The game was preceded by a minutes silence in respect of long time CQP member Derek Blackshaw who had been knocked down and killed by a car while on foot the previous night.

There had been heavy rain overnight which fortunately eased off once the match got underway. Recent pitch work by Keith Pender and his team had ensured that there was no lying water. The team showed a few changes from the team which had faced Boroughmuir, these included the return of Big G and Brick. It was clear from an early stage that both sides were intent on playing open rugby but the first score went to CQP from a five metre scrum when they pushed Watson’s over their line with the touchdown being achieved by coach and scrum half Tam Davidson. The try was scored well out from the posts but Wayne Burrows converted to give CQP a seven point lead with just under a quarter of the game played. From the kick off CQP we’re penalised for failure to release and Watsons put the ball into touch. Watson’s line out worked well throughout but CQP competed well. The CQP line out which had given rise to problems in the previous game worked much better in this game. With twenty seven minutes played Watson’s went down to fourteen when one of their players was binned for a deliberate knock on in the course of trying to stop a CQP attack. With twenty nine minutes played CQP attacked down the left wing with Marcus Goodwin getting the try which went unconverted. With only three further minutes played a very well disciplined and effective forward drive saw CQP add a third try again credited to Marcus Goodwin. The try was converted by Turkey to give CQP a commanding nineteen point lead. Throughout the first half on several occasions the CQP pack worked very well as an eight clearly having the better of things in the tight. With halftime approaching CQP got their bonus point try again converted. This try was scored by Jacob Adamson. Watson’s were not prepared to just rollover and managed to cross the CQP line from close range. The conversion just squeezed inside the right hand post to move the score to 26-7. Just before the break Ewen Campbell was sin binned and shortly after this Watson’s added a second try in the last play before the break.

HT CQP 26 Watson’s 12

Early in the second half the Watson’s tight head left the field his replacement was apparently the Watson’s coach who claimed he could only play loosehead. The consequence of this was that for most of the second half the scrums went uncontested. From a CQP point of view this was to say the least unfortunate as CQP had been giving Watson’s a torrid time in the set piece and in driving mauls. With two thirds of the game played CQP went further ahead courtesy of a try by Cameron Patrick. Before the end Cameron McAndrew and Calum Dickson added a try each both of which were converted. For their part Watson’s got their third try before securing their four try bonus point in the last play.

FT CQP 47 Watson’s 24

CQP thoroughly deserved this victory which moves them off the bottom spot. There was much to be pleased about with this performance. As was mentioned in the previous report there are a lot of talented young players in this squad. As they gain match experience and become more familiar with each other’s play the likelihood is that the results will get better. This a high quality league featuring all six super six clubs amateur teams. Looking forward we are entitled to be optimistic for the club’s future. Next up is a difficult away match at the Greenyards against Melrose who have just lost their 100 percent record going down 20- 5 to Biggar away.