Indoor training details for coming weeks are now available.

JUNIORS

• Friday 10 February to Friday 31 March
• 7pm to 8pm
• Queens Centre, Galashiels
• £2 per session

SENIORS

• Indoor football – Friday 27 January (7 to 8pm), Thursday 2 and 9 February ( 8pm to 9pm), Queens Centre, Galashiels. £3 per session.
• Nets – Wednesdays 22 February, 1 March, 8 March, 15 March and 29 March, Earlston High. £3 per session.

Please find agenda for Gala Cricket Club’s annual general meeting on Friday 3 February below.

Please note:

• Its taking place in British Legion Clubrooms, not YM, and all are welcome.
• If you have any ideas for general running of club you would like to put forward please submit to galacricketclub@gmail.com before meeting
• The club needs some additional help this season to support and join our small band of volunteers. Doesn’t mean you/they need to come on committee and doesn’t mean need to commit every week – couple of hours every month or even season would be great. Looking for help in particular from anyone who could join a group looking after general ground maintenance.
  In additional anyone who could help with sponsorship, minibus driving, helping with a bar shift, assistance with admin for junior section, social media or any other skills you/friends/family may have which could help the club. If anyone was interested again please contact galacricketclub@gmail.com and come along to AGM.

Gala Cricket Club

Annual General Meeting

At Royal British Legion on Friday, 3 February 2023, commencing at 7.30pm.

British Legion address – 22 Park Street, Galashiels, TD1 1BZ

AGENDA

1. Apologies and welcome
2. Approval of AGM 2022 minutes
3. 2022 report (to be provided at meeting)
4. Treasurer report (to be provided at meeting)
5. Motions (please submit any motions in advance to galacricketclub@gmail.com)

• Life membership nomination
• 2023 membership fees

6. Election of office bearers
7. AOCB

Gala made it four wins in a row with an impressive 109 run triumph over high flying Morton at Meigle Park.

The Braw Lads knew a victory was needed if they were to have any chance of retaining their East of Scotland Championship title.

And Gala produced the goods on the club’s sponsors day, mainly thanks to a dominant batting performance which saw the home side score 273 for 3.

The innings saw overseas amateur Ridwan Khalia score his first hundred for Gala, finishing on 113 off 132 balls, which included eight 4s and three 6s.

He was supported by professional Upul Indrasiri who finished 89 not out as the pair put on 189 for the third wicket.

Captain Josh Irvine scored a quickfire 23 off seven balls to guide Gala to their imposing total.

Best bowler for Morton was Aron with 2 for 66.

Morton were on the backfoot from the start of their innings as Gala kept scoring opportunities to a premium.

There was controversy for the first wicket as Morton contested that a Gala catch had actually been dropped but the decision stood.

Dinesh Tharanga bowled Suresh for 16 to leave Morton 46 for 2, and the visitors were then stopped in their tracks by the tight bowling of Jamie Crooks and Indrasiri.

At 55 for 2 at the halfway stage, Morton tried to play more shots but three wickets for Crooks, thanks in part to two excellent catches by Robbie Paterson and Khalia, left them reeling.

Morton kept battling and eventually made it to 164 before Ash Rhode claimed the wicket of Senthil for 21 to seal a Gala win.

Crooks finished with 3 for 36, Indrasiri 2 for 32, Khalia 2 for 20, Scott Paterson 1 for 11 and Rhode 1 for 29.

The club thanks all sponsors and supporters who took part in fantastic sponsors day on Saturday.

The shining sun and little breeze made for scorching conditions at Meigle Park on Sunday where Dumfries travelled to play Gala in the Scottish T20 South Qualifier, with the winner heading to Stirling for finals day on the 24^th of July. Gala would be put into bat first in what was perfect conditions for cricket with a good wicket prepared and fast outfield.

