Wishing all of our players, members, supporters, sponsors and committee a very happy new year! Looking forward to what 2020 brings! 

Gala claimed their first Border 2020 Cup for five years after defeating Selkirk by 14 runs at a damp Meigle Park.

Duncan Millar capped off a run-filled summer with a fine knock of 77 as Gala made a competitive 121 for three from 15 overs after rain forced a reduced overs game.

In reply, Greg Fenton once again led the Selkirk challenge with a half century before the Souters fell short on 107 for six wickets.

Gala and Selkirk had been involved in two thrilling 2020 games this season which were both decided in the last over and this game was no different.

Millar scored his second ton of the season to help Gala seal the East Division One title the week before, and he smashed nine 4s in the final.

His partnership of 76 with Dinesh Tharanga (22) for the second wicket proved vital to leave Selkirk needing eight an over to win the cup.

And the visitors were up with the scoring rate after seven overs as they reached 56 for 2, despite having lost key batsman Rory Banks who was stumped by Millar off the bowling of Scott Evans for 9.

But when Fenton departed for a fine 52 to the bowling of Rory Hancock, Selkirk’s scoring rate slowed, leaving them needing 21 to win off the final over.

They could only manage six runs, to leave Gala to claim their second trophy of the season.

Gala

D. Millar run out 77

F. Rutherford ct I. Banks b B. Wilkinson 5

D. Tharanga run out 22

S. Siddhu not out 7

S. Evans not out 0

Extras – 10

Total – 121 for three wickets

G. Fenton 3-0-13-0; J. Reid 3-0-25-0; B. Wilkinson 3-0-28-1; D. Gardiner 3-0-22-0; R. Banks 3-0-28-0.

Selkirk

G. Fenton b R. Hancock 52

R. Banks st D. Millar b S. Evans 9

J. Reid run out 2

M. Fenton run out 5

B. Wilkinson run out 3

D. Gardiner not out 15

I. Gardiner b J. Crooks 1

D. Heard not out 1

Extras – 19

Total – 107 for six wickets

D. Moir 3-0-20-0; S. Evans 3-0-21-1; S. Paterson 3-0-20-0; D. Tharanga 3-0-27-0; R. Hancock 2-0-8-1; J. Crooks 1-0-6-1.

Settle reclaimed the Davidson-Paterson Memorial Trophy with an 81 run win over Gala at a sun-kissed Meigle Park.

The Yorkshire side posted 198 with Simon Tarbox and Will Davidson both retiring with 50s.

In reply, Gala were never at the races as they finished on 112, with Sid Siddhu (20) top scoring, while youngsters Liam Skeldon and Jamie Bell both scored 10 not out at the end of the innings.

A new trophy for player of the match – dedicated to Settle’s Paul Strickland who sadly passed away in July – was presented to Will Davidson.

Alongside the memorial match was a Lavender Touch Family Day which saw a variety of entertainment, at the same time as welcoming home the Over the Hill riders who have raised thousands of pounds for the charity through their 250 Borders Cycle.

Settle

J. Pickles b C. Ormiston 4

R. Sumner ct R. Hancock b C. Ormiston 14

S. Tarbox retired 50

J. Davidson ct J. Bell b S. Evans 36

B. Hulse ct & b A. Rhode 1

W. Davidson retired 51

A. Silva not out 30

J. Ether b S. Evans 0

T. Davidson b D. Tharanga 0

P. Husbands ct M. Hastings b A. Rhode 1

Extras – 8

Total – 198 for 7 wickets

C. Ormiston 3-0-19-2; R. Hancock 3-0-8-0; L. Skeldon 3-0-18-0; R. Paterson 3-0-24-0; A. Rhode 4-0-22-2; J. Crooks 3-0-26-0; D. Tharanga 4-0-33-1; F. Rutherford 3-0-29-0.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct S. Tarbox b A. Silva 20

