Cartha Queens Park 6
Gala 16

By Duncan Scott
at Dumbreck

AFTER a slight delay in departure, while Cartha decided whether the match would be on, Gala’s injury and sickness ravaged squad journeyed through to Dumbreck for the return fixture with the Glasgow club. 

With only 18 available, the squad gave their all for each other and the club, and left nothing on the pitch. The first quarter of the game saw the home side score a disallowed try, whilst the maroon defence tackled as though their lives depended on it. 

The heavy pitch and constant drizzle also resulted in many handling errors on both sides.

And the second quarter was going much the same way before in the 38th minute Gala finally made their way up into the Cartha 22. 

Slightly earlier Opeta Palepoi was injured and replaced by Tom Weir.

At the end of the first half, the first real Gala pressure on the Dumbreck side’s line resulted in a try to Graham Speirs, converted by Gregor Hunter – making the score 0-7 at half time.

The second half began with the home side continuing to attempt to overrun the maroons, which was rewarded after 46 minutes with a penalty from Cartha’s number 10 Davidson.

But that was soon cancelled out by a Gregor Hunter penalty, followed shortly by a second for a 3-13 lead going into the final quarter.

On 52 minutes Lachlan Johnston replaced the injured Daniel Nicholson.

And a mistake from re-start allowed Cartha straight back into the Gala 22 and second Davidson penalty, making the game 6-13. Gala continued to thwart the CQP endeavours and ended the match with a third Gregor Hunter penalty for a hard-earned 6-16 victory.

Gala (1 to 18): Chris Keen, Jack Chambers, Terry Logan, Opeta Palepoi, Blair Reavely, John Watson, Richard Tod, Robbie Irvine, Simon Fairburn, Gregor Hunter, John Turnbull, Alan Emond, Daniel Nicholson, Fraser Hunter, Graham Speirs ©, Lewis Roden, Tom Weir, Lachlan Johnston