CQP well beaten by strong running Biggar

BIGGAR v CARTHA QP sat 16th Oct.2021.

On paper pre game this looked like a difficult game for CQP but there must always be hope. The match started badly for CQP when a CQP line out throw went long and was gathered by Biggar who opened their account within two minutes. Tam Davidson however came to the rescue when CQP hit back with a converted try by Wayne Burrows. It only took Biggar six minutes before they got their second try. Wayne then reduced the deficit with a successful penalty but before the break Biggar had crossed the CQP line three more times.

When the second half started CQP had their best spell in the game with some fine passing rugby which in the sixty second minute saw Michael Nellaney burst through a gap in the home defence for a second try for CQP which Wayne converted. This seemed to stir Biggar into further action leading to them gaining three further tries. Just before no side CQP added a third converted try when Cameron McAndrew took advantage of a gap in the Biggar defence.

FT Biggar 54 CQP 24.

Given that Biggar are top of the league this was always going to be a hard nut for CQP to crack. Biggar are a fit squad who drive in hard when they are in possession and tackle aggressively when they are defending. The principal difference between the teams lay in the fact that they had more power in their tank than CQP but CQP defended well and played some good running rugby with ball in hand. Although playing at twelve rather than ten Wayne Burrows took all the kicks from ground instead of David McCartney who was occupying the stand off position. The younger players who recently had been playing for the under eighteens showed considerable promise in this game. There is every reason to be optimistic when these lads gain more experience at this level and develop further physically.

It will take a very good team to come away from Hartree Mill with a win. It is still early in the season but the expectation has to be that this very well supported border club will end up being promoted at the end of the season.

Next up next Saturday is Highland at Dumbreck are Highland who spiked Melrose’s guns with a home victory on Saturday. They will obviously arrive with their tails up. The league seems to have broken into two parts with four teams locked at the bottom. If CQP can instil more power into there play in attack there is no reason why they should not be able to escape their present second bottom spot.