Linlithgow edged out Gala in the final over of a thrilling Sunday friendly at Boghall.

After Gala 2nds home game was cancelled when Dunbar conceded, captain Finlay Rutherford quickly arranged a friendly in West Lothian.

With a host of games being cancelled due to the weather, Gala took the chance to give some of their first team some batting-time.

Graeme Ormiston made 52 not out and Sid Siddhu 48 retired as Gala reached 150 for 4 from their 30 overs.

In reply, Linlithgow saw Ahmed score 51 before retiring but the game went down to the last over, only for the home side to squeezed home with three balls to spare.

Finlay Rutherford took 2 for 17 and father Andrew Rutherford 2 for 22 for Gala 2nds.

Gala 2nds

G. Ormiston not out 52

J. Boyle b A. Graham 0

F. Rutherford ct & b S. Ahmed 12

A. Lawrie retired 18

S. Siddhu retired 48

A. Rutherford b S. Flatley 0

M. Rutherford b A. Whitmarsh 0

L. Skeldon not out 5

Extras – 15

Total – 150 for four wickets

C. Graham 6-2-11-0; A. Graham 6-1-31-1; S. Flatley 6-0-28-1; A. Warren 5-1-25-1; A. Whitmarsh 2-0-8-0; S. Ahmed 5-0-35-1.

Linlithgow 2nds

D. Whitmarsh retired 19

A. Whitmarsh ct G. Ormiston b A. Rutherford 40

S. Ahmed retired 51

M. Thompson b A. Rutherford 1

A. Warren b F. Rutherford 2

S. Flatley run out (A. Rutherford) 2

A. Graham not out 28

C. Graham not out 5

Extras – 7

Total – 155 for 4 wickets

M. Rutherford 6-0-33-0; L. Skeldon 3-0-26-0; D. Tharanga 6-1-30-1; A. Rutherford 6-2-22-2; G. Ormiston 3-0-21-0; F. Rutherford 5.3-3-17-2.

Gala Under 15s made the trip to Northumberland to play Tillside, and suffered a 50 run defeat.

The home side batted first and made 101 for three, with Liam Skeldon taking two for 25 and Mac Rutherford 1 for 17.

In reply, a very youthful Gala side struggled, with Liam Skeldon top scoring with 24 followed by Matt Lindores (7) as the visitors finished on 50 all out.

Many thanks to Tillside for their hospitality including superb teas, and to Stuart Skeldon for again taking the team and driving the minibus to the game.

Tillside Under 15s

A. Skelly b L. Skeldon 0

E. Maderry retired 25

D. Todd retired 25

B. Elsworth retired 28

K. Ross ct & b L. Skeldon 2

O. Byass  M. Rutherford 0

C. Smith not out 0

A. Newton not out 1

Extras – 20

Total – 101 for 3 wickets

L. Skeldon 4-0-25-2; M. Rutherford 3-0-17-1; M. Lindores 2-0-12-0; M. Maceira 3-0-15-0; K. Singlor 3-0-12-0; F. Skeldon 3-0-19-0l R. Singlor 2-0-10-0.

Gala Under 15s

S. Lindores b A. Skelly 0

M. Rutherford b B. Elsworth 1

M. Maceira b E. Maderry 1

M. Lindores b D. Todd 7

A. Robertson b O. Byass 0

L. Skeldon ct & b A. Newtown 24

K. Singlor b C. Smith 1

R. Singlor b R. Macgregor 3

F. Skeldon run out (O. Byass) 1

Extras – 18

Total – 50 for nine wickets

B. Elsworth 2-1-7-1; A. Skelly 2-0-2-1; E. Maderry 2-0-5-1; R. Macgregor 2-1-1-1; O. Byass 3-0-15-1; D. Todd 2-1-5-1; C. Smith 2-0-3-1; C. Mulberry 2-0-4-0; K. Ross 2-1-6-0; A. Newton 0.3-0-0-1.

Gala claimed their first win over Kelso for four years with a 45 run in the Border 2020 League at Meigle Park on Thursday night.

