The club is delighted to share is appointed office bearers for 2022. Many people have reprised their roles while there have been some new appointments on the playing side of the club.

• CHAIRMAN – Mike Halls
• SECRETARY – Bruce Robertson
• TREASURER – Alan Niven
• GROUNDS TEAM – Davie Ormiston, Stuart Anderson, Josh Irvine, Robbie Irvine, Finlay Rutherford, Bruce Robertson.
• FIXTURE SECRETARY – Jack Halls
• JUNIOR CRICKET COORDINATOR – Jack Halls

• 1ST XI CAPTAIN – Josh Irvine
• 1ST XI VICE-CAPTAINS – Aashiq Rhode & Finlay Rutherford
• 2ND XI CAPTAINS – Craig Thomson & Sebastien Loumeau
• 2ND XI VICE-CAPTAINS – Liam Skeldon & Robbie Paterson

Good luck to everyone in their roles for 2022!

We will be running our annual six nations competition again this year with the first match kicking off in February.

Competition forms are available through the link below:

All you need to do is complete and return the form, filling our what teams will win what matches plus the tiebreaker question.

Please read the information on the form as to how you can return them. Entry is £1 and the prize is determined by entry numbers.

Thankyou for supporting the club and good luck!

We are delighted to share that indoor training for both senior and junior players will commence later this month.

Senior training kicks off on Wednesday 19th January from 19:15pm to 20:45pm at Earlston High School. This is open to players of any age above late junior level cricket and to any ability!

Junior training starts on Friday 21st January from 7pm to 8pm at the Queens Centre, Galashiels and will run every second Friday onwards. Again, all new players are welcome and this is open ages from 8 to 16 years old. There will be a small cost per head to cover hall costs.

• 

Both training schedules are subject to government restrictions. Any updates impacting the sessions will be shared on our website and social media pages.

So if you are new to the area, fancy taking up cricket, want to return to an old sport, want to join a new club or just fancy something new, then come along to the sessions or get in touch with us via social media, our website, or galacricketclub@gmail.com

Everyone is welcome! #getinvolved

2021 was one of the most successful years in the clubs history.

ON THE FIELD

The 1st XI won 3 trophies – the ESCA Championship, the Border T20 Cup & the Rae Nichol Memorial Trophy. The team also got to the National T20 finals day for the first time in our history. We fielded a Saturday 2nd XI for the first time in over three decades with the team narrowly missing out on promotion. Our Sunday team continued to play in the Sunday League helping provide more senior cricket than ever before at the club.

Our junior sections continued to thrive, with more hardball games than ever before for the older age group. We hope to get more games for the younger age group next season! Junior players had success at a regional and national level. Maisie Maceira represented Scotland U15 girls while Robbie Paterson was selected to train with Scotland U15 boys. Both, along with Kieran Toor were selected for the Eastern Area squads at their age groups.

OFF THE FIELD 🏠

The club welcomed new sponsors and continue to value the support of returning sponsors who have helped support the club on and off the pitch.

We created a brand new beer garden area which was used along with our shared Marquee. We hope we will see it in action for many more sunny days up at Meigle Park in 2022.

Meigle Park went viral on ICC twitter mainly thanks to the amazing efforts of our groundsmen.

We hosted various different events such as the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust Softball Festival,  the Sri Lankan Sixes Day, local runner Ryan Small’s 24 charity run, weekly cricHIIT and All Stars sessions plus our first ever club run summer camp and more!

Here’s to an even better 2022 and a huge thanks to everyone who’s supported the club this year. Happy new year when it comes.

TOP PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR

1st XI

• Josh Irvine – 114* vs Kelso
• Sidd Ponneri – 109* vs Marchmont
• Upul Indrasiri – 108* vs Grange 2XI

• Dinesh Tharanga 9 for 15 vs Edin Accies
• Upul Indrasiri 6 for 1 vs Kelso
• Upul Indrasiri 5 for 20 vs Clacks

2nd XI

• Seb Loumeau 81 vs Watsonian 4th XI
• Max Hastings 78 vs Carlton 5th XI
• John Imray 54 vs Edin South 3rd XI

• Caitlin Ormiston 5 for 23 vs Ed South 3XI
• Liam Skeldon 5 for 30 vs Ed South 3XI
• Seb Loumeau 4 for 9 vs Carlton 5XI

Top Run Scorers

• Josh Irvine – 675 @ 39.71
• Sidd Ponneri – 597 @ 39.8
• Robbie Paterson – 494 @ 24.7
• John Imray – 472 @ 27.8
• Upul Indrasiri – 456 @ 38

Top Wicket Takers

• Dinesh Tharanga – 54 @ 8.22
• Upul Indrasiri – 40 @ 6.5
• Liam Skeldon – 39 @ 11.92
• Robbie Paterson – 32 @ 16.84
• Jack Halls – 21 @ 13.33

Top Catchers

• Duncan Millar – 30
• Graeme Ormiston – 18
• Josh Irvine – 17
• Finlay Rutherford – 15
• Upul Indrasiri – 11

• 

The club are delighted to announce that Upul Indrasiri will be returning to the club in 2022.

