Following a win against Kelso the previous week Gala arrived in Edinburgh for a tough fixture against the second in the league, Heriots. This was made even tougher with their loose head prop and vice captain, Martin Christie, injuring his calf muscle in the warm up and therefore unable to start. This, added to the tight head being injured did not help Gala team selection.
The game started on a fine afternoon and in the first 34 minutes Heriots ran in 6 tries . The scorers were John Rae, centre, with two tries, Cameron Linean, winger with two tries and full back Charlie Simpson also adding two to the total. Only three of the scores were converted, both by scrum half, Graham Wilson.
A glimmer of light came in the 37 minutes when Gala scrum half, Fergus Johnston, took a quick 22m drop out to himself before passing to Ross Cooke, Gala winger who ran 70 metres avoiding four tackles to score under the posts . Ross capped the fine try by converting the score.
Half Time score was Heriots 36. Gala 7
The second half was much more entertaining and more evenly matched. Heriots started the scoring with the winger and ex Gala player Craig Robertson scoring after 48 minutes. This was not converted. Gala responded after 55 minutes when their tight head, Marius Tamosaitis ,barged over the line after a good build up and this was successfully converted by Ross Cooke.
The scoring continued with Heriots scoring another unconverted try through Craig Robertson followed after 65 minutes by an unconverted try by Lachlan Johnston.
There were two more tries, the first after 74 minutes by Heriots substitute Stewart Mustard converted by Graham Wilson and this was followed in the final minute by a try from the Gala centre, Daniel Nicholson. This was unconverted.
The final score was Heriots 53. Gala 24. Having scored four tries Gala did earn a bonus point.
Gala are entertaining the Edinburgh side, Watsonians next Saturday at Netherdale at 3.00 pm. This is a must win game to start Gala lifting themselves up the league table.
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