Kelso 19

Gala 11

Bob Sneddon

at Poynder Park

IT was a disappointing day for Gala as they were swept away by both the stormy conditions and a resilient home team.

But, ultimately, it was a refereeing decision to halt contested scrums that probably cost them the match.

The standard of rugby reflected the miserable weather with poor handling and tackling.

Within nine minutes Dean Keddie had successfully converted a penalty from about 35 metres out giving Gala a three point lead.

Despite sustained pressure it took the visitors a further 18 minutes before they stretched their advantage.

The ball was moved along the backs to Andrew Mitchell who slid over the line.

In horrendous conditions neither team was able to establish any rhythm and the brave supporters have to wait until the second minute of injury time before Keddie converted another penalty to give Gala an 11-0 lead.

But into the seventh minute of injury time Kelso edged closer to the line with two penalties before scrum-half Andrew Tait the Kelso forced his way over for the try.

Within a couple of minutes of the second half the Tweedsiders had pulled themselves into the lead.

A charged down attempted clearance kick on the Gala five metre line resulted in the forwards going over for a further Kelso try.

Craig Dods added the conversion for a 12-11 advantage.

Gala's dominance in the scrum led to countless penalties being awarded but they couldn't capitalise by adding any more points.

And when a home prop was yellow carded for infringements the referee elected for the scrums to become uncontested - taking away Gala's one distinct advantage.

The home team managed to stem the Maroons' dominance and in the closing stages countered with a match-winning try.

From one of the uncontested scrums Kevin Dryden managed to crash over the line.

Dods added the conversion to secure the victory.