a couple of mazy runs with an impressive sidestep.
On the fifty minute mark the CQP forwards engineered a well worked try 38-19. CQP's passing was letting them down and Jed took advantage scoring again. 43-19. Up front CQP were beginning to dominate the set piece and a Jed forward was yellow carded. CQP took full advantage and Gregg Gilmour got the touchdown to give CQP a four try bonus point. 43-26. At this point the Jed support was starting to get a bit anxious. Some careless passing by the CQP lead to an interception try by Gregor Young. 50-26. CQP were tiring and some further careless passing saw the same Jed player add another try. 57-26. In the last play Gregor Young sprinted past the CQP defence to touch down and move the final score to 64-26.

Summary. The weather conditions were perfect for Jed's brand of open rugby. After a shaky start the CQP forwards dominated but the backs could not capitalise. Dropped and careless passes were punished heavily by a hungry Jed back division. Although the score line suggests a heavy defeat if CQP were to minimise basic errors and look to their passing skills the scoreline would have been much closer. The CQP forwards emerged with credit.