Dundee 10

Gala 36

Bob Sneddon

at Mayfield

GALA's recent resurgence continued at drizzly Dundee on Saturday.

The Maroons arrived at Mayfield full of confidence, and it showed almost straight from the kick off.

Ross Cooke slotted an early penalty before sustained pressure led to the opening try.

Dundee defended their line well for five or six minutes before a quick throw-in gave Cooke the opportunity to race through a gap and score.

The Polish internationalist's conversion gave Gala a 10-0 lead with just 12 minutes on the clock.

Dundee managed to stem the flow and even managed a few counter attacks.

But it was Gala who increased their lead on the half hour.

A Lachlan Johnstone free-kick led to the ball being spread along the backs to his brother Fergus, who darted in at the corner.

Cooke converted for a 17-0 lead.

There was still time for another Gala try before the interval.

A defensive kick from Dundee went straight into touch.

From the lineout Lachlan Johnston again opened out the Gala backs, and this time the ball was received by Daniel Nicholson who straightened up and ran through the defence to score under the posts.

Again Cooke came up trumps with another successful conversion taking the score to Dundee 0 Gala 24.

With just seconds remaining in the half Dundee threw themselves a lifeline.

A penalty was kicked to touch and from the resultant throw-in the ball was spun to winger Rhuaridh Hood to touch down.

Paul Kerr added the conversion for a half-time score of 7-24.

With the mist rolling in off the Tay Gala kicked off the second half.

Dundee showed a great deal more fight and although they retained possession well, Gala had a very successful defence.

The hosts did add a penalty on the hour to reduce the deficit.

But Gala made sure of the victory just five minutes later as Dean Keddie kicked a penalty deep into the Dundee 22.

A successful rolling mall advanced towards the Dundee line before the ball was passed along the line for Fergus Johnston to score in the corner.

Although the conversion was missed Gala still had a 19 point lead going into the final quarter of an hour.

The Maroons added a further try in stoppage time to round off a good afternoon.

A scrum close to the Dundee line led to Richie Tod fighting his way over the line.

Cooke converted for a 36-10 victory.

The bonus point win to Gala who move up to fifth in National League 1.

This week Gala will welcome their neighbours and rivals, Melrose, to Netherdale in what will undoubtedly be a thriller.