Gala Cricket Club faces an uncertain summer as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to impact on sports across the Borders.

It follows a CricketScotland ruling that no training or games in the country can be played until 1 June at earliest as a result of the government guidance to control the outbreak of the virus.

Gala had been busy training indoors for their return to the East of Scotland Championship after winning Division One in 2019.

The Meigle Park side, under new captain Duncan Millar, were due to take on Carlton 2nds on 2 May for their first game, with likes of Kelso, Freuchie and Edinburgh Accies amongst the sides Gala are due to take on in 2020.

The club had also lined up an exciting professional player/coach, and are due to launch a 2nds Saturday team for the first time in well over 20 years.

The juniors section were also training ahead of a busy schedule of fixtures across a variety of age groups. Four female cricketers – Caitlin Ormiston, Charis Scott, Maisie Maciera and Ashley Robertson – are due to represent Gala on the regional and international stage, and Robbie Paterson has been training over the winter with the Scotland Under 15s squad.

However, all plans are currently on hold due to the emergency lockdown.

Mike Halls, Gala CC chairman said: “This is a really difficult time for everyone, with the health of all the most important consideration at the moment.

“It is frustrating to have the new season put on hold but we fully support the decision by CricketScotland. It is unclear if or when the 2020 season will get underway but we will continue to keep in touch with our members and supporters via our social media pages and website throughout.

“We are aiming to get in touch with all members in the coming weeks regarding membership and hope they can continue to support the club this summer.

“We are extremely lucky to have some great local sponsors and we would ask the local community to support these firms in whatever way they can in the coming weeks and months.”

More information on the club is available at www.galacricketclub.co.uk.

Following guidance from Cricket Scotland, Gala CC has made the decision to cancel all senior and junior training until further notice.

Our ongoing fundraisers – Last Man Standing and Six Nations Forecasts – will be completed when both competitions are concluded.

We would like to thank our members and sponsors for their ongoing support, and will be in contact again in the coming weeks regarding the 2020 season.

Stay safe everyone!

Link to Cricket Scotland update: http://www.cricketscotland.com/cricket-scotland-statement-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR2BHdMrLYhJcQnRUzZ5rQ3g9BsookOBina93MYS9pr_LEpcKCSY2LebIjs

This years All Stars and Dynamos Cricket sign ups are now live on the ClubSpark website. All Stars Cricket continues into its 4th year at the club for 5-8 year olds, while brand new Dynamos Cricket for 8-11 year olds will run its first year!

Dynamos Cricket will commence on Thursday the 21st of May for 8 weeks from 5-6pm! Here is the sign up link: https://ecb.clubspark.uk/Dynamos/Course/01d581e9-5482-4637-b10e-c34648de9ee3

All Stars Cricket will commence on Friday the 22nd of May for 8 weeks from 5-6pm! Here is the sign up link: https://ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars/Course/6e0e73e5-147f-43b9-b119-c7dfabe04ed8

We are looking forward to more cricket available than ever over the summer!

For the first time in many years the club will field two of it’s own sides on a Saturday afternoon in the ESCA leagues in 2020.

The move will see a greater number of opportunities for the clubs youngsters to progress from the junior phase into the senior phase while will also present playing opportunities for others at the club.

Everyone at the club looks forward to the 2020 season!

Gala Cricket Club’s AGM will be held on Friday 24 January at 7.45pm, upstairs in the Gala YM Clubrooms. All members invited.

A players meeting will be held at 7pm immediately before the AGM, also upstairs in YM. This is opportunity for players to find out more information from club on plans for 2020 as well as hear the commitment the club requires from the squad to make this season sustainable.

We need as many players as possible to be in attendance as it is vital to allow us to take the club forward in 2020.

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.