CQP vs Dundee HSFP

Cartha QP v Dundee HSFP 29 Feb 2020

CQP come up just short in dramatic fight back.

With CQP in a safe position in the league it had been decided to bring in a number of lads who had been playing for the under eighteens this season including some seventeen year olds. The game was played in unpleasant weather conditions on the artificial surface at Lochinch.

CQP kicked off with wind at their back but it was Dundee who dominated in the early stages and it was no surprise when they took the lead after fifteen minutes with an unconverted try. Eight minutes later they added a second try and with seven minutes left in the first half Dundee pushed further ahead with a third try which was converted to give them a 17 point lead. Just before half time one of the Dundee players sustained a serious injury. An ambulance was called but Dundee had medical support with them and the player was given a lot of on field attention before being stretchered off. By this time both teams had retired to the dressing rooms.

The game restarted as though half time had been reached and CQP reduced the leeway with a try in the corner by Juan Phyfe. The try was not converted. Dundee hit back with a fourth try to push them into a 24-5 lead. CQP were not out of it yet and a fine try by left winger Isaac Mitchel in which he jinked past three Dundee defenders saw the score move to 24-12. Fairly soon after this captain Wayne Burrows picked up a pass from Graham Williamson and surged out of defence down the centre. There was no one in an immediate support position to assist Wayne who decided to go all out on his own showing pace that maybe even he didn’t think he had to score between the posts. This converted try moved the score to 24-19 but a successful penalty for Dundee saw CQP out of the points again. Before the end number eight Alex Geddes scored between the post and the score moved to 27-26 for the visitors. A CQP five metre scrum just before the end presented. CQP with an opportunity to pushover the Dundee line but the ball was picked up at the back of the scrum and the chance was lost.

Final score CQP 26 (2 points) Dundee 27(5 points).

Darren Know came on as a second half substitute and made a favourable impression. Juan Phyfer was adjudged CQP’s man of the match. This was a very young back line. Moving up from the under eighteens is quite a jump both in terms of pace of the game and physicality. Hopefully the youngsters moving up next season into the senior ranks will buy into the fitness programme which was successfully operated prior to the start of this season.

Next up Melrose away on March 7th.

At Dumbreck our seconds secured a first class five point victory over Hamilton Bulls by 41-27. Peter Hollier was adjudged CQP man of the match in that game. That victory puts the seconds into third place but Hamilton have games in hand and are likely to push back to third spot. CQP have one game left to play in this nine team league.