Gala YM 37
Lismore 5
Joe Dickson at Netherdale
IN a rousing game on the main pitch in near perfect weather on Saturday, Gala YM won the East Region Bowl to reach the national semi-finals with an emphatic win over Lismore.
After Lismore had missed an easy penalty goal,YM began to take control and Mike Dodds was having a field day with his long line kicking to pin the visitors back into their 22.
YM took the lead after a kick and chase by Mike Dodds saw him streak in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Two great breaks from Craig Hancock and a thundering run from Blair Reavely had the visitors defending desperately.
YM were making mistakes in their handling and decision making which did not help things and the only addition to the score before the break was a penalty goal from Dodds.
The teams turned round with YM ahead 8-0.
The Gala team made a few changes for the start of the second half and a penalty into the corner saw the forwards drive over for Luke Pettie to score. Dodds added the extras to open up a gap to 15 points.
Almost immediately a searing break by Dodds sent him racing some 40 metres through the Lismore defence to score an unconverted try in the corner.
YM went all out for the bonus point try and forced a scrum under the bar.
When they went for the push over Lismore deliberately infringed and the referee awarded a penalty try.
Dodds’s conversion put YM out of sight.
But the home side were not finished yet and Duncan Miller broke away from a scrum in front of the posts to send Lewis Playfair in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Lismore got on the scoreboard with a breakaway try after a YM move broke down and they won the kick and chase for the touchdown.
YM had the final say, when a good move down the touchline saw Blair Reavely, backing up well to run in for try number six.
Man-of-the-match went deservedly to Mike Dodds.
YM have no game next week but Gala A are back in action against Melrose Storm at home.
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