Category: Uncategorized

by Kenny Paterson

Club seeks junior administrator(s)

Gala Cricket Club is looking for a junior administrator(s) to carry out the following tasks for the 2023 season:

– Work with coaches to ensure adequate coaching cover in place for training and games

– Request availability of players for games and provide meeting time details

– For away games work with parents and club to ensure transport is arranged

– Liaise with Membership Secretary regarding subscriptions

This is a voluntary role and can be shared if easier. Please contact [email protected] if able to assist.

by Kenny Paterson

Sponsorship opportunities for 2023 now available

As Gala CC enters its 170th year, we are once again offering a range of sponsorship opportunities for supporters, businesses, organisations and members of the community in 2023.

Sponsorship is available from as little as £20, alongside a range of other offers such as our popular sponsorship boards.

There are a range of benefits from supporting the club, including:

  • Complimentary club membership
  • Regular coverage on our website, local press and social media channels where we have over 4,000 followers
  • Invite to our supporters and sponsors day with complimentary drinks and buffet
  • Opportunity to give back to the community and help maintain one of Galashiels’ oldest sports clubs.

If interested please check out our sponsorship brochure below.

Sponsorship Brochure 2023Download

Thank you to all who have and continue to support the club.

by Kenny Paterson

Ron Murray becomes latest life member

Ron Murray has become Gala Cricket Club’s latest life member in recognition of his dedication to the club.

Ron was proposed as a life member at the Meigle Park club’s Annual General Meeting on Friday 3 February.

Ron said: “I am honoured to even be considered a life member of Gala Cricket Club.”

Regarded as one of the club’s best ever players, Ron became the first Gala batsman to score over 1,000 runs in a season, in 1970, with the previous best being held by Jim Mercer in 1897.

Also a talented wicketkeeper, Ron was captain over five seasons in three spells, leading Gala to the Border League title and Border KO Cup.

Since retiring Ron has proved many a wise word to young and senior players through coaching and one-to-one sessions in the nets.

He still contributes to the club as a loyal supporter, providing advice and guidance to the club’s players as well as helping maintain Meigle Park’s garden area with wife Kate.

He has also proved a keen cyclist, taking on many a challenge, most recently in 2019 as part of a team containing a number of club members who took part in a 250 miles charity cycle across the Borders.

While Ron was unable to make the AGM, he reflected afterwards: “There is no doubt I feel that I have taken much more from the club than I have given, in terms of friendships made, great experiences, life skills learnt and sheer enjoyment gained from just being involved in the club.

“To my mind, cricket is the best sport for any youngster to be involved in.

“Apart from anything else, the experience of having a good score one week and being out first ball the next, mirrors the ups and downs of life.”

The AGM reflected on a successful 2022 season, with thanks made to all players, members, supporters, sponsors, scorers and volunteers without whom the club wouldn’t exist.

The meeting also looked ahead to its 170th year in 2023, with the following appointments made on the night.

Co-Chairman: Mike Halls and Kenny Paterson; Secretary: Bruce Robertson; Treasurer: Alan Niven.

1st XI captain: Jack Halls; 1st XI vice-captain: Aashiq Rhode; 2nd XI captain: Liam Skeldon; 2nd XI vice-captain: Ross Patterson.

The club is still looking for volunteers who could lend a few hours to help with day-to-day running of the club. Tasks include ground maintenance, assisting with sponsorship or junior section admin, a bar shift during the season, driving a minibus to an away game, or any other skills you could offer the club.

If you can help or would like some further information on what responsibilities would be for a role at club, please contact [email protected].

Photo of Ron Murray and David Boland – credit Grant Kinghorn

by Kenny Paterson

Gala CC 2023 AGM minutes

Gala Cricket Club – Annual General Meeting, Friday 3 February 2023 at 7.30pm

At British Legion Clubrooms, Galashiels

1. Present

 M. Halls (MH), K. Paterson (KP), A. Niven (AN), M. Dolan (MD), J. Crooks (JC), I. Allan (IA), K. Allan (KA), J. Boyle (JB), A. Rhode (AR), A. McClory (AM), Ross Patterson (RP), D Ormiston (DO), B. Easson (BE), T. Schutte (TS), S. P. Brown (SPB).

2. Adoption of minutes from last year’s AGM

Proposed by AN, seconded by MH.

3. 2022 review

Available to download by clicking here

4. Treasurer’s report

General accounts showed general loss of £10k.