R. Hancock run out 13

F. Rutherford ct R. Sumner b A. Silva 10

A. Rhode ct W. Davidson b A. Silva 0

D. Tharanga ct J. Davidson b A. Silva 15

S. Evans b W. Davidson 2

J. Crooks ct R. Davidson b J. Pickles 5

R. Paterson b J. Davidson 0

M. Hastings ct & b J. Davidson 6

C. Ormiston ct T. Harris b J. Etner 0

J. Bell not out 10

L. Skeldon not out 10

Extras – 9

Total – 112 for nine wickets

J. Etner 4-0-15-1; T. Harris 2-0-15-0; R. Sumner 1-0-12-0; W. Davidson 3-0-7-1; A. Silva 3-0-10-4; J. Pickles 3-0-10-1; J. Davidson 4-0-18-2; R. Davidson 1-1-0-0.

Gala/Hawick Development team secured only their second win of the season in the final match of 2019.

The development team won by 38 runs against Musselburgh 3rds at Hawick, with Craig Thomson top scoring with 41 as the home side made 155 for 5 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Thomson and Liam Skeldon kept things tight early on to put pressure on Musselburgh, and they were never up with the scoring rate as they finished 117 for seven.

Seb Loumeau (2 for 13) was leading wicket taker, with Thomson, Liam Skeldon, Maisie Maciera, Robbie Paterson and Fergus Hastings all claiming a wicket each.

Gala/Hawick Development team

J. Boyle run out 18

J. Purves retired hurt 10

C. Thomson b V. Mahesh 41

S. Loumeau b C. Miller 0

R. Paterson b C. Miller 0

J. Sax-Simpson b C. Miller 0

L. Skeldon not out 14

S. Skeldon not out 22

Extras – 49

Total – 155 for five wickets

T. Chakrabaty 7-0-32-0; D. Dey 8-0-29-0; C. Miller 8-2-13-3; J. Slaven 8-1-23-0; V. Mahesh 6-0-38-0; R. Chambers 2-1-6-0; J. Surtees 1-0-9-0.

Musselburgh 3rds

J. Surtees ct J. Sax-Simpson b C. Thomson 13

T. Chakrabaty b S. Loumeau 1

R. McKenzie b S. Loumeau 7

M. Purves ct J. Sax-Simpson b F. Hastings 1

R. Chambers b M. Maciera 32

C. Turnbull not out 31

D. Dey ct & b R. Paterson 1

J. Slaven b L. Skeldon 8

V. Mahesh not out 5

Extras – 18

Total – 117 for seven wickets

C. Thomson 8-1-16-1; L. Skeldon 6-2-15-1; S. Loumeau 8-5-13-2; M. Maciera 7-0-27-1; R. Paterson 8-1-29-1; F. Hastings 3-0-14-1.

Gala claimed the Division One title despite losing a thrilling match against Royal High Corstorphine 2nds at Meigle Park.

RHC captain Rob Clarkson smashed a huge six off the third last ball of the game to claim the win, but as Gala had scored 196 and taken nine wickets, they secured enough bonus losing points to take the league title.

The finale did not overshadow a brilliant second 100 of the season by stand-in skipper Duncan Millar, who came to the crease after just one ball when in-form Sid Siddhu was caught off the first ball of the match.,

Millar and Finlay Rutherford patiently rebuilt the innings, with Millar then going on to be the dominant player in a number of partnerships.

Jamie Crooks (26) and Rory Hancock (10) added vital runs as Gala produced a decent total to defend.

The hosts got off to the perfect start as Dean Moir claimed Michael Grant for a duck.

Millar uncharacteristically dropped Hassan soon after, who proceeded to make a quickfire 35 before Kenny Paterson took a good diving catch to dismiss the number three.

But there was better to come as Rory Hancock claimed the best catch of the season from his own bowling to claim James Carr (23).

Arnie Sathiy (68) took the game to Gala with a number of aggressive shots as RHC appeared to be heading for a fairly comfortable win.

