CQP run in five tries in well deserved away win

Boroughmuir v Cartha Queen’s Park Dec 11th 2021

The match took place in dreich conditions. CQP were able to field a strong team for this game with messrs Williamson, Hollier and Dickson all named in the starting line up. One noticeable absentee was Chris Wicks but he was replaced by Guzzler at eight.

Muir kicked off and within three minutes it looked as though CQP might take an early lead. The ball was passed out the line to the left and chipped into the Muir in goal area. Unfortunately on landing it spun to the left over the in goal touchline and the chance was gone. After nine minutes of play it looked as though a CQP attack would yield a score but the ref adjudged that the CQP attack had included a forward pass and resulted in a scrum to Muir. After fifteen minutes another CQP attack inside the Muir twenty two came to nothing when the ref adjudged that the move had involved crossing. It was starting to become clear that the two teams were adopting quite different strategies. CQP we’re taking every opportunity to move the ball along the back line. The ball was being moved quickly and skilfully. Muir on the other hand seemed to have determined that they would break through the CQP three quarter line by keeping the ball in hand. The CQP three quarter line was holding firm with several first class tackles being put in. After twenty two minutes the deadlock was broken when player Coach Tam Davidson scored in the left corner. The ball had been passed through at least five pairs of hands. David McCartneys attempted conversion was well short. After twenty seven minutes Stewart Hamilton (aka Shammy came on as a replacement for winger Sam Graham whom I learned later had been injured when he was pushed hard in the back by a Muir player when hedidn’t have ball. This incident was not spotted by the ref. Five minutes later a kick through into the Muir in goal area saw saw Christopher Elliott get to the ball first to touch down about twenty metres to the left of the post. David converted the try and the score moved to twelve nil in CQP’s favour.

CQP were continuing to play fast attractive rugby across the three quarter line and were rewarded when they scored a third try by winger Jacob Adamson. The try was not converted and the score moved to 17-0 in CQP’s favour where it stood at the break.

It was to be expected that Muir would hit back but in fact it was a fourth try for CQP that was the first score after the break when Christopher Elliot got his name on the scoreboard for the second time. The try which was about eleven minutes in was converted and CQP now had a commanding twenty four point lead.

Muir showed that they were not ready to give this game up and forced their way into the CQP twenty two and up to five metres from the CQP line where after one or two attempts they managed to smuggle the ball over the CQP line to give them a try which they converted. With twenty minutes played Mark Barrowman came off to be replaced by Ryan Howie. Two minutes later saw Graham Williamson (aka Big G) come off apparently with a hand injury. As Cammy McMillon had already been replaced by replaced by Zander Kelman and Callum Dickson had come off with stomach problems there were no forward subs left so Graham’s replacement was winger Tony Lopez. CQP next foray into the Muir half saw CQP break down the left side. Once again rather than try to get past the Muir fullback with ball in hand the CQP player chose to chip into the in goal area the supporting CQP player was adjudged to have knocked when attempting to ground it and the scoring opportunity was lost with Muir able to clear their lines from the resulting scrum. Shortly after this Shammy found himself with the ball in hand about thirty metres out from the Muir line on the stand side. Shammy switched on the afterburners and raced towards the Muir line at full pelt. He brushed past the Muir fullback but then chose to make further progress by resisting the temptation to touch the ball down until he had moved twenty metres nearer the posts. Unfortunately this attempt to make life easier for kicker David McCartney failed to produce the additional two points as the conversion while initially on target was caught by the wind and went past the outside of the right post. With the score is standing at 29-7 Muir rallied and scored two tries both converted before no side was blown to give a final score of Boroughmuir 19 Cartha Queens Park 29.

Later results revealed that Stirling County and Watsonians had both lost with neither side gaining any league points. Dundee’s game had been postponed because of weather conditions. As a result CQP have moved up to fifth bottom spot in the league with Melrose strong above them.

Prior to the start of the match Andy Crozier (president Ed’s son) had said that he anticipated a ten point win for CQP so well called Andy.

The bus journey back to Dumbreck was quick after the required stop off at Darby Sainsburys. By the way lads the choc ices that you handed out to the three oldies when you got back on the bus at Sainsburys were much appreciated.

This was a very important match for both clubs and while it is too early to confidently predict that CQP will be in National Division One next season it would be fair to say that the prospects of that being the case improved substantially yesterday. The Muir number eight who looked very much like a seasoned campaigner and we belief had played super six was outstanding.

Footnote
Prior to the game taking place Muir had handed out a note to all spectators explaining to them that both clubs had lost members since the last home game. In Muir’s case they had seen four members pass away and in CQP's case the passing of Morven Pollock who had been the womens captain for two seasons. All players and officials stood to attention silently for twenty seconds before applauding for a further twenty seconds.