Gala would open with Khalia and Crooks and the pair would go out hard at the pink ball as they looked to take advantage of there only being two men allowed out of the 30-yard circle. In the early stages the Gala batters managed to find the boundary easily as Crooks found his form attacking the offside whereas Khalia dealt some deadly blows straight back to the bowler. After the powerplay Gala would be 72 for no wickets after 6 overs. Khalia and Crooks would then be made to work hard for their runs as boundaries became hard to come by however Khalia still managed to clear the infield on 2 occasions. Crooks managed to get his release shot through a reverse sweep that ran down the hill for 4 however after this, Khalia would then depart not long after for 66 as he was caught in the deep, setting up Gala nicely at 102 for 1. Indrasiri would join Crooks however it would not last long as Crooks danced down the wicket to Staples who managed to slide one past, bowling Crooks for a supportive 32. Irvine, Eyre and Rhode would all join Indrasiri but all fail to make it to double digits whilst their Sri Lankan partner did the damage at the other end. Dumfries did well to get back into the game as they really slowed up the scoring rate of the home side however, towards the close of the innings Indrasiri found his timing and put the ball to the boundary on multiple occasions as he reached 52 before being bowled by Hobman. Tharanga would be joined by Finlay Rutherford but neither would score with Finlay Rutherford being run out on the last ball with Gala posting 179 for 7 wickets.

Harris Rutherford was on top form again with ball in hand as he found his line and length early on, managing to bowl Adid with the score on 2 and then strike again with the score on 24 as he bowled Thornely for 6. Dinesh Tharanga showed his class with ball in hand as he had Van Zyl caught behind by Khalia for 14 with the visitors struggling at 33 for 3. Crooks and Indrasiri would then pair up once again to attack the batters with spin from either end. Crooks managed to take two wickets in his first over, bowling McGrath and then Smit mistiming a cut shot to Indrasiri at backward point. Indrasiri then grabbed a wicket for himself as well as a run out before Crooks took the 8^th wicket and his third. Robbie Paterson had a chance of a wicket as McCutcheon looked to go big in the final overs however, he was put down in the deep by Crooks running into a difficult chance. No other wickets fell despite Paterson and Rhode’s best efforts meaning Dumfries fell short of the Gala total, scoring 125 for 8 after their 20 overs.

The win means Gala will travel to Stirling on the 24^th of July, returning to finals day again along with Forfarshire, with the Edinburgh and West qualifiers still to be played. The club will run a coach up to support the team so if you can, the boys would love your support! The 1^st team are next in action when they welcome Morton to Meigle Park on Sponsors day next Saturday.

On Saturday Gala 1^st XI travelled to Grange Loan to take on Carlton 2^nd XI in what was an important game for both teams in their Championship campaigns with both teams in the top half of the table looking to close down the gap on the top 2 spots. Skipper Irvine correctly called the toss this week and decided to have a bat on what was a wicket in tip top shape as well as an outfield that the ball would race across.

Gala’s new opening pair Ponneri and Eyre would look to get the visitors off to a solid start however it was anything but a good start, Ponneri would be caught at first slip with the first ball of the match by Ahmad meaning Khalia would have to walk out and join Eyre much earlier than expected. Khalia would then edge the ball into the slips two balls later however the South African was let off after it was dropped. With Gala well and truly on the back foot, Eyre played a crucial role in getting the border side back into the contest as he displayed some lovely strokes putting the ball to the boundary line. He and Khalia would push the score on and from what looked like a vulnerable position from the first over Gala recovered to reach 59 runs after the first 10 overs. Shortly after however, Ahmad would claim his second victim as he had Eyre caught after the opener made a very important 38. Indrasiri would join Khalia however the Sri Lankan would not last long as he made 2 runs before being bowled by Khan meaning Irvine would join Khalia. The pair did well to last until drinks at the halfway stage with the score being on 132. Khalia would then go on to hit his maiden league half-century for the club, an innings that was not the prettiest but certainly gritty as the overseas amateur really had to work for his runs. During the 33^rd over Khalia would fall as he chipped up to mid-on off the bowling of Macpherson. Two overs later Irvine would then be caught behind for a well-made 39 however, the skipper would be disappointed in not being able to push on after being set. After the two key wickets of Khalia and Irvine, the Gala order began to fall apart. Gala managed to keep Carlton out in the baking sun until the 50^th over where Harris Rutherford hauled out looking to have a swing in the last over meaning Gala finished all out for 202, a score that was certainly under-par but definitely defendable.

