Now the Maroons will be looking to Glasgow Hawks to beat Currie to leave them in fourth position ahead of those play-offs.

Gala secured two bonus points, scoring four tries and a late Ewan Scott penalty ensuring a losing bonus point. But they will regret not cashing in on a late charge, destroyed only by a knock-on in the dying seconds of a close contest.

Coach George Graham praised his players for their contribution, but conceded that two tries midway in the second half, together with a huge mid-season blip, had allowed Currie to possibly cash in through the back door.

“We came close, but we sat back at times and they cut us up in that period in the second half. But we scored some good tries in the first half and then scored in the second and were back in the game,” he said.

“We are still sitting fourth, but the game between Currie and Hawks will be the big one. We have done all we can do.” It was threatened unlimited damage in the first half through Heriot’s powerful pack, and there were fears as George Turner was driven over the line and Graham Wilson, converted and went on to add two more and a penalty.

Gala, however, found their feet and a Craig Dods penalty was poor reward for all their efforts. However, when they did have the ball, they were a powerful source as Alan Emond scored the try from Craig Dods’ break to put them in front.

But Heriot’s regained control, and a break by Max Learmonth released Liam Steele for a try and Wilson converted. Jono Armstrong then got over the line before Scott Wilkinson rallied Gala with a try, and on the stroke of half-time Gavin Young went over in the left-hand corner and the visitors trailed only 18-21.

Gala started the second half in the ascendancy before Heriot’s took the lead with a Wilson penalty before Armstrong barged through weak tackling for a try.

Glenn Bryce found space to score in the left-hand corner, and it looked all over. Or was it? From a quick penalty, Rex Jeffrey went over and Scott converted and added a penalty after Armstrong was sent to the sin bin.

The final few minutes were dramatic as Heriot’s just hung as the top club in Scotland before the play-offs, which could result in the side ahead of the field losing out on the title. Whoever dreamt up this crazy idea?

Gala: C. Dods; G. Young, C. Auld, A. Emond, G. Shiells; R. Jeffrey, G. Graham; L. Pettie, C. MacIntosh, E. Johnstone, C. Weir, C. Borthwick, K. Mein, E. Dods, S. Wilkinson. Replacements: J. Hilterbrand, G. Robertson, O. Palepoi, E. Scott, K. Young.