Gala 25– 10 Melrose

THIRD-PLACED Melrose missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Ayr at the top of the Premiership after slipping up against second-bottom Gala at a rain-soaked Netherdale.

The Borders derby was one of only two games to survive the storm hit fixture card on Saturday, with champions Heriot's, currently in second place, losing at home to Glasgow Hawks in the other match.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, Melrose had led 10-3 at half-time. But Gala used the conditions in their favour in the second half to turn the scores around and record only their fourth win of the season.

Melrose kicked off the match – a Premiership and Border League double header - and were quickly ahead. Joe Helps notched a penalty inside the opening minute.

The visitors extended their lead soon after when James Head touched down, with Helps adding the conversion, to give Melrose a 10-0 lead.

And, as Gala struggled against the driving wind and rain, it could have been worse as Melrose continued to pile on the pressure. Helps missed two penalties – albeit from inside his own half.

But the Maroons, who have shown much improvement in recent weeks, showed greater resolve than they have done in the early part of the season.

And David O'Hagan pulled a penalty back for the home side just before half-time with the first half finishing Gala 3, Melrose 10.

Gala came storming out at the start of the second half as Melrose battled the elements. And they were rewarded with a Graham Speirs try in the 46th minute. But O'Hagan missed the chance to equalise the scores as the conversion went wide, as did a long range penalty kick midway through the half as he attempted to take advantage of the conditions.

But the Maroons remained on the front foot and, just after the hour mark, eventually found the break they were looking for. Replacement Craig Robertson sent Speirs through into space for his and Gala's second try. And O'Hagan added the conversion to put Gala ahead for the first time in the match, 15-10.

The Maroons secured the victory with a third try, from Richard Todd, five minutes from the end, which O'Hagan converted, to a roar of delight from the home fans.

And, as the referee prepared to blow for full-time, O'Hagan rounded off the scoring with a mammoth penalty kick from the half-way line to make the final score Gala 25, Melrose 10. The result moves Gala to within two points of third-bottom Boroughmuir - and safety.