The Gala defence of their total started positively when Tharanga struck with Josh Irvine managing to take a blinder of a one-handed catch low to his left as he stood at second slip. Tharanga’s opening partner Rutherford would then claim a wicket with the score on 5 as he trapped Gill and with Gala applying pressure, the home side would be worried. A small partnership formed to take Carlton up to 29 before Tharanga claimed his 2^nd wicket as he bowled Macpherson in the eighth over. Tharanga then claimed his 3^rd wicket when he bowled Main for 28 reducing Carlton to 45 for 4. Upul Indrasiri was then brought into the tack as he bowled tight lines really restricting the Carlton batting order. Inndrasiri would then take the wicket of Nauman as he looked for a release shot, trying to slog the ball to cow corner only to find the edge of the bat with Scott Paterson taking the catch in the slips. Indrasiri would then bowl Carlton skipper D’ullise with the home side really struggling at 66 for 6. Irvine then opted to attack Carlton with spin from both ends as Crooks joined the attack with the off spinner managing to take a wicket in his 3^rd over as he bowled Ahmad. Indrasiri then picked up his 3^rd wicket as Josh Irvine took another catch meaning Carlton were well out of the game at 87 for 8. Crooks then took the final 2 wickets in an interesting spell with some poor bowling mixed with good wicket taking balls as he collaborated with Ponneri taking a catch at short cover and Khalia stumping the final wicket leaving Carlton all out on 89.

The same story as every week continues as there are still plenty areas that Gala can work on such as mending their collapse in the batting line-up however to walk away from Grange Loan with our first ever win there the team can be proud of their efforts. The bowling on show from Gala was excellent and this really took the game away from the home side after a two very good opening spells from Harris Rutherford and Tharanga backed by the spin of Indrasiri and Crooks who alongside Tharanga all took 3 wickets. Next Saturday, the 1^st team welcome Morton to Meigle Park in a game that will really boost both teams league position as Morton sit in 2^nd and Gala in 3^rd in what will hopefully be and excellent clash between both clubs.

GALA SCORECARD

S Ponneri c H Simpson b O Ahmad 0

E Eyre c R Main b O Ahmad 38

R Khalia c M Nauman b K Macpherson 62

U Indrasiri b S Khan 2

J Irvine c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 39

F Rutherford c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 2

D Tharanga c B D’ulisse b K Macpherson 10

J Crooks b H Simpson 5

S Paterson c K Macpherson b M D’ulisse 10

R Paterson not out 1

H Rutherford c M Nauman b M D’ulisse 4

Extras 29

Gala 1^st XI 202 all out after 49.3 overs.

FOW = 1-0, 2-72, 3-83, 4-158, 5-161, 6-166, 7-168, 8-192, 9-194, 10-202

CARLTON BOWLING

O Ahmad 9-2-48-2

C Stronach 7-0-44-0

S Khan 7-0-33-1

H Simpson 10-0-27-1

K Macpherson 10-1-30-4

M D’ulisse 5.3-1-12-2

P Gill 1-0-1-0

CARLTON SCORECARD

M Whittaker c J Irvine b D Tharanga 2

P Gill lbw H Rutherford 3

K Macpherson b D Tharanga 4

R Main b D Tharanga 28

M Nauman c S Paterson b U Indrasiri 17

B D’ulisse b U Indrasiri 4

H Simpson c S Ponneri b J Crooks 15

O Ahmad b J Crooks 4

M D’ulisse c J Irvine b U Indrasiri 1

S Khan st R Khalia b J Crooks 0

C Stronach not out 1

Extras 10

Carlton 2^nd XI 89 all out after 27.1 overs

GALA BOWLING

H Rutherford 5-0-25-1

D Tharanga 7-1-31-3

U Indrasiri 9-2-12-3

J Crooks 6.1-1-17-3

Another midweek T20 at Meigle Park on Wednesday saw Gala defeat Melrose to progress to the South qualifier at the end of the week. Melrose won the toss and put Gala into bat, looking to take early wickets and apply pressure on the Gala batsmen.