The Sri Lankan had a fantastic impact on the pitch, scoring over 450 runs in the 2021 season with a top score of 108 not out against Grange. Upul averaged over 38 with the bat in all competitions.

With the ball he took 40 wickets, averaging an incredible 6 runs per wicket. This included 2 five wicket hauls with best figures of an outstanding 6 for 1 against Kelso.

Upul also made a brilliant contribution to the clubs coaching, helping many of our junior and senior players.

Upul has continued this success in the Sri Lankan One Day Domestic league where he was 4th highest wicket taker across the whole competition

1st XI captain Josh Irvine said “Upul’s contribution was a big factor in helping us win the Championship and have success in the National T20 Cup last season. We’re delighted to be welcoming him back and hope his experience will continue to be a benefit to the whole club”

• 

The club are looking forward to welcoming Upul back to Meigle Park in 2022.

Gala CC will be holding junior winter sessions in the new year.

Sessions will be held at the Queens Centre, Galashiels from 7pm-8pm on 5 Fridays.

Friday 21st Jan, Friday 4th Feb, Friday 18th Feb, Friday 4th March & Friday 18th March.

Each session will cost £2 to cover the cost of the hall.

Sessions are available to players aged 16 and under and all new and returning players are welcome!

Robbie Paterson and Ajith Susan both scored maiden 50s as Gala’s Sunday side concluded their season with a 39 run friendly win.

Paterson (51) and Sujan (50) both retired as Gala made 157 for 5 from their 30 overs against Edinburgh

In reply, Edinburgh South made 118 all out, with Jamie Bell leading the way for Gala with 3 for 16, while youngster Finlay Skeldon (2 for 2) and Paterson (2 for 20) also bowling well. Abdul-Kander Mohammed scored 50 for the visitors.

Thanks to Edinburgh South for travelling down to Gala for the friendly game.

Gala

J. Bell b R. Kumar 12

R. Paterson retired 51

A. Sujan retired 50

S. McAneny ct & b R. Rickerson 6

R. Anderson ct R. Rickerson b S. Kumar 5

M. Maceira not out 9

S. Paterson ct & b A. Mohammed 0

F. Skeldon ct & b A. Mohammed 0

S. Loumeau not out 6

Extras – 10

Total – 157 for five wickets

Edinburgh South

R. Kumar ct R. Patterson b J. Bell 12

N. Malapati ct F. Rutherford b J. Bell 4

S. Kumar ct S. Loumeau b J. Bell 9

A. Mohammed b F. Skeldon 51

A. Suriyapperuma ct F. Rutherford b R. Paterson 17

S. Zia ct S. Paterson b R. Paterson 0

R. Rickerson ct F. Rutherford b A. Sujan 1

Y. Thirukkumar run out 0

D. Richardson not out 6

A. Martin b F. Skeldon 0

Extras – 16

Total – 118 for nine wickets

M. Maceira 5-0-20; J. Bell 5-0-16-3; S. Loumeau 5-0-20-0; R. Paterson 5-0-20-2; R. Anderson 2-0-14-0; A. Sujan 4-0-12-1; S. McAneny 1-0-8-0; F. Skeldon 1.5-0-2-2.

Gala secured their first ever East of Scotland Championship title thanks to a comprehensive win at Marchmont on the final day of the season.

The Braw Lads needed to win to pip Carlton to the title by one percent and did so in style with a 149 run victory at Cavalry Park.

It sets up a play-off game against the winners of the Strathmore and Perthshire League on Saturday 11 September to earn promotion to the Eastern Premier League, which a number of Scotland’s biggest clubs play in.

Gala’s total of 235 for five was laid thanks to a brilliant hundred by opener Sid Ponneri, who put on a 100 run opening partnership with Finlay Rutherford (31).

Gala’s innings then wobbled as Jack Halls and Upul Indrasiri both fell soon after for ducks but captain Josh Irvine scored a quickfire 59 from 39 balls to help Gala to their best score of the season.

Ponneri finished on an unbeaten 109, batting the whole Gala innings in what was a brilliant performance.

