KELSO sit top of the East Championship after sealing a 66-run win over Gala at Meigle Park.

The Shedden Park men scored an imposing 248 for seven wickets, and while Gala batted gamely in their response, they were always behind the score rate to finish on 182 for eight.

New Gala captain Josh Irvine won the toss and put Kelso into bat first, but the homesters were struck with a big blow just four overs in as opening bowler Dinesh Tharanga had to leave the field with a calf injury.

But in the very next over, 14-year-old Jamie Crooks brilliantly run out Craig Adams with a direct hit, albeit it looked like the Kelso opener had made his ground.

Greg Davidson and Australian Sammy McMahon took the game to Gala until Robbie Pringle caught and bowled the latter for 23.

South African Michael Eckard joined Davidson and the pair upped the scoring rate as Kelso looked set to produce a big total, only for Josh Irvine to pull off a brilliant catch to dismiss Eckard for 40.

When Greg Davidson was out soon after for a well-constructed 48, Gala sensed a chance to pull themselves back into the game.

But Stevie Patterson (56) and Ben Grindell (46 not out) batted well to punish the bad ball and take Kelso’s score close to 250.

Gala debutant Nick McIntyre took 2 for 52 from his ten overs.

Gala started well in reply as Kevin Gallagher continued his good form from the Braw Lads’ win over Marchmont the previous week, until he was on the end of a poor decision to be adjudged caught behind off the bowling of Adams for 27.

Robbie Irvine followed soon after but Josh Irvine and Duncan Millar took the score close to 100 to keep Gala in the game, until both were dismissed lbw within a couple of balls by Callum Davidson.

Despite some clean hitting by Gregor Mein (22) and a brave innings of 34 not out by Tharanga – who had Gallagher as his able runner – Gala finished up on 182.

Callum Davidson claimed 3 for 36 while Eckard was 2 for 39.

Kelso

C Adams Run Out (J Crooks) 8

G Davidson bowled b J Irvine 48

S McMahon Ct & b R Pringle 23

M Eckard Ct J Irvine b G Mein 40

S Patterson b N McIntyre 56

B Grindell Not Out 46

M Henderson b N McIntyre 2

D Wilson Ct K Paterson b J Irvine 10

C Davidson Not Out 3

Extras – 12

Total – 248 for seven wickets

R. Pringle 9-1-48-1; D. Tharanga 2-1-2-0; R. Irvine 10-0-48-0; N. McIntyre 10-0-52-2; G. Mein 10-0-55-1; J. Irvine 9-0-40-2.

Gala

K Gallagher ct S McMahon b C Adams 27

R Irvine b C Davidson 20

J Irvine lbw b C Davidson 29

D Millar lbw b C Davidson 19

R Pringle Run Out (M Eckard) 18

G Mein b M Eckard 22

D Tharanga not out 34

N McIntyre ct M Henderson b S Patterson 5

R Patterson ct B Grindell b M Eckard 0

J Crooks not out 0

Extras - 8

Total – 182 for eight wickets

S. Cessford 5-0-13-0; G. Davidson 5-1-17-0; C. Adams 10-0-36-1; C. Davidson 10-0-36-1; S. Patterson 10-0-38-1; M. Eckard 10-0-39-2.