Gala YM 31

Edinburgh Northern 29

Joe Dickson at Netherdale

Gala YM claimed the points at Netherdale on Saturday after a ten try thriller in freezing conditions against Edinburgh Northern.

YM started on the charge and took play into the Northern 22.

Quick ball along the line sent Andrew Gould racing in for the opening try and a five point lead.

YM were throwing the ball about at every opportunity when suddenly a pass went astray and was picked up by a Northern player who outpaced the defence to score a converted try between the sticks.

Stung into action YM pressed hard on the visitors' defence and it finally cracked for Lewis Roden to crash over.

Struan Mitchell added the extras.

Northern retaliated quickly and, after a long time on the YM line, they forced over for an unconverted try to level the scores.

Just on half time, slack YM defending let Northern in for a third try and a 17-12 lead.

Northern went all out for the bonus point try early in the second half and poor tackling let them in for another unconverted try and a 10 point lead.

YM saw the game slipping away from them.

But they turned up the gears and Daniel Nicholson neatly stepped out of a tackle to score.

Mitchell slotted the conversion.

It was YM’s turn to go for the bonus point try now and constant pressure on Northern saw Lewis Bertram power over for their fourth try which was unconverted but gave them a two point lead.

YM rang the changes and stretched their lead when quick handling and a chip over the top saw Dave Wood win the race to score after only being on the field three minutes.

Mitchell converted from wide out to put YM two scores in front.

Northern were not finished, however, and engineered a fifth try which was converted to make the final few minutes very tense.

But YM held firm for victory.

Shane Kellett was man of the match.

YM have a well earned rest this week with no game and the following week are away to Penicuik.