DINESH Tharanga and Jamie Crooks led Gala to their first Championship win of the season with a four wicket triumph over relegation rivals Musselburgh.

Tharanga and 15 year old Crooks came into bat with the game in the balance - Gala needing another 38 runs with six wickets down.

But the pair batted sensibly, punishing the bad ball and defending the good ball, to see Gala home and spark Braw Lads’ Day celebrations.

On a good wicket and quick outfield on another stunning day at Meigle Park, Musselburgh unsurprisingly chose to bat first upon winning the toss, but lost opener Vignesh Devaraj early on to Robbie Irvine’s bowling.

Musselburgh put up some resistance but it was the introduction of Nick McIntyre (4 for 24) and Gregor Mein (3 for 26) which turned the game as the pair bowled superbly to reduce the visitors to 93 for 7.

But for the second week in a row, Gala were frustrated by the tail order, as Musselburgh added 51 runs for the last three wickets to reach 144 all out.

Gala also deserve some credit for sportingly allowing Joseph Ray to bat on rather than run him out after his batting partner Tom Middlemass hammered a shot at him, which left him lying injured in the middle of the wicket.

Gala got off to great start in reply as Jack Halls (30) and Nick Giofre (26) put on 64 for the first wicket.

But both fell in quick succession, which led to a series of wickets to fall and Gala to be reduced to 107 for 6, with Devaraj bowling well to take 3 for 20.

But Tharanga (18) and Crooks (15) held their nerves to see the home team to victory, with Tharanga hitting a six to complete the win in style.

Musselburgh

A. Tufail b D. Tharanga 19

V. Devraj lbw R. Irvine 5

V. Ramasubramanian ct J. Irvine b N. McIntyre 25

R. Tufail ct D. Fisher b N. McIntyre 7

A. Mohammad ct R. Irvine b N. McIntyre 23

H. Verma ct N. Giofre b N. McIntyre 1

E. Eyre lbw G. Mein 1

R. Duvvuri lbw G. Mein 18

C. Middlemass b G. Mein 6

J. Ray ct R. Pringle b J. Crooks 10

T. Middlemass not out 12

Extras – 17

Total – 144 for ten wickets

Gala

J. Halls b V. Devaraj 30

N. Giofre lbw b V. Ramasubramanian 26

R. Irvine ct A. Mohammed b V. Ramasubramanian 0

J. Irvine lbw V. Devaraj 17

F. Rutherford b V. Devaraj 5

D. Fisher ct H. Verma b V. Ramasubramanian 4

D. Tharanga not out 18

J. Crooks not out 15

Extras – 30

Total – 145 for six wickets