However, when Sathiy was bowled by Dean Moir, the visitors still need 16 to win from 6 overs and only two wickets remaining.

Scott Paterson then bowled Callum Dowie to set up a final over where RHC needed six runs to win.

Two runs and a dot ball meant four was needed from four balls, but Clarkson needed just one to smash a six and claim victory.

Paterson (3 for 34) and Moir (3 for 45) were the leading wicket takers for Gala.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct I. Farooq b W. Bradley 0

F. Rutherford ct A. Sathiy b R. Clarkson 9

D. Millar not out 104

S. Evans b W. Bradley 7

R. Paterson ct & b W. Bradley 2

J. Crooks ct & b W. Bradley 26

D. Moir b C. Dowie 0

M. Hastings b R. Clarkson 2

R. Hancock ct R. Hassan b R. Clarkson 10

K. Paterson not out 3

Extras – 33

Total – 196 for 8 wickets

W. Bradley 9-0-38-3; R. Clarkson 3-1-30-3; A. Anwar 9-1-43-0; J. Carr 9-2-34-0; C. Dowie 9-0-45-2.

RHC 2nds

J. Carr ct & b R. Hancock 23

M. Grant ct D. Millar b D. Moir 0

R. Hassan ct K. Paterson b S. Evans 35

A. Sathiy b D. Moir 68

A. Anwar lbw S. Paterson 9

M. Fotheringham ct D. Millar b S. Paterson 17

I. Farooq lbw D. Moir 1

W. Bradley ct S. Siddhu b R. Patterson 7

C. Dowie b S. Paterson 3

R. Clarkson not out 12

A. Lawrie not out 2

Extras – 18

Total – 199 for 9 wickets

D. Moir 9-0-45-3; S. Evans 9-2-36-1; J. Crooks 6-0-25-0; R. Hancock 9-0-42-1; S. Paterson 7.3-0-34-3; R. Patterson 4-0-8-1.

Gala Cricket Club have found the back of the net after generous support from the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

The Meigle Park club were faced with a conundrum in early 2019 when their old training nets – which had served the club well for around 10 years – were damaged beyond repair during high winter winds.

However, up stepped main junior sponsor the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust to support the club to purchase a bespoke built frame and new netting.

The nets have been well used throughout the summer by Gala CC’s junior section, in particularly the under 16s who have competed in the Edinburgh League for the first time this season.

Gala CC will now install a cairn dedicated to Rowan Boland and the Trust beside the nets as a small thank you for the charity’s lengthy support of the club.

Jack Halls, Junior Convener of Gala Cricket Club, said: “The club has made great strides in recent years with new facilities installed helping us to host a series of women’s international games and extend our junior section with All Stars and under 16s now part of the set up.

“This progress would not have been achievable were it not for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

“Their support has been invaluable and we cannot thank them enough for helping to fund our new training nets and being the main sponsors of our junior section this season.

“Alongside the Trust, we must also thank Morrison and Murray for building the new frame for the nets, Keith Irvine, Stevie Halls, Davie Ormiston and other club members for helping to concrete the nets area and John Marr for building the cairn which should be in place very soon.”

Gala’s junior section have also been sponsored by Cademuir Engineering, who funded free water bottle for each junior member, MKM Building Supplies and Caravan Fix, all of whom are thanked for their generous support in 2019.

Jack added: “The club also thanks Stuart Skeldon for his coaching with the juniors and minibus driving to away games this season, alongside all the other coaches and parents who have helped.”

Gala CC will now install a cairn dedicated to Rowan Boland and the Trust beside the nets as a small thank you for the charity’s lengthy support of the club.

Jack Halls, Junior Convener of Gala Cricket Club, said: “The club has made great strides in recent years with new facilities installed helping us to host a series of women’s international games and extend our junior section with All Stars and under 16s now part of the set up.

