Gala 2nd XI travelled to Arboretum in the capital to take on Holy Cross 2nd XI in a game which would be affected by the weather conditions. Before play, both captains agreed to shorten the game to 30 overs a side and with Gala Captain Seb Loumeau winning the toss, he elected to bat first.

The Gala innings did not get off to a good start with Hastings being run out for 5 and Sujan being bowled on 1 leaving Gala 6 for 2. The returning Stuart Anderson and skipper Loumeau then managed to form a partnership with the former playing an anchor role to the expansive shots that the latter showed. The pair brought up Gala’s half century only to lose Loumeau shortly after when he was caught for 30.

Youngster Sam McAneny then came to the crease to join Anderson and the pair set about increasing the run rate. Stuart Anderson was then trapped in front of his stumps after scoring 16 leaving Gala at 77-4. Despite losing partners, McAneny continued to show his class putting the ball to the boundary countless times in an aggressive fighting performance. This attacking style of batting saw the youngster raise his bat for his maiden half century for the town, a performance he can be proud of. Unfortunately, shortly after McAneny found himself short of his crease being run out for 53 and with his wicket falling, the 2nd XI lower order had a collapse. Ashley Robertson and Bailey Paterson however managed to keep their wicket intact with Gala scoring 133 from their 30 overs losing 9 wickets.

Skeldon would open the bowling however, it would be McAneny back into action in the second over taking the wicket of opener Robertson for a duck. Maceira would come on and take the wicket of other opener Worsnop however, for Holy Cross, Parker would score easily reaching 44 before he was caught behind by Max Hastings with Gala’s star man McAneny claiming his wicket. Maceira would then take another 2 wickets in her last 2 overs in a good spell. Robertson would then take 2 wickets in her 4 over spell, really making the game a tense one that would end in a nervy finish. Unfortunately for Gala, it wasn’t to be as Holy Cross reached their target on the second last ball of the game leaving Gala agonisingly short of claiming a victory.

Gala will be devastated with the result however, some great performances from McAneny with bat and ball as well as Maceira again chipping in with wickets will really boost the youngster’s performances in weeks to come as they grow in confidence. Next week the 2nd XI return home to Meigle Park to take on Morton 3rd XI.

GALA SCORECARD
M Hastings run out 5
A Sujan b P Chinnathambi 1
S Anderson lbw R Worsnop 16
S Loumeau c P Chinnathambi b A Robertson 30
S McAneny run out 53
J Boyle c+b P Chinnathambi 8
R Anderson c H Anosh b P Chinnathambi 3
A Robertson not out 1
L Skeldon b J Aide 0
M Maceira b P Chinnathambi 0
B Paterson not out 1

Extras 15

Gala 133 for 9 wickets after 30 overs

HOLY CROSS BOWLING

K Geddes 5-0-25-0
P Chinnathambi 6-0-23-4
A Robertson 4-0-25-1
R Worsnop 6-1-20-1
H Anosh 3-0-19-0
J Aide 6-1-15-1

HOLY CROSS SCORECARD

R Worsnop b M Maceira 16
A Robertson b S McAneny 0
R Parker c M Hastings b S McAneny 44
J Baits b M Maceira 17
H Anosh c R Anderson b M Maceira 10
P Chinnathambi c M Hastings b A Robertson 7
J Aide lbw A Robertson 1
K Lawrie not out 11
K Geddes not out 3

Extras 25

Holy Cross 134 for 7 wickets after 29.5 overs

GALA BOWLING

L Skeldon 6-0-19-0
S McAneny 5.5-0-28-2
S Loumeau 6-0-22-0
M Maceira 6-0-28-3
A Robertson 4-0-22-2
A Sujan 2-0-8-0