An unbeaten half century by Scotland international Michael Leask did the damage as Gala lost out at the semi final stage at the Scottish T20 Finals day. Leask smashed 50 off just 23 balls to lead defending champions Forfarshire to a seven wicket win on Sunday.
But Gala did themselves proud after making their first ever national T20 finals day and competing against one of the best sides in the country. On the day, the Forfarshire XI featured 5 players selected in Scotlands training squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup so Gala can be happy they held their own at times during the match.
Gala captain Josh Irvine won the toss and decided to bat first at Arbroath, who were brilliant hosts for the finals day.
In front of a sizeable Gala support, the Braw Lads got off to a decent start before losing Upul Indrasiri for 13 who was bowled by Leask.
An unfortunate mix up between Sid Ponneri and Josh Irvine saw the former run out for 5. A shame for Ponneri who looked comfortable in the early stages of the game. Irvine and Duncan Millar then came together and put on a decent partnership of 31 only for Irvine to be adjudged lbw to Graeme Black looking to sweep to the boundary.
Duncan Millar however continued and looked totally unphased by the occasion, reverse sweeping the Premiership sides spinners to the boundary. After a good knock of 24, he was eventually caught looking to increase Gala’s run rate. Ash Rhode was then stumped also looking to push on.
Jamie Crooks also looked to take the game to the Forfs as he joint top scored with 24. He played some strong attacking shots before being run out looking to push for a second run.
Jack Halls (10*) and Robbie Irvine (2*) saw Gala through to the close of innings, taking Gala up to a final score of 104 for six, a total that was always going to be difficult to defend.
Forfarshire got off to a blistering start with 13 off the first over, but Robbie Irvine then produced an excellent delivery to bowl Scotland cap Craig Wallace for 13.
Rory Johnston and Leask put on further runs before Johnston – another member of Scotlands training squad – was dismissed by a Dinesh Tharanga slower ball thanks to an excellent catch at short third man by Josh Irvine.
And when Callum Garden fell for two thanks to another good catch by wicketkeeper Millar off the bowling off Ash Rhode, Forfarshire were 60 for 3, still 45 short of their target giving Gala a glimmer of hope. Rhode went agonisingly close to claiming the scalp of Leask after he almost dragged on to his stumps.
But the Scotland man, accompanied by Aman Bailwal (23*) took the game out of sight with powerful hitting and excellent running, as the Broughty Ferry side hit their 105 target in the 11th over.
A comfortable win in the end for the Forfs, who would go on to lose the final later in the day against a strong Carlton side.
All in all Gala can take heart from their performance on the day and be proud of getting to this stage. Many thanks to Arbroath United CC for their hospitality, the Gala CC supporters for coming up to watch the team and to Billy Easson for driving the players and supporters bus on the day.
GALA SCORECARD
S.Ponneri run out (M.Leask) 5
U.Indrasiri b M.Leask 13
J.Irvine LBW G.Black 10
D.Millar ct G.Black b F.Duncan 24
J.Crooks run out (M.Leask) 24
A.Rhode st C.Garden b G.Black 5
J.Halls not out 10
R.Irvine not out 2
Extras – 11
Total: Gala 104 for 6 from 20 overs.
ION8 FORFARSHIRE BOWLING
S.Cameron 3-0-12-0
A.Bailwal 4-0-20-0
M.Leask 3-0-15-1
J.Hogarth 3-0-20-0
G.Carnegie 1-0-10-0
G.Black 4-0-15-2
F.Duncan 2-0-6-1
ION8 FORFARSHIRE SCORECARD
C.Wallace b R.Irvine 13
R.Johnston ct J.Irvine b D.Tharanga 16
M.Leask not out 50
C.Garden ct D.Millar b A.Rhode 2
A.Bailwal not out 23
Extras – 1
Total: Forfarshire 105 for 3 from 10.4 overs.
GALA BOWLING
R.Irvine 3-0-36-1
D.Tharanga 3.4-0-31-1
A.Rhode 2-0-14-1
U.Indrasiri 2-0-23-0