Rory Hancock and Jamie Crooks proved the Gala heroes in a nail-biting win at previously unbeaten Musselburgh.

Hancock took 5 for 25 to restrict ‘Burgh to 132 all out before teenager Crooks kept his cool to score the winning runs with just three balls to spare to make it three out of three wins for the Braw Lads in Division One.

Overnight rain in Musselburgh area had put the game in some doubt but a morning pitch inspection saw the match be given the green light.

Gala captain Dinesh Tharanga won the toss and decided to bowl on a Lewisvale pitch which is notoriously tricky and proved so again as both teams scored at less than three runs an over.

The visitors made a good start when Nick McIntyre had Ahmed caught behind by Duncan Millar with the score on just two.

Tufail and Howe rebuilt the innings well, putting on 51 runs before Howe was run out by Graeme Ormiston for 13.

Musselburgh then collapsed from 59 for 2 to 61 for 5 as Hancock struck three times to put Gala on top.

Verma led a fightback with an aggressive 23 before being caught by Finlay Rutherford off Hancock’s bowling.

Further wickets fell as Gala reduced their opponents to 101 for 9 but last wicket pair Middlemass (16) and Khalid (17) showed plenty fight to drag Musselburgh to 132 and gave them a fighting chance.

Gala openers Sid Siddhu and Rutherford put on their second successive 50 partnership, before the latter was stumped for 32 with the score on 72 off 23 overs.

Siddhu fell soon after for 39 but Millar and Ormiston looked to be taking Gala to a fairly comfortable win.

Even when both departed, Gala needed 21 runs off eight overs which in normal circumstances should be have been straightforward.

However, up against the slow wicket and a disciplined Musselburgh bowling attack led by Middlemass (2 for 19) it went two to the last over with two runs needed to win.

But up stepped youngster Crooks (22 not out) who show maturity and patience to wait until the third ball of Verma over to score two needed and give the Meigle Park men all 20 points.

Musselburgh

A. Ahmed ct D. Millar b N. McIntyre 2

A. Tufail ct G. Ormiston b R. Hancock 34

G. Howe run out 13

S. Praneel ct G. Ormiston b R. Hancock 3

E. Eyre b G. Mein 8

V. Deveraj lbw R. Hancock 0

H. Verma ct F. Rutherford b R. Hancock 23

E. Gatner ct R. Hancock b G. Ormiston 3

V. Ramasubramani ct J. Crooks b V. Ramasubramani 3

C. Middlemass b D. Tharanga 16

H. Khalid not out 17

Extras – 9

Total – 132 for ten wickets

N. McIntyre 9-1-22-1; D. Moir 7-1-25-0; S. Evans 9-3-32-0; D. Tharanga 3.3-1-5-1; R. Hancock 9-2-25-5; G. Mein 4-1-7-1; G. Ormiston 2-0-7-1.

Gala

S. Siddu b C. Middlemass 39

F. Rutherford st V. Deveraj b V. Ramasubramani 32

D. Millar lbw b C. Middlemass 16

G. Ormiston run out 8

J. Crooks not out 22

D. Tharanga 3

Extras – 9

Total – 133 for four wickets

H. Khalid 7-2-17-0; E. Gatner 6-1-17-0; V. Ramasubramani 9-1-28-1; H. Verma 7.3-1-28-0; C. Middlemass 9-2-19-2; V. Deveraj 5-2-18-0.

The youngster scored 59 not out as the Braw Lads made it two wins from two games in East Division One.

But it was far from straightforward as a series of rain breaks and a slow over rate by Edinburgh meant the match never finished until 7.50pm.

The visitors batted first and after a strong start with Adnan Jeffrey scoring 30, Rory Hancock ripped the middle order of Edinburgh’s innings apart with 4 for 19 to leave them 73 for 7.

But Irshaad Aziz (27 not out) batted well, alongside some wayward bowling at times which led to 31 wides, as Edinburgh posted a competitive 151 for 8.

In reply, Sid Siddhu (44) and Rutherford put on 59 for the first wicket in quick time but when Josh Irvine (15) and Ross Patterson (0) fell soon after, the game was in the mix at 78 for 3.

