Aberdeen Grammar 8

Gala 15

Jack Nixon at Rubislaw

GALA kept themselves in the top six of National League 1 after a gutsy, determined performance against it has to be said, a less than inspiring Aberdeen Grammar who lost the chance of moving above the Netherdale side in the league.

Player coach Opeta Palpoi was delighted with the win.

He said:''This is not an easy place to come and win, but we stuck to our game plan, although we left it late.

"I'm very proud of these young guys who never panicked, even we fell behind on the hour mark.

"Winger John Turnbull took his two tries well, while stand off Dean Keddie kicked out of hand beautifully, and also knocked over two crucial kicks.''

The veteran Samoan internationalist was too modest to mention his own performance after coming off the bench early in the first half, adding skill and experience in equal measure to the Gala pack.

By the time he left the field of play late in the second half with a shoulder injury, the likeable all rounder, had driven his side to brink of victory.

The game never lived up to its billing of an important middle of the table clash, although both sides, and in particular Grammar played like sides living in fear of relegation.

All the lack lustre game had to offer up until the opening try, scored in 59 minutes by Grammar's German prop Matthias Schosser was two penalties in the first and seventh minute, kicked by home full back Bryn Perrott, followed by one from the excellent Keddie for Gala.

Gala responded well to going 8 -3 down, hitting back with a long spell of pressure, and getting their reward late in the game through the alert Turnbull who took full advantage of Keddie's astute play, and tidy kick ahead to seal a much valued win on the road.

Significantly two of the best players on the field were a Samoan (Palpoi) and a German (Schosser), saying much about the current state of Scottish club rugby.

It was, nevertheless, a good away day for Gala, setting them up nicely for Saturday's game with Marr at Netherdale.

Gala: R.Cook, A. Turner, R.Jeffrey, A.Edmond, J.Turnbull; D.Keddie and L.Johnston. M.Christie, C.Keen, T.Logan, J.McCabe, C.Pate, S.Cairns, K.Brown and E.Dodds. Replacements used - J.Easson, O.Palpoi, D.Nicolson, J.Frew, G.Hamilton.