Impressive displays from Upul Indrasiri and Jamie Crooks led the way as Gala claimed victory over Melrose by 69 runs in the Border T20 Cup on Thursday night at Meigle Park.
The win means Gala maintain their 100 percent record in this years competition, winning 4 games from 4 with only one more group stage game to play.
Batting first, Gala got off to a blistering start with Indrasiri sending the ball to all parts of the boundary. He was well supported by Crooks who also looked in fine form as he too played some aggressive shots to the fence. Gala brought up their 100 in just the 10th over thanks to both openers innings. The pairs excellent performance was capped by a fantastic 136 run partnership. A stand that will undoubtedly be the highest made by an opening Gala pair in a long time. Melrose eventually claimed their first wicket at this stage however in the 15th over as Indrasiri (87) was caught at slip looking to inflict further damage to the visitors bowling attack.
Melrose managed to claw their way back into the game at this point as the home sides run rate began to slow. Duncan Millar (3) and Josh Irvine (7) both fell cheaply looking to keep the Gala scoring rate high. Jamie Crooks was then bowled by Compton just 5 short of a half century after a fantastically managed innings.
Scott Paterson (2*) and Siddhanth Ponneri (15*) both came together to see Gala through to the end of their innings with Ponneri playing a late flurry of shots to take Gala to 179 for 4 from their 20 overs.
The visitors made a reasonable start in reply, putting on 24 from the first 5 overs for no wicket. The first breakthrough was then made by Indrasiri who claimed the wicket of opener Scott, a player who many of the Gala players found a familiar face as the batsman played against Gala earlier in the season for Grange, top scoring in that match with 73. The second wicket fell soon after with some sharp work from Duncan Millar behind the stumps giving Indrasiri his second wicket and leaving the visitors 30 for 2.
Melrose wickets began to fall at regular intervals thanks to some good bowling from Dinesh Tharanga (2 wickets), Janie Crooks (2 wickets) and Scott Paterson (1 wicket) and the visitors found themselves well below the run rate and struggling on 81 for 7 from 17 overs. Some late striking from Melrose’s Williams carried his team beyond the 100 mark and the away side ended on 110 for 7.
Another good win for Gala with plenty of positives to take moving forward. The 1st XI travel to Kelso on Saturday while the 2nd XI host Edinburgh South and Meigle Park.
Thanks to Melrose for the game and good luck for the rest of the season.
Gala Innings
J.Crooks b E.Compton 45
U.Indrasiri ct M.Rogerson b G.Lindsay 87
D.Millar ct C.Scott b A Davenport 3
J.Irvine ct C.Scott b D.Mason 7
S.Paterson not out 2
S.Ponneri not out 15
Extras – 20
Total: Gala 179 for 4 from 20 overs.
Melrose Bowling:
S.Hosny 4-0-31-0
O.Phillips 4-0-38-0
G.Lindsay 4-0-42-1
A.Davenport 4-0-32-1
E.Compton 2-0-10-1
D.Mason 2-0-22-1
Melrose Innings
C.Scott ct S.Paterson b U.Indrasiri 5
G.Lindsay b D.Tharanga 36
A.Davenport st D.Millar b U.Indrasiri 2
O.Phillips ct D.Millar b S.Paterson 19
M.Rogerson ct R.Irvine b D.Tharanga 0
E.Lindsay c+b J.Crooks 5
S.Hosny ct D.Millar b J.Crooks 5
R.Williams not out 24
D.Mason not out 7
Extras – 7
Total: Melrose 110 for 7 from 20 overs.
Gala Bowling:
U.Indrasiri 4-1-14-2
R.Irvine 4-0-23-0
D.Tharanga 4-0-18-2
S.Paterson 3-0-15-1
J.Crooks 3-0-20-2
S.Ponneri 2-0-18-0