“This progress would not have been achievable were it not for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

“Their support has been invaluable and we cannot thank them enough for helping to fund our new training nets and being the main sponsors of our junior section this season.

“Alongside the Trust, we must also thank Morrison and Murray for building the new frame for the nets, Keith Irvine, Stevie Halls, Davie Ormiston and other club members for helping to concrete the nets area and John Marr for building the cairn which should be in place very soon.”

Gala’s junior section have also been sponsored by Cademuir Engineering, who funded free water bottle for each junior member, MKM Building Supplies and Caravan Fix, all of whom are thanked for their generous support in 2019.

Jack added: “The club also thanks Stuart Skeldon for his coaching with the juniors and minibus driving to away games this season, alongside all the other coaches and parents who have helped.”

A youthful Gala/Hawick Development side put in an excellent performance at Penicuik 2nds only to fall to a two wicket loss.

The team contained nine players under 20 years of age but pushed their hosts all the way at Kirkhill.

Batting first, Alex Hastings made an excellent half century to get Gala/Hawick up to a total of 120 all out, with Stuart Skeldon adding 20 and John Purves – on his first game of cricket for over 20 years – scored 18. Walter took 3 for 11 for Penicuik.

Penicuik looked set for a comfortable win as first team player Murray got them off to a flyer but Gala/Hawick claimed regular wickets to set up a tight finale before Airey (30 not out) got the hosts over the line.

Liam Skeldon claimed two wickets, while Robbie Paterson, Maisie Maciera, Fergus Hastings and Finlay Skeldon took a wicket each.

Special mention to 12th ‘man’ Murray Purves who turned out for the first time for the development team alongside his dad.

Gala/Hawick

J. Boyle ct F. Ingram b R. Airey 3

A. Hastings b P. Kingsbury 54

J. Bell b F. Ingram 0

R. Paterson b R. Airey 6

J. Purves lbw b G. Ingram 18

L. Skeldon run out (R. Docherty) 1

C. Fernandes b G. Ingram 0

S. Skeldon not out 20

F. Hastings b S. Walter 0

M. Maciera b S. Walter 3

F. Skeldon b S. Walter 0

Extras – 15

Total – 120 for ten wickets

F. Ingram 5-1-17-1; R. Airey 8-1-12-2; B. Gray 1-0-1-0; P. Kingsbury 8-1-28-1; H. Murray 5-0-16-0; G. Ingram 2-0-6-2; R. Docherty 2-0-11-0; S. Walter 3-0-11-3.

Penicuik 2nds

D. Ainslie lbw L. Skeldon 18

H. Murray b R. Paterson 44

J. Leslie ct J. Bell b L. Skeldon 13

P. Kingsbury lbw M. Maceira 8

R. Airey not out 30

S. Walter b R. Paterson 3

G. Ingram b S. Skeldon 1

F. Ingram run out (A. Hastings) 0

H. Fisken ct J. Bell b F. Skeldon 0

B. Gray not out 0

Extras – 11

A. Hastings 3.1-0-33-0; L. Skeldon 8-0-41-2; R. Paterson 4-0-16-1; F. Hastings 4-0-8-1; M. Maceira 4-2-5-1; J. Boyle 2-0-13-0; F. Skeldon 3-0-4-1.

Gala are on the verge of promotion after Sid Siddhu led the Braw Lads to a five wicket win against Watsonians 2nds at Meigle Park.

Siddhu scored a superb unbeaten 65 as Gala overcame their opponents’ total of 115 to stay top of Division One.

Ground staff Stevie Halls and Davie and Caitlin Ormiston carried out a minor miracle to get the game played, after the consistent heavy rain during the previous week had left Meigle Park sodden.

While the pitch was green and outfield damp, it was certainly playable and produced a tense and exciting game.

Watsonians chose to bat first upon winning the toss, but were soon in deep trouble at 53 for 5 as Jack Gammie, Rory Hancock and Kenny Paterson all made good catches, with Scott Evans, Scott Paterson and Dean Moir among the wickets.

