GALA travelled up to Myreside to play Watsonians 2ndXI on the first day of East League season, but were disappointed to return home having suffered a five wicket defeat on a good surface given Friday’s snow and rain.

Gala won the toss and elected to bat first with openers Hawes and Gallagher providing a solid platform before Gallagher (16) was dismissed with the score on 28. Millar then joined Hawes to add 57 before Hawes was dismissed for 44. With Jack Halls joining Millar the visitors solid start continued as the score climbed to 142 for 2 with seventeen overs remaining, before Millar’s dismissal prompted a dramatic collapse.

The remaining Gala batsmen struggled to cope with the home attack as Gala lost eight wickets for 30 runs in 16.3 overs with Cousin and Cullen the pick of the home bowlers were picking up three wickets each.

The Watsonians innings did not get off to a good start with Hawes trapping Carson lbw with the fourth ball of the opening over and Murray fell soon after as the home side slipped to 29 for two. A partnership of 94 in good time between Rae and Conradie set the home side up for a well earned victory and although they both gave chances Gala were unable to take advantage.

Rae was eventually dismissed for 68 but Conradie carried his bat for 85 to see Watsonians home by five wickets. The best Gala bowlers were Hawes and Jack Halls who took two wickets each.

Gala

R Hawes lbw b Cullen 44

K Gallagher lbw b Brown 16

D Millar b Rae 47

J Halls b Cullen 19

S Halls c & b Cullen 0

D Tharanga c Sim b Cousin 12

S Paterson lbw b Rae 1

K Paterson b Cousin 0

M Hastings run out 1

J Crooks c Cullen b Cousin 0

A Hastings not out 0

Extras: b-24 lb-2 w-4 nb-2= 32

Total for 10 wickets 172

Watsonians 2nd XI

M Carson lbw b Hawes 0

K Rae lbw b Halls 68

R Murray b Tharanga 9

S Conradie not out 85

B Fox st Millar b Halls 2

C McPherson b Hawes 9

ASim not out 1

Extras: b-3 lb-1 w-0 nb-0 = 4

Total for 5 wickets 175