On Saturday, Gala played host to Penicuik in the Championship on a blustery and overcast day at Meigle Park. The border side headed into this game still looking for their first win of the season whereas Penicuik had already tasted victory as they had beaten Edinburgh the week before.

Penicuik won the toss and decided to bat first opening up with Foulds and Morgan. Irvine again opened with spin and Crooks bowled the first ball of the match, a full toss which Foulds punished to the boundary showing intent from the first ball. When Tharanga struck with the wicket of Morgan, the floodgates partially opened as Gala took wickets regularly to the stage where the visitors found themselves at 7 down with the score on just 76. Bell picked up 2 and Tharanga 3 as the pair led from the front. However, a great innings from Adams and an important knock from captain Picken and a simply awful display from Gala in the field helped Penicuik to score runs and build a solidified partnership. Picken chipped away looking to get Adams on strike and with the pair working brilliantly together, the Gala heads began to drop. Scott Paterson finally managed to get the wicket of Picken for a controlled 28 bringing Crawford to the crease. He made 19 before dancing past one from Crooks and with that Wood and Adams finished the Penicuik innings off reaching 225 with Adams staying unbeaten for an excellent 83. Tharanga was the pick of the Gala bowlers conceding 25 runs for his 3 wickets in his ten over spell.

The Gala reply got off to a poor start with Crooks (0) and Khalia (5) being removed early by Crawford. Rutherford made 17 before chipping a ball to mid-off where skipper Picken waited and claimed his wicket. After this a partnership was formed between Indrasiri and Irvine helping Gala towards their target. The pair managed to punish the bad ball and take easy singles marching Gala nearer and nearer with every over as their partnership lasted 125 runs. Eventually, Irvine was bizarrely caught by Davidson off the helmet of wicketkeeper Murray for 52. Eyre joined Indrasiri but shortly after the latter was found to be lbw of Davidson for an excellent knock of 81. Eyre managed 16 before he was caught and with this there would be a nervy ending to the game despite Gala being in a commanding position 5 overs before. Rhode and Bell chipped in, but both were dismissed and with Paterson being run out Gala with one wicket in hand had Tharanga and Skeldon at the crease. Skeldon blocked out five balls for Tharanga to take the strike in the last over needing 3 to win. Luckily for Gala, no more runs were scored off the bat with 3 wides being bowled meaning Gala won their first game of the season by 1 wicket.

A nervy ending to the game from what was a commanding position to win will frustrate Gala however the team can be relieved they have finally come away with a win. Lots of things to work on for the 1st XI before they head up to Campbell Park next week to take on Edinburgh.

PENICUIK SCORECARD
M Foulds c J Irvine b J Bell 23
W Morgan c J Bell b D Tharanga 14
R Davidson lbw D Tharanga 6
H Murray c R Khalia b J Bell 5
T Wylie b U Indrasiri 12
Z Crawley c R Khalia b S Paterson 5
R Adams not out 83
O Picken c R Khalia b S Paterson 28
C Crawford b J Crooks 19
E Wood not out 2

Extras 27

Penicuik 225-9 off 50 overs

FOW = 1-24, 2-43, 3-55, 4-55, 5-60, 6-75, 7-76, 8-161, 9-209

GALA BOWLING

J Crooks 7-0-48-1
D Tharanga 10-4-25-3
J Bell 7-0-47-2
S Paterson 10-2-40-2
U Indrasiri 10-3-18-1
L Skeldon 1-0-10-0
J Irvine 2-0-16-0
A Rhode 3-0-14-0

GALA SCORECARD

F Rutherford c O Picken b R Adams 17
J Crooks c S Charleson b C Crawford 0
R Khalia b C Crawford 5
U Indrasiri lbw R Davidson 81
J Irvine c R Davidson b W Morgan 52
E Eyre c Z Crawley b R Davidson 16
A Rhode c O Picken b R Davidson 4
D Tharanga not out 6
S Paterson run out 0
J Bell c M Foulds b R Adams 5
L Skeldon not out 0

Extras 40

Gala 226-9 off 49.1 overs

FOW = 1-1, 2-8, 3-44, 4-169, 5-193, 6-205, 7-206, 8-215, 9-223

PENICUIK BOWLING

C Crawford 10-1-41-2
O Picken 10-1-38-0
R Adams 6-0-24-2
W Morgan 10-1-37-1
E Wood 3-1-30-0
R Davidson 10-1-42-3