Annual General Meeting – ONLINE
Friday 5 February 2021, 7.30pm

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, the AGM will be hosted online on Zoom.

Members should have received an email with details inviting them to the meeting.

Any members who do not receive an email, should register to attend by emailing us at [email protected].

If you are interested in being a member of the committee please submit your enquiry to [email protected] by 4 February 2021.

It is expected that 2021 will again be a challenging year, and we hope that we can count on your support.

Thanks
Michael Halls
Gala Cricket Club Chairman

A full list of Gala Cricket Club players who served and sacrificed during World Wars I and II has been compiled for the very first time.

Thanks to help from the Heriots Cricket Archive, Gala have been able to track down 10 players who were killed during both World Wars.

And to honour their memory, the Meigle Park club will lay a poppy wreath bearing each players’ name this week, and ask its members to pay their respects at home this weekend for Remembrance Sunday.

Amongst those players who were identified was Ernest Samuel Roberts, who signed as a professional for Gala from Kent and played in 1914 before the season was curtailed by World War I. He was killed in August 1916 while serving in France.

There was also Thomas Dorward, who was capped by Scotland at rugby but sadly passed away in 1941 from wounds received in World War II while serving in the Royal Air Force. His brother Arthur also played for Gala CC and the Scotland rugby team.

Two former captains – Charles William Brown and Alexander Douglas MacLachlan – are also amongst the fallen during World War I and World War II respectively.

Kenny Paterson, Gala CC Secretary, said: “We believe this is the first time a comprehensive list of players who passed away during World Wars I and II has ever been complied on behalf of the club.

“We must thank Charlie Clark from Heriots Cricket Archive for his assistance recording all of these players.

“While Covid-19 restrictions mean we cannot hold a ceremony this year, we still wished to honour these men, majority of whom were under 30 years of age.

“Alongside the wreath bearing their names being laid, we ask our members to take part in Remembrance Sunday’s two minute silence at home.”

The full list of Gala CC players who served and sacrificed in World War I and II is as follows:

World War I

·         James Stewart Andison – Kings Own Scottish Borderers

·         Charles William Brown – Kings Own Scottish Borderers

·         William Oliver Bennett – Kings Own Scottish Borderers

·         Robert Gordon – Machine Gun Corps

·         William Paterson – Kings Own Scottish Borderers

·         Ernest Samuel Roberts – 1^st Kent Cyclist Battalion

·         Adam Smail – Kings Own Scottish Borderers

World War II

·         Alexander Douglas MacLachlan – Merchant Navy, M.V. Scottish Maiden

·         Thomas Fairgrieve Dorward – Royal Air Force

·         Joseph Watson – Scots Guards

Gala’s under 16s ended their season on a high note with a nailbiting one wicket win against East Lothian.

The Gala youngsters helped restrict their opponents to 105 for 9 thanks to some excellent bowling with Robbie Paterson taking three wickets and Liam Skeldon, Maisie Maciera, Sam McAneny and Jamie Bell all taking one each.

Jamie Bell and Ashley Robertson got the Gala innings off to a good start, with Ellie Wilkie, Robbie Paterson, Maisie Maciera and Sam McAneny also contributing.

Samuel and Matty Lindores then added some vital runs but wickets also continued to fall. 

Going into the closing overs either side could have won it, but Ruaridh Anderson, Finlay Skeldon and Bailey Paterson took Gala home, with Bailey striking the winning boundary with three balls left.

The club would like to thank coach Stuart Skeldon, who has also been part of our covid-monitoring team, for his considerable commitment to the junior section during this difficult season, as well as all the parents/carers who supported the club with transport to comply with Covid-19 restrictions.

A first hundred by Sid Siddhu helped Gala to a comfortable friendly win over Peebles County at Meigle Park.

Siddhu scored the ton off just 64 balls, notching 16 fours in his innings as Gala made 255 for five from their 30 overs.

Captain Josh Irvine was also in good form with 46 from 30 balls, while Jamie Crooks (37), Graeme Ormiston (25) and Callum Jenkins (15) also made good contributions.

Slater (2 for 61) and Caddick (2 for 53) were the best of the Peebles bowlers.

Peebles were missing a few regular players and struggled in their innings against a strong Gala attack.

They finished on 41 all out, with wickets shared amongst the bowlers, including an impressive 2 for 9 from young spinner Robbie Paterson.

Thanks to Peebles for the game.

