Gala 0

Heriot’s 26

Atholl Innes at Netherdale

GALA’S battle to stay in the Premiership continues - but with time running out after yet another home defeat on Saturday at Netherdale and only two games remaining.

Captain Graham Speirs remains optimistic that they can beat the drop with a match at Hawick and a home clash with Boroughmuir before the middle of next month.

“It was disappointing to get nothing out of the game, but we were delighted with the reaction of the boys after the defeat by Watsonians,” he said.

“We can walk off with our heads high, but it was typical of a game between a team at the top and one at the bottom.

“We showed by our intensity that there is still a bit of fight left in us. It gives us a good footing and the cup match against Hawick will give us a fresh focus.

"The games we have left are against sides in the same position as us. These are eight-point matches.

“We can still get out of the relegation spot. By no means do we think we are out of the running.”

It was the first Premiership match this season that the hosts had failed to trouble the scoreboard, and despite a valiant effort, Gala had to play second fiddle to a side eyeing up a play-off place.

“Our intention was to play with as much ambition as possible as Gala were at home and desperate to win. It took us until the 89th minute to get the final score. We did not have to get a bonus point, but it eases the pressure,” said Heriot’s coach Phil Smith.

Charlie Simpson scored two tries at appropriate times, the first after five minutes and the final one as the clock ticked down.

Gala were still in contention at the interval, Simpson’s first score separating the sides. Twice referee Keith Allen said that Heriot’s were held up over the line.

Gala also lost Harry Borthwick to injury, to be replaced by Rob Louw, but after the break, Heriot’s gained a stranglehold despite Gala’s resilience and efforts to breach the defence.

Michael Liness was driven over for a try before Gavin Parker scored and Simpson raced away for the last try, substitute Andrew Simmers kicking all three conversions to secure the points and leave Gala fighting for survival.

Gala: G. Speirs; R. Combe, D. Burrows, L. Berg, C. Robertson; G. Hunter, G. Lott; C. Keen, M. Carryer, T. Skeet, C. Weir, S. Johnstone, G. Adams, F. Hunter, H. Borthwick. Replacements: D. Brooker, S. Chapman, R. Louw, G. Mein, P. Hendry.