On Sunday 22 April 2018 the SEMI FINAL West U16 Shield match took place at Cartha Queens Park ground involving Cartha QP and Stewartry Under 16 rugby teams.
The game kicked off and Cartha soon gained control of the ball and made progress with their big powerful forwards. Stewartry were tackling well but not able to keep Cartha from getting over the gain line. After 2 minutes of Stewatry tackling and defending Cartha burst over near the corner to gain the first score. After 6 minutes Stewartry managed to gain some possession make some metres with forward drives but a dropped pass allowed Cartha to gain control.
They again picked and drove using their big forwards and centres to punch holes in Stewartry defence. Cartha shipped the ball along their backs and scored under the posts. After the restart Stewartry showed some real attacking prowess with forward drives and some superb rucking to keep the ball from Cartha.
On the 22 metre line Cartha infringed and Peter Young kicked the penalty. After the restart Stewartry failed to control the ball from kickoff allowing Cartha an attacking scrum. Several good tackles by Stewartry backs were not enough to stop Cartha gaining a try out wide. Stewartry again made good progress near the Cartha line.
Poor line out play allowed Cartha of the hook and from the ruck Cartha backs stole the ball and made great progress down the wing to score in the corner. Half Time Cartha 24 – Stewartry 3.
The second half started well for Stewartry making useful ground down wind. However, poor line out decision making allows Cartha to clear their lines easily. About 10 minutes into the half Cartha began to take more control with their big back line punching holes in Stewartry defence who were tackling themselves to a standstill.
Cartha score 3 tries in quick succession as the Stewartry defence stated to wain. After the restart Stewartry gained some great ground and won a quickly taken line out and made ground toward the Cartha line. Stewartry passed it along the line and cartha encroached office in the centre in line with then posts. Fraser Forsyth took a quick tap and passed to Zak Hunter who ran straight at Cartha defence chipped the ball over the top and retried the ball on the bounce and scored near the posts.
An intuitive clever piece of thinking by the front row forward. Stewartry were starting to tire and the tackling was becoming less efficient and this allowed the big Cartha backs to score twice near the end. Cartha played really well with their No 10 running the game impressively and their big powerful forwards and backs punching holes in Stewartry defence.
However, they knew they were in a game with the Stewartry boys which provided some feisty moments. Stewartry boys can all take great credit for their persistence and non stop work rate trying to combat the big powerful runners of Cartha. It was no disgrace to lose to very efficient and powerful team like Cartha Queens Park.
Final Score – Cartha Queens park 58 – Stewartry 10
Stewartry Scorers – Zak Hunter – 1 Try Peter Young – 1 Penalty 1 Conversion.
