RETURNING Kris Mein produced an inspired bowling spell to help Gala to a vital Championship win over Carlton 2nds.

In his first game for two seasons, Mein took three wickets in five balls to reduce Carlton from 194 for 1 to 196 for 4 in pursuit of Gala's 257 for 6.

A youthful Carlton side eventually slumped to 237 all out despite a brilliant hundred from captain Andrew Meyer.

On a scorching day at Meigle Park, unsurprisingly Gala batted first, with regular bowlers Dinesh Tharanga, Robbie Pringle and Robbie Irvine missing.

They got off to a solid start with Jack Halls (29) and David Boland (27),

However, both openers and Josh Irvine were dismissed as Gala were reduced to 97 for 3 in the 27th over.

Duncan Millar (55) and Ash Rhode (50) put on a vital 98 run partnership and when both were out, Gregor and Kris Mein and Graeme Ormiston all scored quickly to take Gala to their highest score of the season.

Ben Thurman fell early in Carlton's response, but they looked set to win the game as Meyer (101) and Parker Neame (87) batted well to put on 169 runs.

But when Neame was bowled by Kris Mein, Carlton collapsed.

And when Meyer became the sixth man out, the game was over, with Nick McIntyre (3/34) mopping up the tail. Kris Mein finished with four for 42.

Gala

J. Halls ct & b A. Meyer 29

D. Boland ct R. Armour b S. Khan 27

J. Irvine ct R. Main b A. Meyer 15

D. Millar ct A. Meyer b M. Brown 55

A. Rhode run out 50

G. Mein ct A. Meyer b M. Brown 16

K. Mein not out 15

G. Ormiston not out 16

Extras - 34

Total - 257 for six wickets

M. Brown 10-1-48-2; R. Allardice 10-0-35-0; S. Khan 8-0-37-1; M. Johnson 10-0-51-0; A. Meyer 7-1-28-2; P. Neame 5-0-40-0.

Carlton 2nds

A. Meyer run out (D. Millar) 101

B. Thurman run out (A. Rhode) 16

P. Neame b K. Mein 87

C. Marshall b K. Mein 0

R. Main lbw K. Mein 0

R. Armour ct J. Halls b N. McIntyre 8

G. McIntyre ct J. Irvine b A. Rhode 6

R. Allardice ct D. Millar b K. Mein 0

M. Brown b N. McIntyre 7

S. Khan not out 2

M. Johnson b N. McIntyre 1

Extras - 9

Total - 237 for ten wickets

K. Mein 10-0-42-4 N. McIntyre 8-1-34-3; J. Irvine 2-0-22-0; A. Rhode 9-1-42-1; G. Mein 10-1-41-0; J. Halls 9-0-50-0.