KELSO won their first Border 2020 Cup in eight years after defeating Gala by eight wickets at Shedden Park.

The Tweedsiders looked to be in some trouble when they were reduced for 26 for 2 in reply to Gala’s modest total of 91 for 6.

But Australian Jimmy Takos and Stevie Patterson saw the Championship team home with an unbeaten stand of 66.

Gala won the toss and chose to bat on an overcast day which saw rain through the majority of Gala’s innings.

Rory Hawes started brightly but when he holed out to fellow New Zealander Mason Hughes on the boundary for 16, Gala collapsed.

They were reduced to 66 for 6 but managed to get up to 91 thanks to a late rally, with Dean Moir scoring 12 not out. Greg Davidson took 3 for 14 in a fine spell for Kelso.

In reply, Gala’s bowled tightly with Moir again showing some late season form this time with the ball, claiming the wicket of Hughes for 16 to finish 1 for 21 from his four overs.

With Tom Grindell also bowled for nine, Gala sensed a chance to reclaim the trophy for the third time in a row.

But veteran Patterson (29 not out) and Takos (34 not out) batted sensibly to take their side to victory in the 18th over.

Gala

R. Hawes ct M. Hughes b G. Davidson 16

R. Pringle b G. Davidson 4

K. Gallagher ct D. Wilson b G. Davidson 1

D. Millar b S. Cessford 8

J. Halls ct G. Davidson b M. Hughes 7

H. Rutherford not out 29

F. Rutherford ct D. Wilson b M. Hughes 1

D. Moir not out 12

Extras – 13

Total – 91 for six wickets

S. Cessford 4-0-20-1; C. Davidson 4-0-15-0; G. Davidson 4-0-14-3; M. Hughes 4-0-12-2; F. Sultan 2-0-7-0; S. Patterson 2-0-16-0

Kelso

T. Grindell b H. Rutherford 9

M. Hughes ct D. Millar b D. Moir 16

J. Takos not out 34

S. Patterson not out 29

Extras – 5

Total – 92 for two wickets

R. Pringle 2.2-0-16-0; D. Moir 4-0-21-1; H. Rutherford 4-0-10-1; R. Hawes 4-0-20-0; J. Halls 3-0-22-0.