A FIRST league century from Rory Hawes led Gala to a 160 run win over Morton at Meigle Park.

The New Zealander thumped 177 as Gala made a huge total of 367 for 6.

Their Edinburgh opponents fought back bravely as they raced to 100 in just 13 overs, but regular wickets saw them all out for 207.

With a superb wicket for batting and quick outfield, Gala captain Kevin Gallagher had an easy choice to make when he won the toss, deciding to bat.

But Gala were soon in trouble as Jack Halls and Graeme Ormiston departed early to leave the hosts 7 for 2.

Up stepped Hawes and Josh Irvine. The pair shared a 169 run partnership two days before against Hawick and did even better by making 181 runs against Morton.

Irvine was eventually out for 75 but Hawes, supported by Duncan Millar (30) and Gallagher (23) went on to make his second hundred in three days, scoring 18 fours and 5 sixes in the process. Goyal took 3 for 75 for Morton.

In reply, Morton opener Balu took the game to Gala but when he fell for an aggressive 87, followed by Aron for 53, it was game over as the Edinburgh men were all out after 42 overs.

Dinesh Tharanga (3 for 48) and Halls (3 for 58) lead the way for Gala, as well as the returning Gregor Mein who took 2 for 22.

Gala

R. Hawes ct S.C. Rayamanickhan b D. Goyal 177

J. Halls lbw D. Thangavel 0

G. Ormiston ct S. Aron b D. Thangavel 2

J. Irvine ct K. Balu b C. Kamble 75

D. Millar b D. Goyal 30

K. Gallagher b D. Goyal 23

R. Pringle not out 13

D. Tharanga not out 4

Extras – 42

Total – 367 for six wickets

Morton

K. Balu ct J. Irvine b J. Halls 87

S. Sardhar b D. Tharanga 12

M. Sudhanan ct & b J. Halls 14

S. Aron ct J. Halls b G. Mein 53

C. Kamble b D. Tharanga 16

D. Goyal ct J. Irvine b J. Halls 0

A. Madhaven ct J. Halls b G. Mein 5

S. Thangavel lbw D. Tharanga 4

D. Thangavel ct J. Halls b R. Pringle 3

S.C. Rayamanickhan not out 6

J. Sachdrva lbw R. Pringle 2

Extras – 6

Total – 207 for ten wickets