Heriot's 38

Gala 19

By Morgane Jarles

at Goldenacre

Heriot’s secured an emphatic victory in Saturday’s match against Gala at Goldenacre.

The Edinburgh side was particularly motivated after last week’s unexpected reversal against Currie, and Gala, coming off an excellent victory over Watsonians, had to bear the brunt of their determination.

Man of the match No.8 Struan Dewar scored the first try for Heriot’s, then scrum half Andrew Simmers and winger Charlie Simpson both touched down twice.

Simmers bagged two conversions as well as three penalties. Gala struggled against better organised, more powerful opposition.

However the battling Maroons did manage to score 3 tries through Rob Louw, Rory Scholes, and Ross Combe – two of which were converted by fly-half Gregor Hunter.

Heriot’s dominated the set pieces throughout, essentially determining the outcome of this match, and made the most of Gala’s porous midfield defence on the day, which resulted in an ultimately comfortable home win.

The game started well for the hosts as Gala conceded a couple of penalties within the first 15 minutes of the encounter.

Andrew Simmers kicked them both through the posts (3- 0, 11’; 6-0, 14’).

The Borderers reacted with fast-paced, expansive attacking phases with a couple of breakthroughs by drafted Edinburgh professionals, fullback Rory Scholes and right wing Alex Northam.

Gala lock Rob Louw just got fingertips to the ball and successfully touched down before Heriot’s dead-ball line following a clever chip kick by Gregor Hunter.

The latter converted to give his team a brief lead (6-7, 17’). Heriot’s reacted immediately with an unconverted try by Struan Dewar (11-7, 19’). Enjoying abundant possession, the Edinburgh side kept dictating the game and after an excellent attacking lineout drive, Charlie Simpson got through the overwhelmed defence to score his team’s second try.

Andrew Simmers added the extras (18-7, 26’). The Borderers were struggling to bring the game outside of their own half of the pitch, and Heriot’s rubbed salt in their wounds with a third penalty, successfully kicked by Andrew Simmers (21-14, 34’).

Nevertheless, the Maroons stuck to their task, managing to narrow the gap just before the break, with a fine well-constructed try – Rory Scholes scored and Gregor Hunter converted, making it 21-14 at half time (21-14, 38’, HT).

Andrew Simmers then scored a self-converted try at the beginning of the second act, giving his team a comfortable lead (28-14, 42’). Heriot’s added another 5 points as John Semple broke the Gala line and offloaded to Simpson for an unconverted touchdown.

The gap on the scoreboard was now significant (33-14, 53’). Both sides picked up the pace, giving the audience an entertaining display of running rugby despite a few handling errors. The Capital side finished stronger.

Andrew Simmers scored his team’s final try of the afternoon, which the busy scrum-half failed to convert, after an outstanding Heriot’s attacking scrum surge (38-14, 68’).

However, the never-say-die visitors had the last word with an unconverted try by replacement wing Ross Combe who made the most of an overlap to dart through in trademark fashion wide out on the right (38-19,78’, FT).

Following this victory, Heriot’s secure a comfortable fifth place in the BT Premier League table, ahead of next week’s trip to Melrose for what is certain to prove an interesting clash.

In contrast, Gala now drop one place to ninth – making next week’s potentially fraught Border derby against an improving Hawick outfit, currently languishing one place and one point below at the foot of the table, a “must win” home game for the Netherdale men.

Referee: Neil Muir

Assistant referees: Gordon Galashan, Bob Nevins.

Weather: chilly and dry, no wind.

Score evolution: 3-0, 6-0, 6-7, 11-7, 18-7, 21-7, 21-14 (HT), 28-14, 33-14, 38-14, 38-19.

Galashiels: 3 tries (Louw 17’, Scholes 39’, Combe 78’), 2 conversions (Hunter 17’ & 39’).

Heriot’s: 5 tries (Dewar 19’, Simpson 26’ & 53’, Simmers 42’ & 68’), 2 conversions (Simmers 26’ & 42’), 3 penalties (Simmers 11’, 14’ & 34’).

SQUADS

Gala: 15. Rory Scholes, 14. Alex Northam, 13. Lewis Berg (19. Ross Combe 55’), 12. Paul Hendry, 11. Graham Speirs (captain) (20. Craig Robertson 55’), 10. Gregor Hunter, 09. Connor Adams; 01. Matt Carryer, 02. Dean Brooker, 03. Chris Keen (16. Curtis Reynolds 75’), 04. Chris Weir, 05. Rob Louw, 06. Gary Adams (17. Richie Todd 63’), 08. Harry Borthwick (18. Alan Emond 31’), 07. Stevie Cairns.

Heriot’s: 15. Gavin Parker, 14. Charlie Simpson, 13. Josh Laird (20. Jon Rae 55’), 12. John Semple, 11. Harry Boisseau, 10. Rory Carmichael (captain), 09. Andrew Simmers (19. Alex Ball 68’); 01. Martin Bouab, 02. Michael Liness (16. Stewart Mustard 63’), 03. Struan Cessford (17. Ruaridh Mitchell 63’), 04. Callum Marshall (18. Euan Jackson 5’), 05. Clarke Smith, 06. Michael Maltman, 08. Struan Dewar, 07. Jack McLean.

Heriot’s man of the match: Struan Dewar.