With both sides missing a number of first team regulars, Gala post 131 for 5 from their 20 overs, with Kelso only able to post 86 in a match which finished at 9.30pm due to a rain delay.

Gala looked to be in deep trouble when they lost Sid Siddhu, Jamie Crooks and Duncan Millar all fell to the bowling of Murray Mason to leave the home side 23 for 3.

But Dinesh Tharanga (54) and Finlay Rutherford (17) put on 81 for the fourth wicket, as Gala ended up 131 for 5.

Kelso got off to a rapid start with South African professional Joel Veeran hitting 12 off the first over.

But gradually Gala pegged back Kelso, who were 51 for 3 at the halfway stage.

Kelso always had a chance with Veeran (61) still at the crease, but when he was well judged catch by Crooks off the bowling of Simon Fairburn, it was game over.

Fairburn (2 for 16) and Tharanga (2 for 13) were the pick of the bowlers, alongside young Liam Skeldon who claimed his first wicket for Gala first XI.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct J. Veeran b M. Mason 1

D. Millar ct & b M. Mason 17

J. Crooks ct J. Veeran b M. Mason 0

D. Tharanga ct & b W. Stephens 54

F. Rutherford lbw C. Davidson 17

K. Paterson not out 11

Extras – 32

Total – 131 for five wickets

M. Mason 4-0-25-3; C. Davidson 4-0-21-1; J. Frame 4-0-29-0; J. Veeran 40-16-0; W. Stephens 4-0-35-1.

Kelso

J. Veeran ct J. Crooks b S. Fairburn 61

N. Mallen run out (S. Siddhu) 4

C. Davidson ct S. Siddhu b F. Rutherford 3

T. Chilcott lbw D. Tharanga 3

W. Stephens ct & b J Crooks 2

J. Frame lbw D. Tharanga 0

M. Mason not out 2

B. Rock ct & b S. Fairburn 0

J. Wheelans run out (F. Rutherford 0)

K. Jackson b L Skeldon 0

Extras – 11

Total – 86 for nine wickets

S. Siddhu 4-0-22-0; F. Rutherford 4-0-17-1; J. Crooks 4-0-15-1; D. Tharanga 4-1-13-2; S Fairburn 3-0-16-2; L. Skeldon 1-0-1-1.

The Over The Hill cyclists are in serious training ahead of their 100 Border Settlements fundraising challenge next month for charity the Lavender Touch.

The team – which includes cricket club members  Keith Irvine, Stevie Halls, Sinclair Paterson, Ronnie Murray and Josh Irvine – are planning to cycle 250 miles over three days, covering 100 Border settlements.

It is quite a challenge, with ages from 20s to over 70, but the team are hard in training ahead of the start of the challenge which begins on Friday 23 August until Sunday 25 August.

Please consider supporting them by donating online via the link below, or at the collection box in the Cricket Club.

They will have a specially adapted bus, which will follow as their support vehicle. It has been fitted out with bunks, a seating area and an eating/drinking area.

For further info and to donate – https://www.lavendertouch.co.uk/project/over_the_hill_elite_riders/

Tributes have been paid to two former Gala players who have passed away this month.

Graham Corcoran and Stan Millar both turned out for the Braw Lads from the 1950s onwards and were popular and well-known figures within the club.

Both featured in the same Gala 2nds team, as can be seen in our photo from 1958, with a young Graham (front row, far left) and Stan (front row, far right) featured.

Graham’s funeral takes place at the Borders Crematorium this Friday at 11am, while Stan’s funeral takes place at the Crematorium on Monday 29 July at 12noon.

Condolences to the families and friends of Graham and Stan, with the club planning to hold a minute’s silence for both men before their T20 game with Kelso this Thursday.

Scott Evans led from the front as Gala defeated Hawick by eight wickets in the Border 2020 League on Thursday night.

New Zealander Evans took 2 for 8 as Hawick made 74 for 8 before he notched an unbeaten 34 to guide Gala to their second win in the competition.

Batting first at Meigle Park, Hawick lost Ryan Johnston early as he was well caught at gully by Finlay Rutherford from Evans’ bowling.

