Gala 47

Musselburgh 55

David Morrison

at Netherdale

THERE'S never much between these two sides as was witnessed last season with a draw and a two-point victory to the visitors.

And on Saturday the only difference was the accuracy from the kicking tee as Musselburgh managed to edge clear in the closing stages.

Early pressure led to a Daniel Nicholson try for Gala after just five minutes.

But, as was to prove crucial later in the game, the conversion went wide.

Musselburgh responded with a Danny Owenson penalty.

There was some big hits from both packs as the forwards' duel for supremacy continued.

Dean Keddie made up for his earlier miss with a penalty after quarter of an hour.

As play flowed up and down the park it was the visitors who were next on the scoresheet with William Fleming barging his way over.

Owenson managed to steer the conversion through the posts for a 10-8 lead.

But Gala came straight back and following some fine build up phases Nicholson darted in at the far corner.

Keddie's conversion bounced in off the post for a five point advantage.

Offences continued to be on top as the East Lothian side carved open another try, this time for Cameron Pryde to squeeze between defenders.

Owenson edged the visitors in front with the kick.

A charged-down clearance kick at the other end resulted in Robbie Irvine touching down for Gala.

Keddie converted before adding a further three points with a penalty approaching half time.

At 25-17 there was chink of light opening.

But Musselburgh muscled their way over the line just before half time to reduce the deficit.

At 25-22 the game very much hung in the balance.

Musselburgh began the second period brightest and the pressure led to Michael Maltman crashing over for the bonus point try.

Owenson made it 29-25 with the extras.

Gala, yet again, came charging back and Keddie was rewarded with a great angled run to slice through the defence to score in the corner.

The single point advantage didn't last long though.

Maltman rounded off a good move from the visitors - and Oweneson kicked them six points clear with the conversion.

The tit-for-tat rhythm of the game continued with Alan Emond this time barging over for the hosts.

But Keddie couldn't find the posts with the conversion and things began to swing in Musselburgh's favour.

The pace of the game didn't relent and neither did the tries.

Martin Cimprich went over for Musselburgh just six minutes later following some patient build up play.

Owenson stretched the advantage to eight points.

And just two minutes later Musselburgh’s James Ferguson raced away to make it 48-35.

Inside the final ten minutes Gala threw everything they had at the Musselburgh defence to close in yet again, and they were rewarded with a John Frew try following several penalties inside the 22.

Gala did push the visitors back again from a penalty but Musselburgh managed to clear their lines.

And any hopes of a fightback ended in the 75th minute as Declan Slaven touched down.

Owenson made it 55-40 with the conversion.

Ross Cooke did add a late try for the hosts with Keddie converting but the damage had already been done.

In one of the most open games of rugby most will see this season the final score was 55-47 in Musselburgh's favour.