GALA’S three year run as Presidents Trophy winners came to an abrupt end with a poor performance against Morton.

On a tricky Musselburgh wicket which had suffered from torrential rain the previous night, Gala could only muster 78 batting first, which their Edinburgh opponents passed in the 20th over for a seven wicket win.

Morton won the crucial toss and put the Borders side into bat, with Stevie Halls out for just 2. Jack Halls and Josh Irvine steadied the ship until Irvine was given out to a debatable lbw decision for 19.

From 36 for 2, Gala lost another five wickets for just 19 runs to slump to 55 for 7.

Only a late flurry by Scott Paterson, supported by Robbie Pringle, got Gala up to their meagre total of 78.

After a cagey start, Morton, who have been promoted and will play alongside Gala in Division One next season, took the attack to Gala, with Sekar leading from the front.

He was eventually out for 46 but led his side to within seven runs of victory, which was duly achieved.

Gala S Halls ct Sudhanan b Aron 2 J Halls ct Rajendren b Raja 10 J Irvine lbw b Kamble 19 D Boland ct Vadodaria b Kamble 9 G Ormiston lbw Raja 0 K Mein b Raja 4 K Gallagher ct Daniel b Raja 1 R Irvine b Kamble 0 S Paterson b Daniel 14 R Pringle ct Sub b Daniel 5 D Moir not out 0 Extras – 14 Total – 78 Morton A Sekar ct Boland b Moir 46 M Sudhaham lbw Mein 5 S Aron lbw Pringle 8 S Nathan not out 12 A Daniel not out 4 Extras – 4 Total – 79 for three wickets