Stirling 35

Gala 25

Bob Sneddon

at Bridgehaugh

GALA kicked off their new campaign in Tennent's National League One with defeat.

Gala opened the scoring with a Dean Keddie penalty.

But it wasn't long until the home team took the advantage with centre Brandon Mills scoring their first try.

Full back Johnny Hope converted, before a few minutes later adding a penalty for a 10-3 lead.

In what was a free-flowing game, Gala responded well with Ross Cooke breaking through the defence for an unconverted try.

Stirling, though, finished the half on top.

Euan Cunningham barged his way over for a try.

There was still time for the same player to weave his way through space for another score, which was converted by Hope.

Gala were thrown a lifeline on the stroke of half time, as Gregor Mein did well to race in for a try.

Keddie's conversion made it 25-15 as the teams turned around.

Gala closed the gap further at the start of the second half as Terry Logan scrambled over the line in the 49th minute to score.

Although the conversion was missed, the Maroons were back within striking distance.

Stirling, though, yet again showed great appetite as centre Craig Jardine finished off a good move.

Hope converted before adding a further penalty.

At 35-20 and with a quarter of an hour remaining, it looked bleak for the travelling support.

But back came Gala again with sustained pressure leading to Fergus Johnston scoring Gala's bonus point try.

Although the visitors continued to press they couldn't reduce the deficit any further.

Stirling left the pitch happy with a bonus point win whereas Gala had to be satisfied with a solitary bonus point for their try tally.

The one thing of note to come out of this contest was that Stirling is the amateur side of the Super 6 club.

While they have named most, but not all, of their Super 6 squad as they don’t have to declare the final registered names until the end of the month, potentially Gala were playing against several players who will be stepping up to Super 6 next month.

This Saturday Gala take on Cartha Queens Park at Netherdale.