GALA Cricket Club will remain in the East Championship in 2018 following a league reconstruction saved them from relegation.

The Meigle Park men had finished second bottom of the Championship in their debut season in 2017 but due to Falkland pulling out of the league, Gala will not be demoted.

The league will include Kelso who will be aiming to win the title, as well as Edinburgh, Freuchie, Grange Seconds, Carlton Seconds, Dunnikier, Murrayfield DAFS, Musselburgh and Edinburgh Accies.

St Boswells remain in Division Two, while there will be Borders derby in Division Three as Selkirk and Hawick face each other after the Souters’ last day survival and the Teries’ Division Four title triumph last season.

Peebles County are in Division Four due to the league reshuffle, while Melrose will also compete in the same division having won Division Five.

And the Gala/Hawick Development side will compete in Division Seven.

Fixtures are due to be issued by the East League in January.

Meanwhile, Gala CC is looking for dynamic members of the community to get involved at Meigle Park in 2018.

Gala is on the first steps of a journey and have already made some great strides which resulted in the club winning Ettrick & Lauderdale's Club of the Year Award in November.

Secretary Kenny Paterson said: "We created our first five-year club strategy in 2016/17 - involving consultation with club members, CricketScotland and Sports Marketing Network who we work with as part of the Thriving Clubs Scheme.

The strategy has three main aims - community engagement, performance and participation. Since it was launched earlier this year, we have created four working groups and while we have had teething problems as expected with these things we are moving in the right direction."

Based on the strategy, the club has carried out a series of events at the club in 2017 mainly through the community engagement group, raising the profile of the club, providing the facilities to the community and raising some much needed funds.

The activities included a reunion, quiz, two sold out Tea in Tent events, junior registration night, Rowan Boland Trust Tournament, hospitality days, family gala day, gin night, sponsors day, sixes tournament, Ian Crooks Memorial Game to open the new artificial wicket, umpire/female changing room and sightscreens and a new shop window display in Galashiels town centre.

Gala last year hosted a Dog Walk with a local charity, have issued newsletters both online and in the local area and produce regular social media videos about the club, including a video to encourage people to get involved which has been viewed over 5,000 times.

And there is currently a shop front display in Douglas Bridge to promote the club to people within the town.

Kenny added: "We have plans to develop the club and the facilities further as a hub for Galashiels and beyond.

"And as can be seen, we are trying to be more than just a cricket club. So, whether you have any knowledge of or experience with cricket, or have a bit of time, some contacts or an idea or two, we would like to hear from you.

"We will not ask you to sit in hour-long committee meetings - we are just a friendly bunch who want to make a positive difference."

If you want to learn more, contact Kenny Paterson on 07913767871, email kppaterson@yahoo.co.uk or galacricketclub@gmail.com or contact the club through its social media pages.