Gala

S. Siddhu retired retired 105

J. Halls ct J. Pace b J. Slater 8

J. Crooks ct A. Brophy b P. Caddick 37

J. Irvine ct J. Pace b P. Caddick 46

G. Ormiston ct A. Brophy b J. Slater 25

C. Jenkins not out 15

D. Tharanga b C. Edwardson 7

R. Patterson not out 4

Extras – 8

Total  – 255 for five wickets

C. Edwardson 5.3-0-30-1; J. Slater 6-0-61-2; F. Burns 2.3-0-16-0; N. Burns 6-0-56-0; P. Caddick 6-0-53-2; A. Brophy 2-0-22-0; C. Entwistle 2-0-13-0.

Peebles County

J. Pace ct J. Crooks b C. Jenkins 1

R. Bhatia ct. J. Irvine b D. Moir 0

P. Caddick ct C. Jenkins b D. Moir 1

J. Slater b D. Tharanga 14

C. Entwistle b C. Jenkins 1

P. Walker run out (D. Moir) 1

N. Burns ct & b R. Patterson 1

A. Brophy ct G. Ormiston b D. Tharanga 0

C. Edwardson b R. Paterson 12

F. Burns b R. Paterson 0

J. Brophy not out 0

Extras – 10

Total – 41 for ten wickets

Melrose captain Rowan Williams led his side to a 13-run win over Gala Sunday XI in their friendly at Meigle Park.

The Huntlyburn side made 144 all out from their 30 overs, with Williams top scorer with 32.

Harris Rutherford made a welcome return with a fine spell of 3 for 13, while Dinesh Tharanga (3 for 10) also on target.

In reply, Gala started well with Jamie Crooks (45), Finlay Rutherford (27), and Stuart Anderson (20) leaving the hosts needing 62 to win from the final 11 overs with nine wickets in hand.

But Gala lost three wickets in five overs to leave them struggling, and in the end finished on 131 for seven.

Williams was best bowler with 3 for 25.

Thanks to Melrose for making the trip to Gala for the game.

Melrose

R. Brett b D. Tharanga 1

D. Crawford run out (J. Crooks) 11

D. King b H. Rutherford 26

A. Scott ct J. Bell b H. Rutherford 0

O. Rilley ct A. Sujan b D. Tharanga 30

J. Loftus st F. Rutherford b G. Ormiston 6

A. Scatt b G. Ormiston 0

M. Barr ct H. Rutherford b J. Crooks 5

R. Williams ct A. Sujan b D. Tharanga 32

M. Rogerson not out 2

E. Barr b H. Rutherford 1

Extras – 17

Total – 144 for ten wickets

D. Tharanga 5-2-10-3; A. Sujan 2-0-13-0; H. Rutherford 3.1-0-13-3; G. Ormiston 4-0-26-2; L. Skeldon 3-1-6-0; J. Crooks 6-0-39-1; J. Boyle 3-0-12-0; J. Bell 2-0-11-0; M. Rutherford 1-0-6-0.

Gala

F. Rutherford b R. Williams 27

S. Anderson run out 20

J. Crooks b R. Williams 45

A. Sujan lbw R. Williams 0

D. Tharanga ct D. King b R. Brett 15

H. Rutherford ct D. King b A. Scott 13

G. Ormiston run out 5

J. Bell not out 1

Extras – 5

Total – 131 for seven wickets

M. Barr 5-0-22-0; J. Loftus 5-1-17-0; R. Brett 5-0-13-1; A. Scott 5-0-25-1; D. King 5-0-25-0; R. Williams 5-1-25-3.

Gala retained the Rae Nichol Trophy with an excellent win over in-form Selkirk at Meigle Park.

The home side won by 48 runs to keep hold of the trophy which is played to remember one of Gala’s greatest ever players who passed away 20 years ago.

Despite another week of wet weather, Meigle Park was in tremendous nick thanks to the efforts of the Gala ground staff to get the game on.

Selkirk put Gala into bat first but a combination of good batting and a total of 46 extras allowed the hosts to reach a very competitive 170 for six from their 30 overs.

Jamie Crooks (31) and Dinesh Tharanga (30) impressed with some clean hitting while they were supported by captain Josh Irvine (23), Scott Paterson (20) and Finlay Rutherford (19).

Best bowler for Selkirk was Bob Wilkinson with 2 for 34.

Selkirk got off to a great start as the impressive opening pair of Greg Fenton (33) and Rory Banks (5) raced the score to 44 off eight overs.

But the game changed in two overs as firstly Callum Jenkins took a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Banks off Scott Paterson’s bowling and then Tharanga claimed Greg Fenton lbw.