Robbie Irvine then claimed two wickets in one over to reduce Hawick to 24 for 3 but father and son duo Gary and Ronan Alexander put on a patient partnership of 31.

However, the introduction of Jamie Crooks accounted for Ronan Alexander (11), while Evans had Gary Alexander (19) well caught by Max Hastings.

A late cameo from Craig Thomson pulled Hawick up to 74, and the Teries sensed a chance of victory when Johnston caught and bowled Crooks for a duck in Gala’s first over.

Duncan Millar (29) and Evans then put on 50 run partnership before Millar was caught behind by Evan Alexander.

But captain Dinesh Tharanga and Evans saw the Meigle Park men home.

Hawick

G. Alexander ct M. Hastings b S. Evans 19

S. Evans ct F. Rutherford b S. Evans 0

E. Alexander ct R. Hancock b R. Irvine 16

P. Mactaggart ct D. Millar b R. Irvine 0

R. Alexander ct S. Evans b J. Crooks 11

J. Tait b J. Crooks 4

B. Mactaggart b D. Tharanga 3

C. Thomson not out 8

J. Boyle run out (D. Tharanga) 0

Extras – 13

Total – 74 for eight wickets

D. Moir 4-0-20-0; S. Evans 4-0-8-2; R. Irvine 3-0-15-2; D. Tharanga 4-1-12-1; J. Crooks 3-0-7-2; R. Hancock 2-0-11-0.

Gala

D. Millar ct E. Alexander b G. Alexander 29

J. Crooks ct & b R. Johnston 0

S. Evans not out 34

D. Tharanga not out 5

Extras – 9

Total – 77 for two wickets

Duncan Millar claimed his first ever century to lead Gala to an impressive 67 run win at Edinburgh 2nds.

The talented wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 130 not out at Campbell Park, as Gala surpassed 200 for the first time this season with a total of 220 for 5 from their 45 overs.

Dinesh Tharanga then took 5 for 16 as Edinburgh finished 153 all out to ensure Gala remain in the Division One promotion hunt.

Missing a number of regulars, Gala looked in trouble when they lost openers Sid Siddhu (12) and Finlay Rutherford (0) to leave them 16 for 2.

But Millar stepped forward and alongside Jamie Crooks put on 104 in just 18 overs for the fourth wicket.

When Crooks was out, Millar was supported by Kevin Gallagher and Scott Evans to reach his maiden 100, finishing up on 130 which include eight 4s and three 6s in his total.

Millar’s ton surpasses his previous highlight knock – 99 against Eastern Knights five years ago – and is the first league 100 by a Gala 1^st XI player since Rory Hawes’ 177 against Morton in 2016.

Gala soon had Edinburgh in trouble at 23 for 2 as Dean Moir and Scott Evans claimed the openers, before Tharanga and Jamie Crooks reduced the home side to 66 for 6.

But Edinburgh battled back, with Ali (67) leading the way as they surpassed 150.

Yet Millar’s afternoon was capped by two stumpings, including that of dangerman Ali to wrap up the win.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct A. Shabbir b B. Yadav 12

F. Rutherford b Z. Mir 0

D. Millar not out 130

D. Tharanga st M. Nazish b F. Ali 7

J. Crooks ct H. Amann b F. Ali 34

K. Gallagher ct K. Hussain b V. Shrivastava 11

S. Evans not out 9

Extras – 16

Total – 220 for five wickets

B. Yadav 9-2-25-1; Z. Mir 9-0-42-1; F. Ali 9-1-38-2; V. Shrivastava 9-0-52-1; A. Shabir 9-0-57-0.

Edinburgh 2nds

S. Hassan b S. Evans 12

H. Amann ct F. Rutherford b D. Moir 7

K. Hussain b D. Tharanga 19

V. Shrivastava ct R. Patterson b J. Crooks 24

A. Jaffery st D. Millar b D. Tharanga 2

A. Sabbir lbw D. Tharanga 1

B. Yadav ct & b J. Crooks 0

F. Ali st D. Millar b D. Tharanga 67

Z. Mir b C. Ormiston 2

M. Nazish ct K. Gallagher b D. Tharanga 4

H. Khan not out 0

Extras – 15

Total 153 for ten wickets

D. Moir 6-1-29-1; S. Evans 7-3-13-1; J. Crooks 9-0-39-2; D. Tharanga 8.3-0-16-5; F. Rutherford 3-0-22-0; C. Ormiston 3-0-35-1.

