Gala edge home in pre-season nailbiter

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by Jack Halls

The 1st XI got their season off to a winning start following a tough encounter against a spirited Hawick side at Meigle Park on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Gala got off to a slow but steady start. Openers Siddhanth Siddhu and Finlay Rutherford negotiated their way through some good early bowling from the Hawick attack on a tricky wicket. Albeit, they did ride their luck with 3 dropped catches in the field in the first 9 deliveries.

The pair however moved on from this quickly and began to accelerate the home sides run rate as Gala pushed onto 86 for 0 after the opening 20 overs. Sidd Siddhu recorded his first half century of the season following a very well made 54 before being unlucky to be caught from a high full toss. His partner Rutherford (25), who also put together a well made innings, followed nearly immediately after leaving Gala 86 for 2 and the visitors with a breath of fresh air.

The Hawick attack continued to bowl good line and length and put the Gala middle order under a great deal of pressure. A combination of this as well as the visitors enthusiasm in the field led to a flurry of wickets leading to a big Gala batting collapse with only the captain Josh Irvine being the other batsman to reach double figures. Gala eventually slipped to 135 all out from with 2 overs remaining in their innings. The visitors would have been confident going into their batting innings following an excellent bowling display.

The pick of the bowlers for the visitors were Huisamen and Justin Tait who both picked up 3 wickets.

Gala made a positive start in the field and early wickets fell leaving Hawick 20 for 3. Aashiq Rhode, in his first match since his return to the club, claimed the wicket of the dangerous Stuart Hair. Dinesh Tharanga, bowling with his usual accuracy and consistency then claimed the 2 early wickets of Justin Tait and Huisamen.

This brought Phil Mactaggart and Evan Alexander to the crease. The pair began to form a good partnership leaving Gala needing some inspiration to change the course of the game. Sidd Siddhu was then handed the ball and claimed the wicket of Alexander with an excellent delivery.

Gala began to restrict the run rate of Hawick, with Gareth Welsh and Euan Hair both departing quickly to the bowling of Jack Halls. However, Mactaggart remained at the crease and was joined by Ryan Johnston. The pair put on a good partnership and increased the visitors run rate significantly leaving Hawick at one point needed 30 from the last 4 overs.

Gala were thankful when Johnston ultimately chipped up to Josh Irvine off the bowling of Halls, while the former then went onto claim the final two wickets resulting in a Gala victory of 18 runs.

Hawick were always in the game and will take great confidence into their league campaign after their performance. Gala will be disappointed with their batting display and will look to gain form ahead of their opening championship match against Heriots 2nds at Meigle Park this Saturday.

Many thanks to Hawick for the game and all the best for the season ahead.

GALA INNINGS

  • S.Siddhu ct C.Huisamen b G.Welsh 54
  • F.Rutherford ct E.Hair b J.Tait 25
  • J.Crooks ct E.Alexander b C.Huisamen 4
  • J.Irvine ct E.Alexander b C.Huisamen 14
  • D.Millar ct E.Hair b S.Hair 6
  • J.Halls b R.Johnston 5
  • D.Tharanga run out 9
  • A.Rhode ct E.Alexander b M.Tait 0
  • G.Ormiston not out 3
  • J.Gammie ct E.Hair b M.Tait 0
  • J.Bell ct E.Hair b C.Huisamen 0

Extras – 16

Gala 135 all out from 38 overs

Hawick Bowling

  • R.Johnston 7-0-20-1
  • S.Hair 8-1-23-1
  • M.Tait 8-1-25-2
  • G.Welsh 8-0-37-1
  • J.Tait 4-0-17-3
  • C.Huisamen 4-0-12-3

HAWICK INNINGS

  • S.Hair ct S.Siddhu b A.Rhode 5
  • J.Tait LBW D.Tharanga 3
  • C.Huisamen b D.Tharanga 1
  • P.Mactaggart not out 43
  • E.Alexander b S.Siddhu 17
  • G.Welsh b J.Halls 0
  • E.Hair b J.Halls 1
  • D.Solley ct D.Millar b J.Crooks 4
  • R.Johnston ct J.Irvine b J.Halls 17
  • M.Tait ct A.Rhode b J.Irvine 0
  • B.Mactaggart b J.Irvine 1

Extras – 18

Hawick 118 all out from 39.4 overs

Gala Bowling

  • A.Rhode 4-0-10-1
  • D.Tharanga 8-4-7-2
  • G.Ormiston 3-0-28-0
  • S.Siddhu 7-1-27-1
  • J.Halls 7-0-14-3
  • J.Crooks 6-0-19-1
  • J.Irvine 5.4-2-13-2