CQP vs Boroughmuir

The game was played at Lochinch as the CQP first XV pitch was waterlogged. Peter Hollier who-had been absent all season returned to the team.

CQP dominated the early part of this game but went down to fourteen players when Ryan Howie was yellow carded for a no arms tackle after twelve minutes of play. Two minutes later saw CQP take the lead with a successful Wayne Burrows penalty. Shortly after this Boroughmuir burst down the right hand side, broke through the attempted CQP tackle to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was successful and 'Muir had a 7-3 lead. With 34 minutes on the clock 'Muir increased their lead to 12-3 when they scored again down the right hand channel. Three minutes later saw CQP narrow the gap with a second successful penalty. Just before half time 'Muir punted a high ball into the CQP half where it was gathered by fullback Joshua McPhail. After a slight hesitation presumably because he was deciding whether to kick or run he set off like an express train simply and ran straight through the 'Muir defence for an excellent individual try which Wayne converted to give CQP a halftime lead of 13-12.

Early in the second half 'Muir lost a player to the sin bin for a scrum infringement. Sixteen minutes into the second half saw CQP increase their lead when Tony Lopez burst through the centre and made good ground before shipping to Callum Dickson who made more ground before passing to the backs who moved the ball out to the right wing for Juan Phyfer to score. The score was not converted. 'Muir hit back with a penalty conversion to move the score to 18-15 in CQP’s favour. With thirteen minutes left CQP mounted a prolonged attack on the 'Muir line. After several attempts to get over the line CQP changed tack and threw the ball out to the left wing where Tony Lopez was lurking with intent Tony gathered the pass and made the small distance to the line for CQPs third try. The conversion attempt fell short. The game continued with 'Muir desperately trying to get more points. A lot of the action was taking place in the centre and CQP were tackling effectively. With time almost up 'Muir were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they converted successfully and very shortly after that Matt Duncan blew for no side giving CQP victory by 23-18.

As a result of this victory and results elsewhere CQP now move up to sixth place in the league on 39 points.

CQP have no game next week but play Watson’s away the following week. With only seven games left it is now clear that CQP will retain their place in this league and may well end up finishing in their highest ever league position.

This was the day of the annual ex players lunch which had been attended in record numbers. It is to be hoped that as many of them as possible will choose to return to watch our three remaining league games.