Selkirk slipped from 44 for 0 to 58 for 6 thanks to a devastating spell from Scott Paterson (4 for 19) but Michael Fenton (33) kept the Souters in the game until he was out thanks to a juggling catch by Rutherford off Liam Skeldon’s bowling.

There was also good catches by Tharanga and Irvine behind the stumps while Dean Moir had an excellent run out in a good fielding display by Gala.

Selkirk were eventually all out for 122.

Alongside Scott Paterson, youngsters Skeldon (2 for 11) and Robbie Paterson (1 for 23) claimed their first wickets for Gala 1^st XI.

Gala

F. Rutherford b R. Banks 19

J. Crooks b M. Fenton 31

J. Irvine b B. Wilkinson 23

D. Tharanga ct & b B. Wilkinson 30

S. Paterson b D. Heard 20

D. Moir b I. Gardiner 0

A. Sujan not out 0

K. Paterson not out 1

Extras – 46

Total – 170 for six wickets

G. Fenton 6-0-21-0; B. Wilkinson 6-0-34-2; R. Banks 5-0-25-1; M. Fenton 6-1-19-1; S. Taylor 4-0-29-0; I. Gardiner 2-0-7-0; D. Heard 1-0-5-1.

Selkirk

G. Fenton lbw D. Tharanga 33

R. Banks ct C. Jenkins b S. Paterson 5

M. Fenton ct F. Rutherford b L. Skeldon 33

S. Taylor ct J. Irvine b S. Paterson 0

J. Henderson run out (D. Moir) 0

B. Wilkinson lbw b S. Paterson 0

I. Gardiner ct J. Irvine b S. Paterson 0

L. Hughes ct J. Irvine b R. Paterson 10

D. Heard ct D. Tharanga b L. Skeldon 2

K. Easson not out 3

N. Gentleman b A. Sujan 3

Extras – 21

Total – 122 for ten wickets

D. Moir 4-0-23-0; C. Jenkins 3-0-15-0; D. Tharanga 6-2-14-1; S. Paterson 6-1-19-4; L. Skeldo 3-0-11-2; R. Paterson 4-0-23-1; A. Sujan 2-0-5-1.

Jamie Crooks starred with bat and ball to guide Gala’s Sunday XI to a 16 run friendly win over Melrose at Huntlyburn.

A hastily arranged game saw Gala put together a side which mixed youth with experience.

Batting first, Gala got off to a decent start with the returning Robbie Pringle (24) and Crooks (30) and there were then useful contributions from Graeme Ormiston (13) and Ross Patterson (12 not out) as the Braw Lads posted 110 for 8 from their 30 overs.

Conor Young claimed 2 for 21 for ‘Rose.

In reply, Young looked to be taking his team to victory again – after scoring a half century last season in a 2020 win over Gala – but Crooks crucially bowled the opener for 36.

Melrose remained in the game and were well up with the required run rate but regular wickets meant they fell short on 94 all out.

Crooks (5 for 19) was supported by wickets for Ajith Sujan, Patterson, Craig Thomson, Pringle and James Boyle.

Thank you to Melrose for hosting this friendly match.

Gala Sunday XI

F. Rutherford b C. Young 5

R. Pringle b C. Young 24

J. Crooks ct M. Barr b D. Crawford 30

C. Thomson b G. Lindsay 1

S. Anderson run out 2

J. Purves lbw R. Williams 1

G. Ormiston ct ? b H. Mallart 13

R. Patterson not out 12

J. Imray ct ? b K. Farnish 4

J. Boyle not out 0

Extras – 18

Total – 110 for 8 wickets

M. Barr 4-0-16-0; C. Young 5-2-21-2; G. Lindsay 4-2-7-1; R. Williams 4-0-13-0; D. Crawford 4-1-18-1; H. Mallart 4-0-17-1; A. James 3-1-10-0; K. Farnish 2-1-6-1.

Melrose

R. Brett b A. Sujan 1

C. Young b J. Crooks 36

D Crawford ct C. Thomson b J. Crooks 12

H. Mallart ct & b R. Patterson 1

J. Ward ct & b J. Crooks 0

A. James ct L. Skeldon b J. Crooks 4

D. Crawford ct R. Pringle b J. Crooks 10

M. Barr b C. Thomson 10

G. Lindsay ct J. Imray b J Boyle 3

K. Farnish ct S. Anderson b R. Pringle 0

R. Williams not out 12

Extras – 5

Total – 94 for ten wickets

L. Skeldon 3-0-29-0; A. Sujan 2-0-9-1; J. Crooks 6-0-19-5; R. Patterson 4-0-13-1; C. Thomson 5-1-16-1; R. Pringle 3-1-8-1; J. Boyle 0.4-0-2-1.