Despite some good individual performances, Gala/Hawick Development team slipped to a narrow 13 run defeat to Edinburgh South 2nds at Meigle Park.

The visitors capitalised on some fielding errors to make 138 all out, but the development team let slip a positive start to finish 125 for 9.

Winning the toss, Edinburgh South made a good start to reach 60 for the fall of two wickets with Mundin top scoring with 41.

But the introduction of youngster Harris Brogan (4 for 31) and Brian Johnson (3 for 33) pulled back Edinburgh South to 118 for 8.

However, a vital 9^th wicket partnership of 20 runs gave The South a competitive yet reachable total for Gala/Hawick. Alongside a brilliant bowling performance, Brogan also took a catch and a run out.

And the homesters started off brilliantly, as Charis Scott (38) and Alex Hastings (39) put on 56 for the first wicket.

Scotland international Scott fell first, followed by Craig Thomson but the home side still looked in a good position as Jack Gammie supported Alex Hastings well to take the score to 91.

But a mid-order collapse saw Gala/Hawick slump to 102 for 9 to leave their hopes seemingly in tatters.

Johnson (19 not out) and Sam Lindores (3 not out) fought back but there was too much to do as they fell 13 runs short. Best bowler for Edinburgh South was Saunders (3 for 13).

Edinbrugh South 2nds

O. Gorman b C. Thomson 7

A. Mundin ct H. Brogan b B. Johnson 31

D. Saunders ct J. Boyle b B. Johnson 7

I. Ross ct J. Gamie b H. Brogan 18

A. De Silva b B. Johnson 13

G. Smith ct C. Scott b H. Brogan 10

F. Shafiq ct & b H. Brogan 18

K. Bhatmagar b H. Brogan 3

A. Smith run out (C. Thomson) 0

A. Kumar run out (H. Brogan 5)

D. Dobson not out 0

Extras – 16

Total – 138 for ten wickets

A. Hastings 3-0-5-0; J. Gammie 5-0-15-0; C. Thomson 8-0-19-1; S. Paterson 6-0-19-0; B. Johnson 8-0-33-3; H. Brogan 8-0-31-4.

Gala/Hawick

C. Scott ct K. Bhatmagar b A. Mundin 38

A. Hastings ct O. Gorman b A. De Silva 39

C. Thomson b A. Mundin 6

H. Brogan b A. Mundin 1

J. Gammie ct G. Smith b A. De Silva 5

S. Paterson b A. De Silva 1

R. Paterson b D. Saunders 0

J. Boyle b D. Saunders 0

F. Hastings 1

B. Johnson not out 19

S. Lindores not out 3

Extras – 12

Total – 125 for nine wickets

A. Smith 4-0-16-0; D. Dobson 4-0-24-0; A. Mundin 8-1-34-3; O. Gorman 8-2-14-0; D. Saunders 8-2-13-3; A. De Silva 8-1-18-3.

Stewart’s Melville beat Gala 2nds on the last ball of the game in a thrilling Sunday League game at Meigle Park.

In a match reduced to 25 overs, Gala scored a competitive 135 for one, with Finlay Rutherford and the returning Kevin Gallagher both scoring 50s before retiring.

In reply, Gala reduced Stewart’s Melville to 66 for 8 but Langley (30) and Burgess (30) pulled the visitors back into the game.

Jamie Crooks claimed Burgess’ wicket but Langley was supported by Sweet to claim the dramatic win.

Liam Skeldon claimed four wickets before being taken to Borders General Hospital after taking a ball to the head while bowling. Robbie Paterson took 2 for 15 and Fergus Hastings 1 for 25.