Bar profits rose to £8,729 and overall bank balance sits at £20,249.

Adoption proposed by MH, seconded by DO. MH thanked AN for once again producing accounts.

5. Motions

2023 membership agreed as –

  • £60 senior player (£50 if paid by 31 May)
  • £30 student/under 18 player (£25 if paid by 31 May)
  • £25 junior player (£20 if paid by 31 May)
  • £10 all social members

R. Murray life membership – approved to reflect his unstinting service to Gala CC as a player, coach and support of club. KP to arrange life membership and hospitality day for Ron and family/friends at club during season.

6. Officials elected as follows:

Patron: JPH Scott, Hon President: K C Allan

Hon Vice Presidents: J Brawls, M M Gray OBE, DL, P A Gray, J C McMenemy, R D Murray, A Ormiston, D Ormiston.

Life members: D Ormiston, K C Allan, R Murray

Co-Chairman: M Halls & K Paterson; Secretary: B Robertson; Treasurer: A Niven.

Fixture Secretary: J. Halls; Membership Secretary: L. Maceira.

Bar Working Group: A. Niven, J. Boyle, K. Paterson, A. Hewitt, R. Scott.

Ground Working Group (TBC): D. Ormiston, S. Anderson, B. Robertson, A. Niven, R. Irvine, B. Easson, F. Rutherford, J Purves.

1st XI Captain: J. Halls; 1st XI Vice Captain: A. Rhode

2nd XI Captain: L. Skeldon; 1st XI Vice Captain: R. Patterson

Sunday Team Captain: F. Rutherford.

General Committee: M. Halls, B. Robertson, A Niven, D Ormiston, K Irvine, K Allan, C

Ormiston, B Easson, R Patterson, J. Halls, M. Dolan, L Maceira, K. Paterson, J Boyle.

Junior administrator: TBC; All Stars Cricket Co-ordinators: TBC; Child Protection Officer: B. Robertson.

Ettrick and Lauderdale Sports Council representative: B. Robertson

7. AOCB

New five year club strategy – to be launched on 22 March, MH asked all members to try support and come along.

AGM ended – 8.30pm.

by Kenny Paterson

Junior and senior training details

Indoor training details for coming weeks are now available.

JUNIORS

  • Friday 10 February to Friday 31 March
  • 7pm to 8pm
  • Queens Centre, Galashiels
  • £2 per session

SENIORS

  • Indoor football – Friday 27 January (7 to 8pm), Thursday 2 and 9 February ( 8pm to 9pm), Queens Centre, Galashiels. £3 per session.
  • Nets – Wednesdays 22 February, 1 March, 8 March, 15 March and 29 March, Earlston High. £3 per session.
by Kenny Paterson

Gala AGM – Friday 3 February

Please find agenda for Gala Cricket Club’s annual general meeting on Friday 3 February below.

Please note:

  • Its taking place in British Legion Clubrooms, not YM, and all are welcome.
  • If you have any ideas for general running of club you would like to put forward please submit to [email protected] before meeting
  • The club needs some additional help this season to support and join our small band of volunteers. Doesn’t mean you/they need to come on committee and doesn’t mean need to commit every week – couple of hours every month or even season would be great. Looking for help in particular from anyone who could join a group looking after general ground maintenance.
    In additional anyone who could help with sponsorship, minibus driving, helping with a bar shift, assistance with admin for junior section, social media or any other skills you/friends/family may have which could help the club. If anyone was interested again please contact [email protected] and come along to AGM.

Gala Cricket Club

Annual General Meeting

At Royal British Legion on Friday, 3 February 2023, commencing at 7.30pm.

British Legion address – 22 Park Street, Galashiels, TD1 1BZ

AGENDA

  1. Apologies and welcome
  2. Approval of AGM 2022 minutes
  3. 2022 report (to be provided at meeting)
  4. Treasurer report (to be provided at meeting)
  5. Motions (please submit any motions in advance to [email protected])
  • Life membership nomination
  • 2023 membership fees
  1. Election of office bearers
  2. AOCB
by Kenny Paterson

Gala retain East Championship title in style

Gala secured back to back East Championship titles thanks to a comprehensive victory over Linlithgow at Boghall on the last day of the cricket league season.

Gala knew they had to win to guarantee successive league titles and duly did the business, winning by 129 runs.

Linlithgow chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and it looked a good decision as Gala struggled on a tricky wicket, slipping to 61 for three off 26 overs.

