Border Telegraph | Sport | Division 2 here we come as Gala bounce back

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 10:00

Division 2 here we come as Gala bounce back

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Irvine 8 v Gala 34

GALA travelled to Irvine on Saturday knowing that a victory with a bonus point would secure promotion.

This they duly managed with a bit to spare.

The biggest problem the Gala support, of which there were many, was indeed finding the ground.

However, by three o’clock everyone was in place and raring to go. Gala got of to a very nervous start which in fairness spread throughout the game which was understandable with so much at stake.

Irvine made there way deep into the Gala half and after only five minutes saw their No. 8 Filander barge over in the corner for an unconverted try, giving the home side an early advantage.

Soon after, however, Gala came more into the game and were pressing for an equalising try at every opportunity.

Chris Dalgleish did cross for a try only to be pulled back for a foot in touch, but the same player was not be denied a few minutes later when he crossed over to draw the scores level.

Five minutes later and Gala were in front with Tom Weir picking up from the base of the scrum and managing to dive over in the corner.

A strange incident was to occur immediately after the restart when the referee blew up to stop the game only to announce that he had injured himself and could not continue.

After a short discussion and with an agreement with Irvine, Davie Dods the former Gala whistler who was acting as bus driver for the day took over and allowed to the game to continue.

Ten minutes later Gala stretched there lead when from a quick tap penalty Ben Murray who had just came on for the injured Malky Horsburgh ran in for a well worked try which this time Mclean was able to convert.

With half-time approaching Irvine made a rare visit into the Gala half and were denied three points when a penalty attempt came of the post.

However, seconds later there stand off Stewart dropped a neat goal to make the half time score 17 – 8 in Gala’s favour.

With wind advantage in the second half, it wasn’t long before Gala found themselves deep into Irvine territory.

After a few pops at the Irvine line the Gala support were maybe thinking that the vital fourth try was not to be.

Their doubts were soon over when some excellent handling saw Fraser Thomson cross for a try, which again Mclean converted.

With the bonus point secure Gala could relax and play some expansive rugby.

This they did, but just as before errors crept into the play and the tries did not come easily.

Ben Murray again crossed for Gala only to be pulled back for a forward pass, which gave the Gala support the opportunity to give Mr Dods some good natured abuse.

Gala were not be denied and from a push over scrum Tom Weir touched down for his second try of the game.

After this try, the Gala coaches rang the changes with Craig Hogg replacing Alan Johnstone, Ross Lyndsay replacing Scott Chapman and Mike Christie replacing skipper Stevie Scott, who had played most of the game with a badly cut ear.

With the clock winding down, Gala again found themselves on the score sheet with young Ross Lyndsay going over for a try after a very pacy move from the backs.

Soon after the final whistle blew and Gala were home and dry and back into Division Two.

Gala: Fraser Thomson, Lee Kibble, James O Neill, Scott Chapman, Chris Dalgleish, Andy Mclean, Lawrence Lemmon, Alan Johnstone, Stevie Scott, Tim Archibald, Chris Weir, Malcolm Horsburgh, Tim Miskelly, Gareth Brown, Tom Weir.

Subs all used: Ross Lyndsay, Craig Hogg, Michael Christie and Ben Murray.

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