SENIORS

Sunday saw a return to action at Meigle Park as Gala’s Sunday Select XI took on Peebles County in a 30 over friendly.
The game was in significant doubt due to the heavy rain which had hit the Borders the week previous but a brilliant effort by Gala’s volunteer ground staff meant the game went ahead of the artificial wicket.
Peebles batted first and racked up 167 for six wickets with Slater top scorer with 71. Dinesh Tharanga took three wickets, while Robbie and Scott Paterson and Liam Skeldon claimed a wicket each.
In reply, Gala looked in real trouble at 96 for 6, still needing 72 runs to win from their final eight overs. 
But up stepped Scott Paterson to smash 51 not out, including six 6s to lead the hosts to victory in the 29th over. 
Finlay Rutherford also scored 47 while there were valuable contributions from Jamie Bell, Graeme Ormiston and Jamie Crooks. Niall Burns claimed four wickets for County.
Many thanks to Peebles for the game.Next fixture is this Saturday when the firsts will play against Selkirk. Saturday 12 September is another game against Peebles and on Sunday 13^th September Gala are due to play Melrose.  

JUNIORS

All matches were off last week due to the weather.
This Wednesday the under 16s are due to play East Lothian away and then the under 12s host Peebles on Friday evening.

SUPPORTERS

The Club are delighted with the backing that our supporters, members and sponsors have shown by sticking with us during what has been a very difficult time.

The 1^st XI sponsors are Sinclair Duncan, Keith Irvine Plastering and Channel House Salon; while the juniors’ efforts are assisted by support from the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust, MKM Building Supplies, Caravan Fix and Cademuir Engineering.
All supporters/sponsors are listed on our website – www.galacricketclub.co.uk. 

CONTACT US

You can contact the club and keep it touch with the goings on at Meigle Park on Facebook www.facebook.com/gala1853, Twitter www.twitter.com/Gala_Cricket or at website www.intheteam.com/galacricket or sign up to our newsletter (contact [email protected]).

Sunday saw a return to action at Meigle Park as Gala’s Sunday Select XI took on Peebles County in a 30 over friendly.
The game was in significant doubt due to the heavy rain which had hit the Borders the week previous but a brilliant effort by Gala’s volunteer ground staff meant the game went ahead of the artificial wicket.
Peebles batted first and racked up 167 for six wickets with Slater top scorer with 71. Dinesh Tharanga took three wickets, while Robbie and Scott Paterson and Liam Skeldon claimed a wicket each.
In reply, Gala looked in real trouble at 96 for 6, still needing 72 runs to win from their final eight overs. 
But up stepped Scott Paterson to smash 51 not out, including six 6s to lead the hosts to victory in the 29th over. 
Finlay Rutherford also scored 47 while there were valuable contributions from Jamie Bell, Graeme Ormiston and Jamie Crooks. Niall Burns claimed four wickets for County.
Many thanks to Peebles for the game.

Peebles

R. Common b L. Skeldon 0

N. Burns b S. Paterson 0

J. Slater b D. Tharanga 71

P. Caddick ct ? b D. Tharanga 11

J. Godfrey-Fausett ct ? b R. Paterson 34

E. Howat ct & b D. Tharanga 25

P. Walker not out 0

A. Common not out 0

Extras – 25

Total – 167 for six wickets

L. Skeldon 4-1-23-1; S. Paterson 3-0-6-1; R. Paterson 6-0-28-1; A. Sujan 4-0-28-0; J. Crooks 5-0-21-0; J. Bell 2-0-7-0; D. Tharanga 4-0-27-3; J. Boyle 2-0-22-0.

Gala

F. Rutherford ct & b N. Burns 47

J. Bell b N. Burns 12

J. Crooks b J. Godfrey-Fausett 13

D. Tharanga ct ? b N. Burns 1

G. Ormiston not out 19

A. Sujan b N. Burns 0

R. Paterson b J. Slater 6

S. Paterson not out 51

Extras – 26

Total – 171 for six wickets

A. Edwardson 5.3-1-27-0; R. Common 4-1-21-0; J. Godfrey-Fausett 6-1-16-1; N. Burns 6-2-28-4; A. Brothy 3-0-30-0; J. Slater 4-0-26-1.