Border Telegraph | Sport | Gala's unbeaten run continues

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 31st October, 2007 10:30

Gala's unbeaten run continues

By Laing Spears

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Chris Weir battles over the line for Gala's opening try.

GALA have far and away the best defensive record of all the 36 teams in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership.

Saturday’s deserved win was another demonstration of how the side’s tackling and cover have become such vital elements in the unbeaten run of nine games.

Time and again - especially in the first half - Perthshire threatened the home line, but with Fraser Thomson in resolute form, and stout support all round, the physically strong visitors managed only one try all afternoon.

It was a game that presented Gala with a few problems.

Perthshire carried as much pace as any opponents this season, and their full back James Fleming was one of the outstanding players of the day.

Perthshire’s big pack had a good first half, but Gala looked better organised overall and made a critical change in the front row at the interval.

The experience of Alan Johnston and the strength of the young and promising Tim Archibald helped turn the forward battle Gala’s way, and Perthshire, if not quite crumbling, were definitely forced on to the back foot in the scrums.

Gala had to struggle to retain possession in some of the loose play, and there were too many turnovers for their comfort.

But there has never been a question mark over their fitness this season and they outlasted a team which has already scored over a hundred points in a game this year.

Coach Gary Parker said that Perthshire had asked a few questions until they ran out of steam.

Gala had needed patience, but the side was playing a quicker game this year and they were able to get people into the right spaces.

“Kirkcaldy will be the hardest game so far,” he said, looking ahead to Saturday, “but we’ve got to get out of this league very quickly - the longer you stay in it the harder it is - the other teams get the measure of you.”

Injuries are upsetting the balance of the team, with Stevie Craig not likely to be back for a week or two, and Lee Kibble suffering an ankle injury which caused some anxiety on Saturday night.

In addition, backrow man Graeme Bryce has another two weeks on the sidelines following his red card at Berwick.

Gala made a hash of collecting the opening kick, lost a turnover, and Rob Mitchell picked up a quick penalty for Perthshire.

He missed a second chance, but his side were in control and Gala were struggling in the first quarter.

With Ryan Ormiston replacing the injured Kibble, Gala fought their way to the Perthshire line and Chris Weir battled over after Gala won a tight maul.

Andy McLean’s conversion was followed by one of the outstanding periods of the game, Fleming’s strong run to the right- hand corner bringing out the best in Thomson in a fine tackle.

There was little better in the game than the resolution of the Gala fullback’s tackling.

Mitchell’s second penalty again sparked off a Gala revival and Ross Livingston scored after a fine penetration by McLean, who added the conversion.

A half time lead of 14-6 slightly flattered Gala, but the interval changes injected some momentum to the pack.

It was against the run of play when Craig Assenti scored down the left hand side, profiting from a lucky rebound.

Thomson’s natural attacking game began to come into play and he scored after creating space for himself.

Then the full back finished off some good work by McLean for his 14th try of the season, the highest number by a Gala back for 10 years.

Gala were scarcely cutting loose, but had little difficulty in taking charge.

McLean kicked well for position, Archibald had the crowd behind him in a solo burst for the line, Tom Weir released Lawrence Lemmon for the fifth try of the day, and then the Gala No. 8 collected a try for himself in injury time.

Gala’s consistency was better than in the previous two games, which should suit them well in the preparations for their visit to a ground where they have lost only once on their last six visits.

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