But Rutherford led from the front, supported well by captain Dinesh Tharanga (26) to take the homesters to victory.

Meanwhile, Liam Skeldon took all four wickets as a young Gala/Hawick development fell to a six wicket loss to Stewart Melville’s fourths at Inverleith.

Gala/Hawick scored 101 all out with Stuart Skeldon (32 not out) and Scott Paterson (21) leading from the front.

In reply, Liam Skeldon took four for 27 but the total was not enough to deny the hosts who got past the Gala/Hawick total in the 22^nd over.

New boys Bass Rock proved too strong for Gala/Hawick Development team as the North Berwick team won by seven wickets in a Division Seven clash at Meigle Park.

Gala/Hawick scored an under par 97 for 8 after a series of batsmen made start but got themselves out including Kenny Paterson (16), Caitlin Ormiston (14) and Jack Gammie (11). A number of youngsters impressed however, with good shots unfortunately going unrewarded. Top bowler for Bass Rock was Ian Hemsley (2 for 7).

Scott Paterson claimed three wickets in quick succession to pull the home team back into the match and leave Bass Rock wobbling at 26 for 3.

But experienced duo Amis (42 not out) and ex-Edinburgh Accies skipper Nick Murden (31 not out) guided the visitors to victory with more than 17 overs to spare.

Gala/Hawick Development Team

M. Hastings b R. Bainbridge 10

J. Sax-Dixon b D. Milne 4

K. Paterson ct N. Murden b R. Bainbridge 16

C. Ormiston ct D. Milne b M. Lyall 14

J. Boyle b I. Hemsley 8

S. Paterson b I. Hemsley 2

L. Skeldon ct M. Lyall b R. Webb 4

J. Gammie ct B. Gray b B. Ellis 11

F. Hastings not out 2

B. Johnson not out 5

Extras – 21

Total – 97 for eight wickets

A. Armstrong 8-2-14-0; D. Milne 5-0-12-1; R. Bainbridge 6-1-23-2; M. Hagan 3-0-13-0; I. Hemsley 5-1-7-2; M. Lyall 6-2-10-1; R. Webb 4-1-3-1; B. Ellis 3-1-6-1.

Bass Rock

M. Hagan ct M. Hastings b S. Paterson 22

J. Amis not out 42

B. Ellis b S. Paterson 0

B. Gray ct J. Sax-Dixon b S. Paterson 0

M. Murden not out 31

Extras – 4

Total – 99 for three wickets

S. Paterson 8-3-27-3; J. Gammie 6-1-27-0; C. Ormiston 5-0-20-0; B. Johnson 3-0-17-0; F. Hastings 0.3-0-4-0.

New overseas player Scott Evans made a vital contribution on his Gala debut as the Braw Lads started life in Division One with a rain-affected win.

New Zealander Evans took three wickets and made an unbeaten 16 which proved vital as heavy rain in Edinburgh saw the game ended early, with Gala ahead on the Edinburgh League Calculator meaning they claimed the full points.

Marchmont batted first on a difficult Cavalry Park pitch and were soon in trouble as they slumped to 26 for 3 with Nick McIntyre, Dean Moir and Evans claiming a wicket each.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals to leave the homesters 59 for 6, but Jalagandeeswaran provided an entertaining comeback with an unbeaten 67 which included four 4s and four 6s to drag Marchmont to 132 all out.

The returning Dean Moir took 3 for 23 while Evans finished with 3 for 36.

In reply, Gala got off to a rapid start thanks to Duncan Millar (17) and Josh Irvine (23).

But Marchmont’s Simon Joy produced a superb spell to take five for 24 to rip through Gala and leave them struggling at 67 for 5.

Captain Dinesh Tharanga and Evans came together, and after a rain break at 72, the pair pulled the score up to 86 when heavy rain meant the match was abandoned.

But with Gala ahead of the run rate on the rain calculator, they claimed a narrow nine run victory.

