A destructive innings from Khalia and Irvine as well as a timely knock from Indrasiri helped Gala go four wins from four in the Border T20 League, and progress to the next round of the Scottish T20 East Qualifier as Gala hosted Manderston to Mossilee on Tuesday Evening. As the sun shined across Meigle Park, captain Irvine would win the toss and put the visitors out into the field.

 The beginning of the Gala innings would start poorly as the home side would lose all-rounder Tharanga in the first over after he spooned a ball up to Conington who gladly took the catch at slip. Despite losing Tharanga with only 1 run on the board, this would not change the Gala approach to the Manderston attack as overseas amateur Khalia showed an extreme assault onto the bowlers as he raced along in scoring runs for himself. At the other end, professional Indrasiri played a more calming innings rotating the strike well and punishing the poorly delivered ball when it came as he notched up runs for his personal tally as Gala reached the half century mark after 5 overs. Khalia continued to knock the ball about as he reached his half century in rapid time and as he brought up his half century Gala were cruising with the score on 100 after 9 overs. Khalia unfortunately fell for the home side as he scored 64 however this brought in the dangerous Irvine and with Indrasiri still going strong at the other end, the pair looked to increase the score. Irvine carried on where Khalia left off as he hit some lethal balls, dispatching them all over Meigle Park as he made 82 including eight 4’s and 5 maximums as well as Indrasiri finishing the innings with a well-made 68 as Gala posted 237 off their 20 overs.

The Manderston innings started off brightly with Richards and Martin before Eyre struck thanks to a catch from Robbie Paterson dismissing Richards for 30 as the openers put on 53 for the first wicket. After this wicket fell the floodgates opened with a fine run out from Irvine as well as Crooks managing to take 3 wickets from his 3 overs. Manderston managed a bit of a fight back showing a resurgence before Rutherford took the wicket of Scott for 10 and McAneny once again bowling well taking 2 wickets in his 4 over spell. With Manderston 8 wickets down time ran out as the visitors finished on a respectable 125 off their 20 overs.

With this win Gala progress to the final of the East Qualifier for the Scottish T20 Cup as well as continuing their unbeaten start to the season in the Border T20 League. A big thanks to Manderston for venturing up to Meigle Park for a good game played in great spirit as we wish them well for the rest of the season. Gala are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Linlithgow to Meigle Park in the East Championship.

GALA SCORECARD

U Indrasiri not out 68

D Tharanga c M Conington b B Ebner 0

R Khalia c H Martin b M Richards 64

J Irvine not out 82

Extras 23

Gala 237 for 2 wickets after 20 overs

MANDERSTON BOWLING

B Ebner 4-0-36-1

C Scott 2-0-32-0

M Richards 4-0-44-1

T Burgess 4-0-30-0

E Richards 2-0-24-0

J Anderson 2-0-46-0

H Tomlyn 2-0-21-0

MANDERSTON SCORECARD

M Richards c R Paterson b E Eyre 30

H Martin b J Crooks 23

T Burgess run out (J Irvine) 4

S Walsh c R Khalia b J Crooks 4

H Tomlyn st R Khalia b J Crooks 0

C Scott c R Khalia b F Rutherford 10

M Conington c U Indrasiri b S McAneny 20

E Richards not out 11

B Ebner not out 1

Extras 12

Manderston 125 for 8 wickets after 20 overs

GALA BOWLING

L Skeldon 3-0-23-0

S McAneny 4-0-35-2

E Eyre 4-0-24-1

J Crooks 3-0-7-3

R Paterson 4-0-27-0

F Rutherford 2-0-6-1