Big night under the lights....

Cartha Queen's Park v Ayr Friday 19th November

This game was originally scheduled to take place at Ayr on the Saturday but both clubs agreed to reverse the fixture and play under the lights at Dumbreck. The match was well attended with Ayr bringing a good support up the M77. From a conversation post match it was clear Ayr had anticipated a victory from this match. They did however courtesy of a try at the death which they converted manage to secure two points from this game. The game was played in dry conditions with a light diagonal wind blowing towards the Pollokshaws side. As a consequence of late arrivals your reporter missed almost a quarter of this match arriving on the touchline with the score standing at 12-5 in CQP’s favour. The first CQP try had been scored after only three minutes and had involved David McCartney, Chris Elliot and Callum Dickson getting the touchdown. The second try came from a line out with Mark Barrowman getting the touchdown. With sixteen minutes on the clock Ayr responded with an unconverted try to move the score to 12-5 in CQP’s favour. With thirty five minutes played Cameron Murray was yellow carded for a high tackle and from the penalty Ayr managed to secure their second try which went unconverted to move the score to 12-10 in CQP’s favour. Just before the break CQP courtesy of David McCartney converted another CQP penalty leaving the HT score at 15-10 to CQP.

With only four minutes of the second half played CQP added another successful penalty. After nine minutes of the second half played Ayr scored a converted try and the score moved to 18-17 in CQP’s favour. Ten minutes later Marcus Goodwin restored CQP’s lead to eight points with a converted try from the line out following a penalty. After a further nine minutes Ayr reduced their deficit to a point with a converted try to leave the score at 25-24. CQP then added a fifth try to their tally and the score moved to 37-24. Ayr put in a big last phase and were rewarded with a converted try to secure a losing bonus point to add to their try bonus. No side went soon after and CQP had secured a 37-31 victory over the team now sitting second top of this league. CQP had the edge up front with Ayr having a pacey back line.

At the end of the day the difference between the sides was the two successful penalties scored by Number 10 David McCartney who was later awarded Man of the Match.

Final score CQP 37 Ayr 31

Noticeably in this game Ayr scored immediately after the two yellow cards received by CQP with Ayr taking full advantage of their extra man. As a consequence of their five try success CQP now have nineteen points.

The CQP squad on this occasion had to do without the services of messes Williamson, Burrows and Hollier. In an earlier match report I said that the CQP support would have to be patient and give our numerous young players time to settle in to first fifteen rugby. It is very pleasing to report that the youngsters are settling in very well. There is still a long way to go in this league programme but there is evidence that CQP will still be in division one next season.

Next up Kelso away followed by current league leaders Heriots at home on December fourth.

A feature of this game and other recent games has been the quality of CQP’sdefensive tackling.