Gala go up as champions

Gala claimed the Division One title despite losing a thrilling match against Royal High Corstorphine 2nds at Meigle Park.

RHC captain Rob Clarkson smashed a huge six off the third last ball of the game to claim the win, but as Gala had scored 196 and taken nine wickets, they secured enough bonus losing points to take the league title.

The finale did not overshadow a brilliant second 100 of the season by stand-in skipper Duncan Millar, who came to the crease after just one ball when in-form Sid Siddhu was caught off the first ball of the match.,

Millar and Finlay Rutherford patiently rebuilt the innings, with Millar then going on to be the dominant player in a number of partnerships.

Jamie Crooks (26) and Rory Hancock (10) added vital runs as Gala produced a decent total to defend.

The hosts got off to the perfect start as Dean Moir claimed Michael Grant for a duck.

Millar uncharacteristically dropped Hassan soon after, who proceeded to make a quickfire 35 before Kenny Paterson took a good diving catch to dismiss the number three.

But there was better to come as Rory Hancock claimed the best catch of the season from his own bowling to claim James Carr (23).

Arnie Sathiy (68) took the game to Gala with a number of aggressive shots as RHC appeared to be heading for a fairly comfortable win.

However, when Sathiy was bowled by Dean Moir, the visitors still need 16 to win from 6 overs and only two wickets remaining.

Scott Paterson then bowled Callum Dowie to set up a final over where RHC needed six runs to win.

Two runs and a dot ball meant four was needed from four balls, but Clarkson needed just one to smash a six and claim victory.

Paterson (3 for 34) and Moir (3 for 45) were the leading wicket takers for Gala.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct I. Farooq b W. Bradley 0

F. Rutherford ct A. Sathiy b R. Clarkson 9

D. Millar not out 104

S. Evans b W. Bradley 7

R. Paterson ct & b W. Bradley 2

J. Crooks ct & b W. Bradley 26

D. Moir b C. Dowie 0

M. Hastings b R. Clarkson 2

R. Hancock ct R. Hassan b R. Clarkson 10

K. Paterson not out 3

Extras – 33

Total – 196 for 8 wickets

W. Bradley 9-0-38-3; R. Clarkson 3-1-30-3; A. Anwar 9-1-43-0; J. Carr 9-2-34-0; C. Dowie 9-0-45-2.

RHC 2nds

J. Carr ct & b R. Hancock 23

M. Grant ct D. Millar b D. Moir 0

R. Hassan ct K. Paterson b S. Evans 35

A. Sathiy b D. Moir 68

A. Anwar lbw S. Paterson 9

M. Fotheringham ct D. Millar b S. Paterson 17

I. Farooq lbw D. Moir 1

W. Bradley ct S. Siddhu b R. Patterson 7

C. Dowie b S. Paterson 3

R. Clarkson not out 12

A. Lawrie not out 2

Extras – 18

Total – 199 for 9 wickets

D. Moir 9-0-45-3; S. Evans 9-2-36-1; J. Crooks 6-0-25-0; R. Hancock 9-0-42-1; S. Paterson 7.3-0-34-3; R. Patterson 4-0-8-1.