GALA were defeated again at Grange Loan at the hands of Carlton 2nds, with the Braw Lads loss meaning they are all but condemned to relegation back to Division 1.

After winning the toss and elected to bat, Carlton skipper Andrew Meyer and Kyle Macpherson looked in good touch before Nick McIntyre struck with the first wicket, taking a quick return catch off the latter. This brought South African overseas Parker Neame to the crease to join Meyer. Gala were well aware of the dangerous partnership after they registered a partnership of over 200 in the reverse fixture at Meigle Park.

However, it was not to be repeated as Dinesh Tharanga clean bowled Meyer and McIntyre then had Neame leg before as both wickets fell with the score on 36, leaving Gala firmly in the driving seat.

A good partnership from Marshall and Ruari Macpherson steadied the ship for Carlton before Finlay Rutherford took an outstanding catch diving forward to get rid of Marshall. Robbie Pringle then picked up his second immediately after when Macpherson edged a clever slower delivery to Ash Rhode at slip.

With the home side 73 for 5 at drinks, Gala sensed an opportunity. However, Guy Hudson had other ideas as he carried his bat through the remainder of the Carlton innings on his way to an excellent 72 not out. Accompanied by Armour (16) and Allardice (10), Carlton rallied, scoring 121 from the last 25 overs, taking their score to a solid looking 194 for 8, leaving Gala with it all to do.

In reply Gala got off to a comfortable start, with Jack Halls and Duncan Millar taking the score to 40 from the first 9 overs. However, Millar was unlucky after misjudging a short ball from Macpherson and popping the ball up for a simple catch at midwicket. Finlay Rutherford then joined Halls and the pair kept the scoring ticking over and Gala were beginning to in a decent position to win the game. Jack Halls brought up a well-made 50 in the 24th over but Finlay Rutherford (18) was dismissed just before drinks, stumped by Neame off Adeel Raza.

After drinks Rhode and Halls took the score to 106 before Halls was another stumping victim of Raza.

Dinesh Tharanga was out soon after adjudged LBW despite the player adamant he had played the ball onto his pads.

This left Gala 111 for 4 needing 84 from the last 20 overs. However, Raza continued ripping through Gala on his way to 5 for and a flurry of regular wickets left Gala with too much to do despite the best efforts of Robbie Pringle, Max Hastings and Nick McIntyre lower down the order. Hastings was eventually bowled for 8 as Gala were all out for 170, 24 runs short of their target.

Carlton 2nds Innings

A.Meyer b D.Tharanga 16

K.Macpherson c & b N.McIntyre 12

P.Neame LBW N.McIntyre 4

C.Marshall ct F.Rutherford b R.Pringle 21

R.Macpherson ct A.Rhode b R.Pringle 10

G.Hudson not out 72

R.Armour ct A.McMenemy b A.Rhode 16

A.Raza b R.Pringle 7

M.Brown ct J.Crooks b R.Pringle 2

R.Allardice not out 10

Extras - 24

Total - 194 for eight wickets

Gala

J.Halls st P.Neame b A.Raza 61

D.Millar ct G.Hudson b R.Macpherson 14

F.Rutherford st P.Neame b A.Raza 18

A.Rhode st P.Neame b A.Raza 26

A.McMenemy b R.Allardice 1

D.Tharanga LBW A.Raza 4

J.Crooks b R.Allardice 4

R.Pringle ct R.Armour b A.Raza 13

M.Hastings b M.Brown 8

N.McIntyre ct M.Brown b A.Meyer 4

H.Rutherford not out 1

Extras - 17

Total -170 for ten wickets