Stewarts Melville 10

Gala 15

David Morrison at Inverleith

GALA returned to winning ways on Saturday against a battling Stewarts Melville.

And they had to do it the hard way with 14 men for much of the match.

When a team is fighting for survival, it's never going to be easy to defeat them.

And that's how it turned out beneath the Edinburgh sun with Gala struggling to break down a determined home defence.

Gala had edged in front through Terry Logan barging over early on.

Gregor Hunter added the conversion.

But the hosts responded with Ruaridh Mitchell forcing his way over in the far corner.

A flare up just before the interval saw Alan Emond red carded for an alleged punch.

Despite the set back Gala were on the front foot at the start of the second period.

Hunter missed an opportunity to extend the advantage on 51 minutes from a penalty.

But the Maroons supporters didn't have too long to wait for Chris Keen to race over for a try.

A Hunter penalty with 12 minutes remaining gave Gala a little breathing space at 15-5.

But Stew Mel responded with a Nick McCashin try just three minutes later.

At 15-10, and a man down, it was a little nervy in the closing stages, but Gala held on well for the victory.

Gala: D Keddie, J Turnbull, D Nicholson, A Emond, C Robertson, G Hunter, L Johnston, C Keen, J Chambers, T Logan, J Watson, B Reavely, R Tod, R Irvine & S Cairns. Reps P Stewart, L Roden, T Weir & R Jeffrey.