However, Gala managed to add 149 runs from the remaining 24 overs thanks to a captain’s knock by skipper Josh Irvine, who scored 76 off 69 balls, supported by Ridwan Khalia (45) and Finlay Rutherford (19).

In reply, Linlithgow were in trouble straight away and were reduced to 19 for six thanks to three wickets a piece for Scott Paterson and Dinesh Tharanga.

Linlithgow finished on 81 mainly due to a knock of 47 by Rory Saunders, with Paterson ending up with superb figures of 5 for 16.

Gala now head to the East Premiership play off against Meigle this Saturday, which will be played at Freuchie CC.

Meanwhile, Gala 2nds finished their season with a six wicket defeat to Drummond Trinity in Division 6. Gala made 156 for 7 thanks to knocks of 46 from both Robbie Paterson and Seb Loumeau and an unbeaten 14 from Liam Skeldon.

Paterson also took two wickets but it wasn’t enough to deny Trinity the win and their promotion to Division 5.  Gala were in running for promotion til a series of defeats in second half of season meant they finished sixth. But a number of young players were blooded over the season, with six teenagers featuring in the Gala XI against Trinity.

by Kenny Paterson

Over £220 raised for charity at Rowan Boland Tournament

Over £220 was raised for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust as Gala held their annual under 12s tournament on Sunday.

The competition was won by a Gala side who defeated their club counterparts in the final, having beaten off competition from Murrayfield DAFS, Selkirk, Carlton and Stewart’s Melville.

Gala thanks all the clubs who attended, the parents and supporters who assisted with the raffle, bake sale and tea/coffees which helped raised the funds for the Trust which remembers Rowan, a former Gala CC junior player who sadly passed away in 2010.

by Kenny Paterson

Foodbank appeal success

The generosity of members, supporters and players of Gala Cricket Club has resulted in almost 30 bags and boxes of food being donated for Galashiels Foodbank.

In addition, £100 was raised thanks to support from 5 Star Taxis.

The club held the food bank drive week in late July, with a fantastic response seeing a huge number of non perishable items being donated.

Mike Halls, Chair of Gala Cricket Club, said: “A huge thanks to everyone who donated to our foodbank appeal.

“That includes our friends at Settle CC who brought up a number of items when they visited Gala for the annual Davidson-Paterson memorial game.

“We also need to thank 5 Star Taxis for their incredibly generous donation.

“We know this is a difficult time for many people and we hope our efforts can give them a helping hand.”

Galashiels and Area Foodbank Chairman John Tucker added: “I am so grateful to Gala Cricket Club and everyone involved in raising the food and cash donations.

“We will be distributing the food very soon, which will be helpful for people in the local area who are needing some assistance at this time.

“Once again, a very big thank you for the support.”

by Jack Halls

Gala Continue Their Fine Form

Gala made it four wins in a row with an impressive 109 run triumph over high flying Morton at Meigle Park.

The Braw Lads knew a victory was needed if they were to have any chance of retaining their East of Scotland Championship title.

And Gala produced the goods on the club’s sponsors day, mainly thanks to a dominant batting performance which saw the home side score 273 for 3.

The innings saw overseas amateur Ridwan Khalia score his first hundred for Gala, finishing on 113 off 132 balls, which included eight 4s and three 6s.

He was supported by professional Upul Indrasiri who finished 89 not out as the pair put on 189 for the third wicket.

Captain Josh Irvine scored a quickfire 23 off seven balls to guide Gala to their imposing total.

Best bowler for Morton was Aron with 2 for 66.

Morton were on the backfoot from the start of their innings as Gala kept scoring opportunities to a premium.

There was controversy for the first wicket as Morton contested that a Gala catch had actually been dropped but the decision stood.

Dinesh Tharanga bowled Suresh for 16 to leave Morton 46 for 2, and the visitors were then stopped in their tracks by the tight bowling of Jamie Crooks and Indrasiri.

At 55 for 2 at the halfway stage, Morton tried to play more shots but three wickets for Crooks, thanks in part to two excellent catches by Robbie Paterson and Khalia, left them reeling.

Morton kept battling and eventually made it to 164 before Ash Rhode claimed the wicket of Senthil for 21 to seal a Gala win.

Crooks finished with 3 for 36, Indrasiri 2 for 32, Khalia 2 for 20, Scott Paterson 1 for 11 and Rhode 1 for 29.

The club thanks all sponsors and supporters who took part in fantastic sponsors day on Saturday.