Gala 28

Boroughmuir 46

Atholl Innes at Netherdale

GALA’S defeat on Saturday at Netherdale against a side battling for its own Premiership status sadly went the same way as too many other league games this season – with a defeat.

Ironically, their last league win was at Boroughmuir on October 22, and now the club must build for the future after Peter Wright’s side ran rampant after the interval.

They finished with seven tries, and Gala’s sole consolation ahead of the BT Cup and Border League matches was a try-bonus point in the final minute.

Gala captain Graham Speirs said that the club had now to build for next season. “Our first-half performance was good and we showed some good attacking rugby after weathering the early storm,” he said.

“We felt pretty good at half-time, but the penalty count was far too high and gave Boroughmuir a platform to work off. There was a lot of weight on our shoulders, and we were disappointed in the second half.”

The visitors preserved its Premiership status and avoided the threat of a play-off after Gala had led by four points at the interval.

Coach Peter Wright praised his players for their second-half performance. “We scored straight after Gala’s try (third) before the interval to close the gap and then we kept the ball better,” he said.

Boroughmuir knew that a win and a bonus point would secure safety and they got off to a flying start with tries from Callum Atkinson and Jordan Edmunds, Chris Laidlaw missing both conversions.

Gala survived the onslaught and Speirs set up a score for Ross Combe and referee Graeme Wells then awarded the hosts a penalty try and sent Tristan King to the sin-bin, Gregor Hunter converting both scores.

Speirs laid on a second try for Combe, Hunter converting, but Boroughmuir replied immediately through Edmunds again, a crucial score, and Laidlaw converted to cut the lead to 21-17.

Boroughmuir dominated the second half with tries from Dale Robertson, Grant McConnell, Atkinson and Dougie Steele.

Gala kept battling and in the final minute Harry Borthwick touched down and Hunter converted for a consolation try-bonus point.

Gala: G. Speirs; R. Combe, L. Berg, G. Mein, D. Burrows; G. Hunter, G. Lott; C. Keen, M. Carryer, D. Brooker, S. Johnstone, R. Louw, C. Weir, S. Chapman, H. Borthwick. Replacements: T. Skeet, F. Hunter, S. Cairns, P. Hendry, C. Robertson.