A nail biting finish swung in favour of Grange 4ths as they won by 8 runs in a fantastic encounter against the Sunday XI at Meigle Park on Sunday.

The visitors batted first and posted a well made total of 167 for 6 from their 30 overs. Liam Skeldon started the game off well, continuing where he left off on Saturday, taking the early wicket of Grant for 3. The visitors Metcalfe and Hodgson came together however and batted excellently with both scoring well made half centuries before the former was bowled by John Imray for 52 and the latter retired after passing the 50 mark.

The Grange scoring did not stop however with batsman lower down the order in Hodgen and Grant chipping in to take the visitors up to an imposing total. Kieran Toor also chipped in well with the ball for Gala, taking the two wickets of Grant and May both bowled.

The Gala reply started well with Stuart Anderson and Jamie Bell opening up. Bell was trapped LBW to Kidd for 10 for the first wicket. Graeme Ormiston joined Anderson and the pair put on a good partnership before the former was bowled by Gore for 17. The home sides most substantial partnership came through Sunday captain Rutherford and Anderson. Rutherford ended retiring following a brilliant 50, while Anderson was unlucky to he dismissed for 36 after a good innings.

At this point Grange began to turn the screw despite Gala staying up with the run rate. However, it was the visitors who prevailed by 8 runs after the bowlers held there nerve at the end of the innings despite late efforts from Imray (8) and Toor (7*).

Well played to the visitors and good luck for the rest of the season.

Grange Innings

R.Grant ct G.Ormiston b L.Skeldon 3

J.Metcalfe b J.Imray 52

H.Kidd ct G.Ormiston b R.Paterson 17

W.Hodgson retired not out 50

S.Hodgen ct F.Rutherford b L.Skeldon 5

J.Grant b K.Toor 25

F.Tracey run out 1

E.May b K.Toor 0

C.Gore not out 1

A.Kidd not out 1

Extras – 13

Total: Grange 4ths 167 for 6 from 30 overs.

Gala Bowling:

L.Skeldon 6-0-29-2

J.Bell 6-0-28-0

J.Imray 6-0-26-1

R.Paterson 6-0-38-1

K.Toor 3-0-32-2

F.Rutherford 3-0-12-0

Gala Innings

S.Anderson ct R.Grant b E.May 36

J.Bell LBW A.Kidd 10

G.Ormiston b M.Gore 17

F.Rutherford retired not out 53

J.Imray ct W.Hodgson b E.May 8

R.Paterson ct R.Grant b E.May 0

K.Toor not out 7

S.McAneny b M.Gore 0

J.Boyle b M.Gore 0

L.Skeldon ct R.Grant b E.May 0

R.Anderson not out 3

Extras – 22

Total: Gala Sunday XI 159 for 9 from 30 overs.

Grange Bowling:

F.Tracey 5-0-14-0

A.Kidd 5-1-10-1

H.Kidd 5-0-27-0

M.Gore 5-1-21-3

C.Gore 4-0-39-0

E.May 6-1-34-1