Worse was to follow for the Edinburgh side as they slumped to 74 for 8, as Dinesh Tharanga claimed Willsdon with a superb slower ball, Hancock and Duncan Millar combined for a brilliant run out of Robertson and Paterson bowled Burgess.

But youngsters Abbey (16 not out) and Vehlow (23) batted with maturity and skill to add 41 for the ninth wicket before Evans bowled Vehlow and Moir brilliantly ran out last man Baltzer to conclude the innings.

Evans was top bowler again with 3 for 20, with Scott Paterson (2 for 21) and Moir (2 for 25) also among the wickets.

In reply, Siddhu played with his usual aggressive style while Max Hastings played an anchor role to take Gala to 35 before being adjudged lbw to Abbey.

There was then controversy when Siddhu was caught by Willsdon off a Burgess delivery, only for a no ball to be given. It was a late call which left Watsonians furious but the umpire was adamant Burgess’ front foot had been beyond the crease.

Millar (11) fell soon after lbw to Burgess and captain Dinesh Tharanga was then run out as Gala began to creak at 66 for 3.

But Evans and Ross Patterson supported Siddhu well to get Gala to the verge of victory, before the Indian clipped another four in the 28^th over to seal the win.

Siddhu finished with 10 fours and deservedly picked up the man of the match award from main sponsor Sinclair Duncan on the club’s annual Supporters Day.

Watsonians 2nds

F. Kinloch ct R. Hancock b S. Evans 11

F. Sands ct J. Gammie b D. Moir 5

C. Martn b D. Moir 4

K. Rae ct K. Paterson b S. Evans 11

O. Robertson run out (R Hancock) 16

P. High lbw S. Paterson 7

C. Willsdon b D. Tharanga 10

E. Burgess b S. Paterson 2

A. Abbey not out 16

D. Vehlow b S. Evans 23

G. Baltzer run out (D. Moir) 0

Extras – 10

Total – 115 for ten wickets

D. Moir 9-1-25-2; S. Evans 9-2-20-3; S. Paterson 9-2-21-2; D. Tharanga 9-2-14-1; R. Hancock 2.4-0-14-0; R. Patterson 2-0-16-0.

Gala

S. Siddhu not out 65

M. Hastings lbw A. Abbey 4

D. Millar lbw E. Burgess 11

D. Tharanga run out (F. Kinloch) 0

S. Evans ct C. Willsdon b P. High 0

R. Patterson ct C. Martin b P. High 5

K. Paterson not out 0

Extras – 23

Total – 117 for five wickets

F. Sands 6-0-27-0; A. Abbey 5-1-18-1; E. Burgess 8.4-1-42-1; P. High 8-0-20-2.

Simon Fairburn swapped his golf clubs for a cricket bat to help Gala squeeze past Selkirk and into a Border 2020 final.

Selkirk had defeated Gala in the Murgitroyd 2020 Border semi-final in June by just three runs, and it looked like they may repeat their victory with the Braw Lads needing nine runs off the last eight balls.

But with the pressure mounting, Fairburn smashed two consecutive fours in the penultimate over, to allow Finlay Rutherford to knock off the winning run in the last over.

Selkirk batted first at a damp Meigle Park, and started well with in-form Greg Fenton (17) and Rory Banks putting on 34 from the first five overs.

But Scott Evans claimed Fenton after Scott Paterson made a good catch at first slip, and then bowled David Gardiner in the same over.

The loss of two wickets slowed down Selkirk’s scoring rate for a few overs, but Banks then took the game to Gala, making a fine 72 which included seven 4s and two 6s before Dean Moir had him caught by Finlay Rutherford.

Selkirk finished on 121 for four wickets, with Evans (2 for 18) top bowler for Gala alongside Moir who only conceded 11 runs for one wicket from his four overs.

Gala got off to a poor start as Duncan Millar (5) and Jamie Crooks (10) both fell early to Banks to leave the hosts 22 for 2.

