Cartha Queen's Park 18

Gala 30

David Morrison at Dumbreck

GALA'S new backs coach Marcus Di Rollo must be rubbing his hands after watching his charges claim their second bonus point win on the bounce.

And they did with some open rugby as well as dogged well-drilled driving.

Dumbreck could well prove to be a difficult hunting ground for the clubs chasing promotion this season.

For Gala to leave with four tries under their belts marked a good afternoon's work.

Dean Keddie slotted an early penalty before the home team showed just how dangerous they can be.

A well-worked move led to Callum Dickson going over in the far corner.

But Gala responded almost immediately with Alan Emond bursting through a gap to touch down.

Wayne Burrows added a penalty for Cartha as both teams showed plenty of early enterprise.

And the home crowd were given even more to cheer when Liam Howieson won the race for a kick through to touch down.

It had been a pulsating first 20 minutes.

Gala subjected their hosts to some sustained pressure before Keddie opted to slot home a further three points from in front of the posts.

The power of the Maroons was starting to break down the home defence and they were rewarded with Richard Todd and Terry Logan both going over for tries during driving mauls either side of the half hour.

Gala's 23-13 half time lead was deserved and it looked like a perfect platform to build on.

But no sooner had the second half kicked off than Cartha reduced the deficit.

Graeme Docherty showed great pace to dart down the line from well within his own half to go over in the corner.

With the lead cut to five points Gala regrouped well to take play back into the Cartha half.

And they were rewarded with a try from Josh Irvine.

Although the score, which was converted by Keddie, earned a bonus point most travelling supporters were more concerned with staying in front.

Gala remained in the driving seat for much of the second half without managing to add to their tally.

Apart from a late flare-up which saw Logan and a Cartha player red-carded, Gala played out the game fairly comfortably.

And with Di Rollo joining Opeta Palepoi and Alan Johnston in the coaching team, Gala's credentials are growing by the week.

Gala. G Speirs, R Cooke, R Jeffrey, A Emond, A Turner, D Keddie, G Hamilton, S Cairns, K Brown, J Irvine, J Watson, C Weir, T Logan, R Tod & M Christie. Reps K Scott, L Scott, J McCabe, S Fairburn & J Turnbull.