THERE was a familiar feeling on Saturday at Penicuik as another Gala batting slump and a lacklustre display in the field led to the home side Penicuik eventually easing their way to a seven wicket victory against the Braw Lads.

With the start of the match being delayed to 1.50pm and the overs being reduced to 40 overs per side, Gala were asked to bat on a track favourable for batting. Opener Kevin Gallagher was unlucky to knick behind a loose delivery early on.

However, Josh Irvine joined Jack Halls at the crease and the pair gradually recovered from the early loss and started to accelerate the scoring. Gala looked in a solid position at drinks on 84 for 1.

The pair then took the score up to 108, bringing up their 100 partnership, with Irvine racing to a well made 50. Halls (40) was then caught at cover off Tait and Irvine (54) followed soon after leaving Gala a decent platform on 110 for 3 off 25 overs.

Duncan Millar (12) and Aashiq Rhode (42) continued to accelerate the scoring rate, with both men finding the boundary. However, Millar’s stay was cut short after he was caught well on the long on boundary. Rhode continued to score but wickets began tumbling at the other end with Gregor Mein departing after a big six over long off and both Robbie Pringle and Dinesh Tharanga being dismissed for golden ducks in back to back deliveries. Graeme Ormiston survived the hat-trick ball but fell soon after.

Dean Moir and Ross Patterson then came together to take Gala’s score up to 195 for 9 off their 40. Gala would have hoped for a score over 200 having been in a good position on 178 for 4 after 35.

In reply, Penicuik started solidly but lost opener Callum Steel after he was trapped LBW by Rhode for 8, leaving the hosts on 20 for 1. Another wicket came soon after, with Rhode claiming Kristopher Steel after a good catch from Ross Patterson at mid on. Penicuik were now 38 for 2 off 13 overs and Gala were feeling they were very much on top of the game.

However, opener Matthew Foulds and overseas Nik Cartas played themselves in and built a magnificent partnership of 156, with both men giving very few chances to the Gala field. Foulds was eventually bowled by Dinesh Tharanga after a chanceless 85 but it was too late for Gala, with the home side only needing 6 to win from two and a half overs. Chris Cash then joined Kartas and the pair sealed the deal for Penicuik, with Aussie Kartas finishing up on a well made 83 not out.

Gala will be disappointed with their performance with the ball after Penicuik managed to chase 126 from 20 overs after the drinks break.

Gala

J.Halls ct K.Steel b F.Tait 40

K.Gallagher ct M.Foulds b C.Ashforth 1

J.Irvine ct C.Cash b L.Hill 54

D.Millar ct C.Cash b C.Steel 12

A.Rhode b C.Bradley 42

G.Mein ct C.Bradley b C.Steel 7

R.Pringle b C.Bradley 0

D.Tharanga ct M.Foulds b C.Bradley 0

G.Ormiston LBW C.Bradley 1

D.Moir not out 3

R.Patterson not out 1

Total: 195 for 9 wickets

Extras: 34

C.Bradley 8-1-19-4 C.Ashforth 8-0-33-1 L.Hill 8-0-36-1 C.Steel 6-0-40-2 N.Kartas 6-0-27-0 F.Tait 4-0-26-0

Penicuik

M.Foulds b D.Tharanga 85

C.Steel LBW A.Rhode 8

K.Steel ct R.Patterson b A.Rhode 5

N.Kartas not out 83

C.Cash not out 1

Total: 196 for 3 wickets

Extras: 14

R.Pringle 8-1-38-0 D.Tharanga 7-0-33-1 A.Rhode 8-0-21-2 D.Moir 8-0-52-0 G.Mein 5-0-24-0 J.Irvine 2.1-0-23-0