Gala YM 35

Queensferry 17

Joe Dickson

at Netherdale

Gala YM’s first game of the season was at Netherdale on Saturday against Queensferry in the East Bowl Pool .

And in an entertaining game of eight tries YM ran out comfortable winners.

The game was played in a howling gale and YM had it in their faces from the kick-off.

Nethertheless, the Gala team threw everything at the visitors straight away and scored their first try of the season in just two minutes.

Stealing the ball at the kick-off they took play to the Queensferry line and quick ball from the ruck sent stand off Billy Brownlee racing in under the bar for the try.

Adam Williams converted for 7-0.

YM continued in the ascendancy and twice should have scored but final passes went astray.

Queensferry gradually got into the match using the wind to peg YM back into their 22.

On the half hour their heavier pack pushed over for a converted try to tie the scores.

Just before the break Queensferry forced their way over in the corner for an unconverted try and the teams turned round with YM down 7-12.

Straight from the second half kick-off Jason Graham broke away and sent Shane Kellett on a 50 metre run, beating several tacklers to score in the corner.

Williams converted from the touchline to put YM two points in front.

YM kept up the pressure and pinned the visitors on their own line. After several phases they pushed them over the line for Declan Broatch to get the third try. Williams added the extras.

Queensferry enjoyed a purple patch and used their heavy forwards to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try to cut YM’s lead to four points.

But YM were having none of that and Jason Graham stole the ball at a breakdown to race away to score the home team's fourth try.

Once again Williams judged the wind perfectly to add the conversion.

YM were well on top in the closing stages and from a five metre line out, a neat move by the backs sent Billy Brownlee in under the bar for his second try.

Williams kept his kicking record by converting.

Overall a good start to the season, with the scrums and lineouts working well and some cracking tackling.

Shane Kellett was the man-of-the-match.

This week YM are away to Edinburgh Northern in their opening game in East Division 3.