Marchmont

S. Panchal ct D. Tharanga b D. Moir 1

B. Duerden b N. McIntyre 9

M. Thomson ct D. Millar b S. Evans 10

V. Jalagandeeswaran not out 67

A. Mohapatra lbw D. Tharanga 4

N. Patel ct J. Halls b S. Evans 4

P. Keogh ct D. Tharanga b J. Halls 3

S. Dyer ct J. Halls b G. Mein 10

G. Bevan ct D. Millar b S. Evans 4

D. Sardesai ct N. McIntyre b D. Moir 5

S. Joy ct D. Moir b D. Moir 5

Extras – 10

Total – 132 for ten wickets

N. McIntyre 9-2-18-1; D. Moir 7.5-2-23-3; S. Evans 9-2-36-3; D. Tharanga 9-2-20-1; J. Halls 4-0-16-1; G. Mein 3-1-11-1; R. Hancock 3-0-5-0.

Gala

J. Halls b S. Joy 6

D. Millar lbw S. Joy 17

F. Rutherford ct&b S. Joy 4

J. Irvine lbw S. Joy 23

R. Patterson lbw S. Joy 4

D. Tharanga not out 5

S. Evans not out 16

Extras – 11

Total – 86 for five wickets

P. Keogh 6-0-36-0; S. Joy 9-1-24-5; V. Jalagandeeswaran 6-1-16-0; N. Patel 3-0-6-0; S. Dyer 0.2-0-2-0.

We have been donated a series of photos from over 100 years ago which shed light on our historic club.

The photos, alongside the book A History of Gala Cricket Club from 1853 to 1939, were kindly donated by the family of former player W. R. Simpson with the club now aiming to produce a display in recognition of its importance.

The photos include a shot of A. Beardsworth, who was signed as a professional in 1909. From Bradford, Beardsworth was a bowler who played for three seasons at Mossilee taking an impressive 165 wickets in that time before moving to Clydesdale.

There is also an image of a game between Gala and Australian XI in 1919, after cricket took a back seat during World War I.

The Australian side was made up of students studying at the Technical College, and while they were comfortably defeated by Gala, a number assisted the team during the season.

Another image showing the winning 1922 Factory Cup team – Tweed Mill – who defeated Netherdale Mill by six runs in the final.

And there is a final photo without any date attached to it.

The book History of Gala Cricket Club 1853 to 1939 by R. A. Anderson is a fascinating look at the club from its inception to the start of World War II.

It includes information about Mossilee hosting Scotland against India in 1909, when the Scots were on course for a famous win – needing 43 runs to win with seven wickets remaining – until rain stopped play.

The book’s conclusion appears still relevant now, exactly 75 years after it was written: “To those who appreciate the value of fresh air and sunshine as aids, the breezy slopes of Mossilee will always be an attraction, and one feels sure that for some time to come Gala Cricket Club will still have a place in the sporting activities of the town.”

Kenny Paterson, Gala Cricket Club Secretary, said: “Many thanks to the family of W. R. Simpson for this collection of photos and the historical book which will now take pride of place in our clubrooms.”

Caitlin Ormiston and Charis Scott have been selected to join up with the Scotland Wildcats where they are currently undergoing an intensive training camp in La Manga, Spain. The Wildcats are also training alongside the Scotland Men’s team.

Having had a successful summer for their country last year, including playing in internationals at Meigle Park, the camp will provide an opportunity for the pair to continue their development and enjoy a great experience.

The club would like to congratulate the pair on this great achievement! #proud

The 2019 outdoor season begins tonight (Mon 1st April), as senior training starts at Meigle Park. Training is every Monday and Thursday from 6pm-8pm, with players new, current and old more than welcome to join us for what is to be another exciting season at the club!

We are delighted to be involved in Cricket Scotland’s #Beanies4BrainTumours initiative! New club beanies on the way!

Junior Indoor Training will run every Friday starting the 8th March all the way through to the 19th April (excluding Fri 29th March) at the Queens Centre in Galashiels! 7-8pm every week and new faces always welcome!

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CONFIRMED:

Following relegation from the Championship last year, we look forward to getting stuck back into ESCA Division 1 in 2019! 🏏🏏

Clackmannan County
Edinburgh CC 2nds
GALA 
Linlithgow
Livingston
Marchmont
Musselburgh
RHC 2nds
Stewarts Melville 2nds
Watsonians 2nds