GALA were all but condemned to relegation to Division One after a 45 run loss to Freuchie.

Unless once again saved by decisions by other clubs to play or not to play in certain leagues – as was the case last season – Gala will be demoted, after running out of wickets in a run chase which appeared to be heading for an exciting conclusion.

On Gala’s Supporters Day, Freuchie were put into bat by home captain Dinesh Tharanga and it appeared a good decision when Dean Stonebridge played a woeful shot to lob the ball straight into the air for Duncan Millar to take the catch with the score on 6.

When Shane Munro and Robbie Wright both fell with the score on 52, Gala were right in the game but the experienced Robbie Birrell and captain Ian Stonebridge (34) punished some poor Gala bowling to put on 79 runs in quick time.

Josh Irvine claimed Stonebridge and Birrell followed – with Rory Hancock taking a smart catch - for an excellent knock of 80 with the score on 167 for 5.

Dale Cowan (21) and Greg Birrell (23 not out) then got the Fife visitors over the 200 mark and up to 208 for 7, a very competitive total.

Pick of the Gala bowlers was captain Tharanga who took 2 for 22 from his ten overs.

Gala’s response got off to a terrible start as they slumped to 45 for 5, with Wright producing an excellent spell to take 4 for 18.

But Gala’s lower order responded well, with firstly Dan Fisher making 32 before being run out in a mix up with Tharanga, and then Tharanga and Finlay Rutherford adding 45 before the latter was dismissed.

That brought Gregor Mein to the crease, who produced a thumping knock of 30 off 15 balls to pull Gala right back into the game.

Even when Mein fell to the bowling of David Cowan, Gala still had a good chance only needing around a run a ball.

But two run outs due to good fielding by Freuchie left Gala 45 runs short with more than seven overs left.

Thanks to all who attended Supporters Day and have backed the club this season.

Freuchie

R. Birrell ct R. Hancock b J. Halls 80

D. Stonebridge ct D. Millar b R. Irvine 4

S. Munro lbw D. Tharanga 12

R. Wright ct D. Millar b J. Halls 8

I. Stonebridge ct R. Hancock b J. Irvine 34

Dal Cowan ct N. Giofre b R. Irvine 21

G. Birrell not out 23

Dav Cowan lbw D. Tharanga 2

R. Hutchison not out 3

Extras – 21

Total – 208 for seven wickets

Gala

J. Halls b R. Wright 18

N. Giofre ct I. Stonebridge b R. Wright 4

R. Irvine lbw R. Wright 4

J. Irvine b R. Wright 4

D. Millar ct R. Hutchison b G. Birrell 3

D. Fisher run out (Dav Cowan) 32

D. Tharanga run out (I. Stonebridge) 26

F. Rutherford ct G. Birrell b Dav Cowan 18

G. Mein ct D. Stonebridge b Dav Cowan 30

J. Crooks run out (R. Wright) 6

R. Hancock not out 1

Extras – 17

Total – 163 for ten wickets