The Gala 2nd XI welcomed Edinburgh South 3 XI to Meigle Park on Saturday in the final pre-season fixture ahead of the 2022 league season starting. Good performances with both bat and ball led Gala to a 3-wicket win chasing their target down with 8 overs to spare.

Edinburgh South started well with the bat in their innings with Vilthalani playing some good strokes in a pairing with Martin who made 18 before S Paterson caught him trapped in front lbw. After removing the Edinburgh South opener, Gala continued to take wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings by applying pressure with some tight bowling. Gilchrist then took the wicket of danger man Vithalani for 34, he and Scott Paterson ripped through the Souths line-up with both players taking 3 wickets each. Junior Kieran Toor also took 2 wickets for the home side in an impressive bowling spell with Liam Skeldon and another junior in Ruaridh Anderson both taking 1 each. Kenny Paterson showed his excellence in the field taking two catches as well in an overall impressive bowling and fielding performance from the 2’s. Gala would have to chase 119 in their 40 overs to claim the win.

In reply, Gala lost James Boyle early for a duck however Kieran Toor (15) and Ross Patterson (21) both worked hard for their runs, supplying Gala with a solid platform to chase down their target. A middle order collapse however would have the home side worried with Mohammed, J Singh and J Blood all causing issues for the Gala middle order. Kenny Paterson played steadily and solidly playing a support role to junior Sam McAneny as he took to the Edinburgh South bowlers scoring 22 before being bowled by G Williams. Skeldon would come in but would make no difference to the score as he finished not out along with Kenny Paterson (9) who showed great calm and experience in a position that could have left the lower order compromised.

A great first win for the 2’s team this year that will certainly boost confidence going into the first league game of the season where the team are at home again, welcoming Kirk Brae 2nd XI. Thanks again to Edinburgh South for making the trip down and we wish them all the best for the season.

EDINBURGH SOUTH SCORECARD
D Vithalani b R Gilchrist 34
S Martin lbw S Paterson 18
B Blood ct K Paterson b R Gilchrist 7
R Dhor ct K Paterson b R Anderson 9
P Griffiths b L Skeldon 6
J Singh lbw R Gilchrist 0
G Williams ct S McAneny b K Toor 9
A Mohammed ct unsure b S Paterson 16
J Blood ct J Boyle B K Toor 0
R Barnard not out 7
P Singh ct R Patterson b S Paterson 1
Extras 12
Edinburgh South 3’s 119 all out off 31.3 overs

GALA BOWLING
L Skeldon 5-0-29-1
S Paterson 7.3-1-27-3
M Maceira 3-0-8-0
R Gilchrist 8-0-30-3
R Anderson 5-0-17-1
K Toor 3-0-8-2

GALA SCORECARD
R Patterson b J Blood 21
J Boyle b P Singh 0
K Toor lbw A Mohammed 15
R Anderson lbw A Mohammed 0
S Paterson b J Singh 11
R Gilchrist b J Blood 1
K Paterson not out 9
S McAneny b G Williams 22
L Skeldon not out 0
Extras 41
Gala 2’s 120 for 7 off 32 overs

EDINBURGH SOUTH BOWLING
P Singh 4-1-8-1
R Barnard 6-2-16-0
A Mohammed 6-0-18-2
D Vithalani 5-0-17-0
J Singh 5-2-23-1
J Blood 4-1-4-2
G Williams 2-0-14-1