CQP win through in dramatic rollercoaster game

Dundee High v Cartha Queen's Park Jan 12th 2019

The game took place in dry conditions with a slight breeze blowing in Dundee's favour in the first half. CQP dominated the early part of this game and it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring with a try by Juan Phyfer which Turkey converted with sixteen minutes on the clock. Five minutes later CQP increased their lead with second try. The scorer was Jake Graham. Turkey converted and CQP had a fourteen point lead. Only two minutes later Peter Hollier scored CQP's third try which went unconverted. With five minutes of the half left to play Dundee got on the scoreboard with an unconverted try and then added a second just before the break which they did convert.

HT Dundee HS 12 CQP 19.

Immediately after the start of the second half CQP got their try bonus fourth try courtesy of Jonny Campion after a fine break through the middle by Graham Williamson. The conversion moved the score to 26-12 and eleven minutes later from a penalty Turkey moved the score to 29-12. At this position CQP looked favourites to be the winners. Calum Dickson came on as a sub with seven minutes played but was yellow carded ten minutes later and with CQP a man short Dundee took full advantage scoring three tries within a seven minute period the third of which was a penalty try after Dundee grub reed the ball into the in goal area and Ewan Campbell was adjudged to have impeded the Dundee player following the ball. This turnaround put Dundee into the the lead 33-29 with about twelve more minutes of regulation time left. With only a minute of time left on the clock Ryan Flett found a gap in the Dundee defence and scored between the posts. Jake Graham converted but there was apparently four minutes of injury time left. With time running out Dundee were awarded a penalty about ten metres inside the CQP half. Dundee opted to put the ball into touch and CQP found themselves defending a line out about ten metres from their own line. They managed to prevent Dundee from getting to their line eventually winning the ball and running down the clock. with some take and drives before directing the ball into touch when they knew it was the last play.

Final Score Dundee HS 33 CQP 36.

The diehards travelled today were cautiously optimistic about CQPs prospects for this game in the knowledge of those who had been missing through injury were back in the team. The yellow card for Calum had a major impact. It is not unusual for the team that has lost a player to the bin to concede a try while they are a player short but to lose three tries in this period is exceptional. Both sides tried to play open rugby but in a slightly different way. CQP were spreading the ball whereas the Dundee backs seemed readier to carry the ball. Fast passing was the order of the day but on several occasions this lead to handling errors by both sides. CQP have now played eight games away from home and have managed to win three. As the report shows the game swung one way and then the other. The CQP support was showing a mixture of joy and relief at the end. Those prone to biting their nails probably had none left at the end.

Meantime on the adjoining pitch CQPs seconds were tearing Dundee 2s apart with a 76-5 thrashing.