Haynes kicked off the match which saw the home side start positively. McIntosh surged ahead and offloaded neatly to Smith who found himself swamped by defenders and turned over. Carnoustie looked to establish a territorial kicking game which saw Arbroath pinned back in their own half for large periods of time. Ever determined Skivington made several tremendous hits letting the opposition know the return match would be no pushover. Olliver and Skivington took turns to cover probing chips towards their try line but when an Arbroath defender was judged to have made a high tackle Carnoustie slotted the penalty from 10 metres out. Arbroath 0 – 3 Carnoustie.

In reply, Keillor sent up a huge up and under towards the Carnoustie winger who under pressure spilled the ball. The Arbroath pack were holding their own but once again territorial kicking saw them unable to escape their own half. Carnoustie were camped on the Arbroath try line and only stout defence from Watermeyer and Cowan kept the visitors at bay. The unbearable pressure made infringements unavoidable and Carnoustie fired 2 penalties in quick succession to make it Arbroath 0 – 9 Carnoustie at half time.

After putting in so much effort defensively for a half, many of the Arbroath players were starting to struggle. The game was now bogged down in midfield with both teams fully committed to every breakdown. The referee was being kept on his toes as both teams looked to forge any slight advantage they could. Carnoustie slotted over another penalty to make the score Arbroath 0 – 12 Carnoustie.

Once again the home side found themselves pinned back on their own try line and a mix up at the base of the scrum saw the opportunistic Carnoustie flanker plunge over for a demoralising uncovnerted try. Arbroath 0 – 17 Carnoustie.

The Arbroath attacks were now sporadic with Carnoustie always seeming to have a covering tackler. Gray was as incisive as always but all too often found himself isolated from his support. Carnoustie slotted another easy penalty chance to give them further breathing space. Arbroath 0 – 20 Carnoustie.

Siddall was introduced to the action and despite his inexperience acquitted himself well by making some big hits in the loose. A punt down the field from the Carnoustie fly half saw Keillor slip as he moved to gather it to allow the chasing attackers to scoop up and score unopposed under the posts. Arbroath 0 – 25 Carnoustie.

Carnoustie’s tactical kicking game was paying dividends and two quick fire tries saw them take an unassailable lead. Arbroath 0 – 37 Carnoustie.

By now beaten but unbowed Arbroath surged forward with one last hurrah. Hall made initial inroads to set up attacking position 5 metres from the Carnoustie try line. Olliver picked and drove skittling two defenders in his wake. Man of the match Skivington received a pop pass from Cargill and with the support of Cowan smashed over the try line for a consolation score. Arbroath 7 – 37 Carnoustie.

Team: Smith, Spink, Hall, McIntosh, Yuill, Olliver, Cowan, Gilly, D Cargill, Haynes, Gray, Watermeyer, Skivington, Williams, Keillor, Ralston, Johnston, Siddall, G Cargill, Beveridge