Dinesh Tharanga (23) and Evans (34) put on a 50 run partnership to get Gala back into the game and when both fell in quick succession Rutherford and Moir (13) had another useful partnership.

When Moir departed, Gala still needed 12 runs from the last two overs in another dramatic finish.

But Fairburn (9 not out) and Rutherford (20 not out) saw the hosts home.

Selkirk

G. Fenton ct S. Paterson b S. Evans 17

R. Banks ct F. Rutherford b D. Moir 72

D. Gardiner b S. Evans 0

B. Wilkinson not out 16

M. Fenton ct S. Fairburn b R. Patterson 6

J. Allan not out 0

Extras – 10

Total – 121 for four wickets

S. Paterson 3-0-21-0; S. Evans 4-0-18-2; D. Moir 4-0-11-1; D. Tharanga 4-0-23-0; J. Crooks 3-0-35-0; R. Patterson 2-0-10-1.

Gala

D. Millar ct K. Easson b R. Banks 5

J. Crooks b R. Banks 10

D. Tharanga b D. Heard 23

S. Evans run out 34

F. Rutherford not out 20

D. Moir ct G. Fenton b D. Heard 13

S. Fairburn not out 9

Extras – 11

Total – 122 for five wickets

G. Fenton 4-0-23-0; R. Banks 4-0-17-2; D. Gardiner 4-0-14-0; B. Wilkinson 2-0-12-0; D. Heard 3.1-0-17-2; I. Gardiner 2-0-21-0.

Conor Young switched from rugby to cricket to lead Melrose to a shock win over Gala in the Border 2020 League at Huntlyburn.

Scotland club rugby internationalist prop Young claimed three wickets and scored a half century as Melrose won by six wickets.

Batting first on a very difficult wicket, Gala tried to hit their way out of trouble rather than build an innings, failing to even reach the end of the 20 overs as they were all out for 88.

Gala got off to a decent start before Duncan Millar was deceived by the low bounce of the wicket and was caught out lbw.

It led to a succession of wickets as Gala were reduced to 49 for 6.

Finlay Rutherford (28) and Kenny Paterson (8) patiently rebuild the innings, putting on 35 before Paterson made a poor decision to run himself out, which led to another collapse as Gala were all out with 10 balls left to bowl.

Australian Young and Douglas Crawford put on 31 for the first wicket, but when Crawford was out, Young continued to dominated, smashing five 6s in his innings of 53.

He was out with the score on 76, and although Melrose lost another wicket, they eventually got home with seven balls to spare to claim a fine win for the Division Four side.

Jamie Crooks claimed two wickets for Gala.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct D. Crawford b C. Young 27

D. Millar lbw R. Williams 6

J. Crooks b D. Howard 4

D. Tharanga lbw b D. Howard 0

S. Evans ct M. Rogerson b C. Young 1

F. Rutherford ct D. Howard b M. Rogerson 28

R. Irvine b O. Phillips 1

K. Paterson run out 8

M. Hastings ct D. King b C. Young 2

A. Hastings b M. Rogerson 0

L. Skeldon not out 0

Extras – 11

Total – 88 for ten wickets

D. Howard 4-0-23-2; R. Williams 3-0-16-1; C. Young 3.2-0-10-3; D. King 4-0-17-0; O. Phillips 2-0-17-1; M. Rogerson 2-0-5-2.

Melrose

C. Young ct J. Crooks b S. Evans 53

D. Crawford ct R. Irvine b D. Tharanga 10

D. King ct M. Hastings b J. Crooks 7

R. Williams not out 16

M. Rogerson ct F. Rutherford b J. Crooks 2

C. Howard not out 1

Extras – 3

Total – 92 for four wickets

D. Tharanga 4-0-15-1; S. Evans 4-1-14-1; R. Irvine 4-0-21-0; J. Crooks 4-0-25-2; F. Rutherford 2.5-0-16-0.