Gala 2nds

F. Rutherford retired 50

J. Bell b A. Bruce 0

K. Gallagher retired 51

J. Crooks not out 20

R. Patterson not out 5

Extras – 9

Total – 135 for one wicket

A. Bruce 3-0-15-1; P. Gordon 3-1-15-0; S. Langley 3-0-16-0; C. Holland 6-0-32-0; H. Short 4-0-18-0; I. Lowry 4-0-21-0; O. Armstrong 2-0-15-0.

Stewarts Melville Trojans

A. Beveridge b L. Skeldon 11

H. Murray run out 5

C. Holland b L. Skeldon 0

P. Gordon b L. Skeldon 4

H. Short ct R. Patterson b R. Paterson 12

O. Armstrong b L. Skeldon 0

I. Lowry ct A. Rutherford b R. Paterson 1

A. Bruce ct K. Gallagher b F. Hastings

S. Langley not out 30

M. Burgess ct F. Rutherford b J. Crooks 30

H. Sweet not out 6

Extras – 22

Total – 138 for nine wickets

L. Skeldon 4.3-0-24-4; C. Ormiston 4-0-12-0; R. Paterson 4-0-15-2; F. Hastings 5-0-25-1; J. Crooks 4.3-0-17-1; J. Sax-Simpson 1-0-21-0; A. Rutherford 2-0-11-0.

Four-wicket Dean Moir helped Gala to secure a 40 run Braw Lads’ Day win over Marchmont.

Moir bowled with pace to right apart the visitors’ top order as they succumbed to 119 in reply to Gala’s 159.

The home side had looked on course for a score close to 200 when openers Sid Siddhu (31) and Duncan Millar (29) took the game to Marchmont.

But the Edinburgh side pulled themselves back into the game, restricting Gala’s scoring albeit Dinesh Tharanga (40) and Graeme Ormiston (19) put on 45 for the fourth wicket.

But once both fell, Gala slipped from 140 for five to 159 all out. Dhiraj Prakesh (3 for 22) was the top wicket taker for Marchmont.

Gala got off to the perfect start as Moir took a wicket with the third ball of the game.

Moir continue to take wickets, reducing Marchmont to 41 for 5.

But Ray Fourie (32) and Praful Pant (20) added 51 to give Marchmont a chance of victory until Jamie Crooks’ introduction claimed Pant and captain Tharanga capped a great spell of bowling with the wicket of Fourie.

Marchmont’s innings finished soon after, with Moir (4 for 30), Tharanga (2 for 20) and Crooks (2 for 15) the pick of the bowlers.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct P. Bruell b R. Fourie 31

F. Rutherford ct P. Bruell b G. Bevan 7

D. Millar ct P. Pant b T. Parnell 29

D. Tharanga ct P. Bruell b D. Prakesh 40

G. Ormiston ct & b S. Panchal 19

J. Crooks ct T. Parnell b S. Panchal 0

R. Irvine run out 3

S. Evans ct & b D. Prakesh 4

N. McIntyre ct A. Mohapatra b D. Prakesh 1

D. Moir not out 1

R. Hancock run out 8

Extras – 16

Total – 159 for ten wickets

V. Jalagandasweran 6-0-27-0; G. Bevan 4-0-20-1; R. Fourie 9-2-26-1; D. Sandersai 4-0-18-0; T. Parnell 5-0-13-1; D. Prakesh 9-0-22-3; S. Panchal 7-0-27-2.

Marchmont

V. Jalagandasweran ct J. Crooks b D. Moir 0

S. Panchal lbw D. Moir 4

P. Bruell b D. Tharanga 12

T. Parnell ct D. Millar b D. Moir 4

A. Mohapatra b D. Moir 16

R. Fourie ct J. Crooks b D. Tharanga 32

P. Pant ct G. Ormiston b J. Crooks 20

G. Bevan b J. Crooks 13

D. Prakesh ct R. Irvine b G. Ormiston 1

D. Sardesai ct D. Millar b S. Evans 6

S. Joy not out 4

Extras – 7

Total – 119 for ten wickets

D. Moir 9-1-30-4; S. Evans 5.3-1-11-1 D. Tharanga 9-4-20-2; N. McIntyre 4-0-30-0; J. Crooks 5-0-15-2; G. Ormiston 3-0-11-1.