Gala opened with Upul Indrasiri and Jamie Crooks as the pair set about their work. The pair struggled to get used to the tennis ball bounce that the wicket provided however Indrasiri soon used this to his advantage dismissing the loose ball for 4 on more than one occasion. In the 6^th over Indrasiri chipped out to Crawford at mid on who covered the ground well as he 30 with the score on 44. Ridwan Khalia joined Crooks as the pair looked to increase the scoring rate and take the game away from the visitors. Khalia got away with chipping the ball mistiming it early in his innings before finding his flow going on to score multiple 4’s. Crooks was then stumped as he danced passed a ball from off spinner Crawford for 16 as captain Josh Irvine joined Khalia. Irvine played himself in well before unleashing some deadly blows as he raced on with the scoring, well supported to Khalia. The pair took Gala past the 150 mark both raising their bats for a half century. Irvine continued in his fashion of punishing the ball as he held nothing back in dispatching a monstrous 6 into the field up the hill however, not long after his partner Khalia would be removed in the 18^th over on 72. Eyre came in and gave the strike to Irvine straight away as he scored 22 in the final over taking Gala up to 215 with the captain unbeaten on 85.

 The Gala defence of their total started steadily. Melrose openers Davenport and Owen got the ball rolling for the visitors, seeing out a tricky spell from Harris Rutherford who bowled well as he found his line and length early on. Khalia bowled the occasional loose delivery which Owen punished down the hill to the long boundary. In the 7^th over Crooks managed to break the partnership as he took the wicket of Davenport for 14 as he found his spot with the ball in hand. Paterson then picked up the wicket of Owen who scored 17 displaying some good shots and with this wicket, Gala looked comfortable for the rest of the game as Melrose slipped away from the required rate with every ball bowled. Paterson managed to pick up his second wicket in his 2 over spell with Bell claiming one from the other end. John Imray made his return to the club and was rewarded with his performances from school gaining him a spot in the 1^st XI as he took 2 wickets in his three over spell. Melrose finished on 59 for 6 wickets after their 20 overs.

Gala can be happy they got the job done as they move into an important weekend. On Saturday the team travel to Grange Loan to try and tackle Carlton 2^nd XI in a crucial league game. Sunday the 1^st XI are rewarded for their efforts in the borders knockout cup as they host Dumfries in the South Qualifier for the Scottish T20 Cup where a win will see the team return to finals day as they did last year.

GALA SCORECARD

J Crooks st W Owen b D Crawford 16

U Indrasiri ct D Crawford b A Davenport 30

R Khalia c D Crawford b C Wilson 72

J Irvine not out 85

E Eyre not out 2

Extras 10

Gala 215 for 3 wickets after 20 overs

MELROSE BOWLING

E Compton 4-0-44-0

A Davenport 4-0-35-1

D Crawford 4-0-27-1

C Wilson 4-0-49-1

J Mcpherson 1-0-20-0

J Wojcik 2-0-28-0

D Howard 1-0-11-0

MELROSE SCORECARD

A Davenport lbw J Crooks 14

W Owen c R Khalia b R Paterson 17

D Crawford c E Eyre b J Bell 7

J Wojcik not out 9

S Nerkar b R Paterson 1

J Mcpherson b J Imray 0

D Playfair c A Sujan b J Imray 4

E Compton not out 0

Extras 7

Melrose 59 for 6 wickets after 20 overs

GALA BOWLING

H Rutherford 3-0-10-0

R Khalia 3-0-15-0

J Crooks 2-0-6-1

D Tharanga 2-1-6-0

R Paterson 2-1-3-2

J Bell 2-1-1-1

J Imray 3-0-4-2

A Sujan 3-0-8-0