On Saturday Gala 1st XI travelled to Grange Loan to take on Carlton 2nd XI in what was an important game for both teams in their Championship campaigns with both teams in the top half of the table looking to close down the gap on the top 2 spots. Skipper Irvine correctly called the toss this week and decided to have a bat on what was a wicket in tip top shape as well as an outfield that the ball would race across.
Gala’s new opening pair Ponneri and Eyre would look to get the visitors off to a solid start however it was anything but a good start, Ponneri would be caught at first slip with the first ball of the match by Ahmad meaning Khalia would have to walk out and join Eyre much earlier than expected. Khalia would then edge the ball into the slips two balls later however the South African was let off after it was dropped. With Gala well and truly on the back foot, Eyre played a crucial role in getting the border side back into the contest as he displayed some lovely strokes putting the ball to the boundary line. He and Khalia would push the score on and from what looked like a vulnerable position from the first over Gala recovered to reach 59 runs after the first 10 overs. Shortly after however, Ahmad would claim his second victim as he had Eyre caught after the opener made a very important 38. Indrasiri would join Khalia however the Sri Lankan would not last long as he made 2 runs before being bowled by Khan meaning Irvine would join Khalia. The pair did well to last until drinks at the halfway stage with the score being on 132. Khalia would then go on to hit his maiden league half-century for the club, an innings that was not the prettiest but certainly gritty as the overseas amateur really had to work for his runs. During the 33rd over Khalia would fall as he chipped up to mid-on off the bowling of Macpherson. Two overs later Irvine would then be caught behind for a well-made 39 however, the skipper would be disappointed in not being able to push on after being set. After the two key wickets of Khalia and Irvine, the Gala order began to fall apart. Gala managed to keep Carlton out in the baking sun until the 50th over where Harris Rutherford hauled out looking to have a swing in the last over meaning Gala finished all out for 202, a score that was certainly under-par but definitely defendable.
The Gala defence of their total started positively when Tharanga struck with Josh Irvine managing to take a blinder of a one-handed catch low to his left as he stood at second slip. Tharanga’s opening partner Rutherford would then claim a wicket with the score on 5 as he trapped Gill and with Gala applying pressure, the home side would be worried. A small partnership formed to take Carlton up to 29 before Tharanga claimed his 2nd wicket as he bowled Macpherson in the eighth over. Tharanga then claimed his 3rd wicket when he bowled Main for 28 reducing Carlton to 45 for 4. Upul Indrasiri was then brought into the tack as he bowled tight lines really restricting the Carlton batting order. Inndrasiri would then take the wicket of Nauman as he looked for a release shot, trying to slog the ball to cow corner only to find the edge of the bat with Scott Paterson taking the catch in the slips. Indrasiri would then bowl Carlton skipper D’ullise with the home side really struggling at 66 for 6. Irvine then opted to attack Carlton with spin from both ends as Crooks joined the attack with the off spinner managing to take a wicket in his 3rd over as he bowled Ahmad. Indrasiri then picked up his 3rd wicket as Josh Irvine took another catch meaning Carlton were well out of the game at 87 for 8. Crooks then took the final 2 wickets in an interesting spell with some poor bowling mixed with good wicket taking balls as he collaborated with Ponneri taking a catch at short cover and Khalia stumping the final wicket leaving Carlton all out on 89.
The same story as every week continues as there are still plenty areas that Gala can work on such as mending their collapse in the batting line-up however to walk away from Grange Loan with our first ever win there the team can be proud of their efforts. The bowling on show from Gala was excellent and this really took the game away from the home side after a two very good opening spells from Harris Rutherford and Tharanga backed by the spin of Indrasiri and Crooks who alongside Tharanga all took 3 wickets. Next Saturday, the 1st team welcome Morton to Meigle Park in a game that will really boost both teams league position as Morton sit in 2nd and Gala in 3rd in what will hopefully be and excellent clash between both clubs.
GALA SCORECARD
S Ponneri c H Simpson b O Ahmad 0
E Eyre c R Main b O Ahmad 38
R Khalia c M Nauman b K Macpherson 62
U Indrasiri b S Khan 2
J Irvine c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 39
F Rutherford c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 2
D Tharanga c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 10
J Crooks b H Simpson 5
S Paterson c K Macpherson b M D’ulisse 10
R Paterson not out 1
H Rutherford c M Nauman b M D’ulisse 4
Extras 29
Gala 1st XI 202 all out after 49.3 overs.
FOW = 1-0, 2-72, 3-83, 4-158, 5-161, 6-166, 7-168, 8-192, 9-194, 10-202
CARLTON BOWLING
O Ahmad 9-2-48-2
C Stronach 7-0-44-0
S Khan 7-0-33-1
H Simpson 10-0-27-1
K Macpherson 10-1-30-4
M D’ulisse 5.3-1-12-2
P Gill 1-0-1-0
CARLTON SCORECARD
M Whittaker c J Irvine b D Tharanga 2
P Gill lbw H Rutherford 3
K Macpherson b D Tharanga 4
R Main b D Tharanga 28
M Nauman c S Paterson b U Indrasiri 17
B D’ulisse b U Indrasiri 4
H Simpson c S Ponneri b J Crooks 15
O Ahmad b J Crooks 4
M D’ulisse c J Irvine b U Indrasiri 1
S Khan st R Khalia b J Crooks 0
C Stronach not out 1
Extras 10
Carlton 2nd XI 89 all out after 27.1 overs
GALA BOWLING
H Rutherford 5-0-25-1
D Tharanga 7-1-31-3
U Indrasiri 9-2-12-3
J Crooks 6.1-1-17-3