In reply, Marchmont slipped from 52 for 2 to 86 all out thanks to a combination of all of Gala’s bowlers taking wickets.

Indrasiri was top wicket taker with 3 for 12, while Robbie Irvine, Ash Rhode and Dinesh Tharanga took two wickets each and Scott Paterson one wicket.

Meanwhile, Gala 2nds defeated Stewarts Melville 4ths at Meigle Park by four wickets to finish the season in third place in Division Seven, just outside the promotion spots.

Stewarts Melville made 170 all out which looked a decent total and Gala were struggling at one point but captain Ross Patterson and Graeme Ormiston saw the team home.

It caps a good return from the Gala 2nds in their first season playing Saturday cricket for over 20 years.

To cap off a busy but successful weekend, eight under 12s teams took part in the Rowan Boland Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Meigle Park. The overall winners were Carlton but the day helped raise £400 for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust charity through a raffle and cake sale. Thanks to all the teams, volunteers, coaches, umpires and groundsmen who played their part, and in particular Jack Halls for organising the day.

Gala suffered a heartbreaking East Premier League play off defeat on Saturday.

The Meigle Park club lost by 23 runs to Strathmore and Perthshire Union champions Falkland at Freuchie CC to end a fantastic league winning season with a narrow defeat.

Batting first, Falkland were soon in some trouble at 32 for 3 but an excellent 88 run partnership between Sri Lankan professional Harsha Cooray (47) and Scotland under 19 cap Lyle Robertson (50) put Falkland in charge.

But Gala fought back well, with Jack Halls crucially taking both batsmen, and Falkland eventually all out for 175. 

Halls finished with his best ever figures of 5 for 32, with Gala’s own Sri Lankan professional Upul Indrasiri (2 for 15) and Dinesh Tharanga (2 for 20) taking the remaining wickets.

In reply, Gala got off to a steady start before Falkland’s Alan Hamilton took an incredible hat-trick to leave Gala 23 for 4 and seemingly out of the game.

But back came Gala again as Sid Ponneri (21) and Ash Rhode (22) supported an outstanding knock by captain Josh Irvine (71) to leave the Borders side needing 39 from the last 10 overs to win promotion to the highest level in Scottish club cricket.

However, when Irvine was caught on the boundary, sparking wild celebrations amongst the Falkland side, it was game over for Gala who eventually finished 152 all out.

Hamilton finished with a superb 6 for 38, with Gala wishing Falkland the best of luck in the Premier League next season,

Despite the loss, Gala still enjoyed a fantastic season which saw the team win both the East of Scotland Championship and Border T20 Cup, while also making the Scottish T20 finals day for first time ever.

Falkland

G. Watson run out 22

E. Sloan ct & b D. Tharanga 8

S. Meikle ct & b U. Indrasiri 0

H. Cooray ct U. Indrasiri b J. Halls 47

L. Robertson ct J. Irvine b J. Halls 50

A. Ferguson st D. Millar b J. Halls 7

C. Neillies b J. Halls 2

B. Ditchmen ct. R Irvine b U. Indrasiri 6

L. Briggs not out 13

R. Hepburn lbw J. Halls 0

A. Hamilton b D. Tharanga 0

Extras – 20

Total – 175 for ten wickets

R. Irvine 7-1-35-0; D. Tharanga 8-3-20-2; U. Indrasiri 10-4-15-2; S. Paterson 5-1-33-0; A. Rhode 10-0-39-0; J. Halls 10-0-32-5.

Gala

S. Ponneri lbw b L. Robertson 21

F. Rutherford ct H. Cooray b A. Hamilton 10

J. Halls lbw b A. Hamilton 0

U. Indrasiri ct A. Ferguson b A. Hamilton 0

D. Millar lbw b A. Hamilton 0

J. Irvine ct S. Meikle b A. Hamilton 71

J. Crooks run out 3

A. Rhode b L. Robertson 22

D. Tharanga run out 7

R. Irvine not out 5

S. Paterson ct. L. Robertson b A. Hamilton 2

Extras – 6

Total – 152 for ten wickets

R. Hepburn 9-2-24-0; L. Robertson 10-2-26-2; A. Hamilton 9.3-2-38-6; L. Briggs 3-0-16-0; B. Ditchmen 10-1-31-0; H. Cooray 6-0-16-0.

A fine knock of 81 by Seb Loumeau helped set up a good Gala 2nds win against Watsonians 4ths at Craiglockhart.

Loumeau’s score, coupled with support from John Imray (37), Max Hastings (30) and Jamie Bell (28) set the platform for an excellent Gala score of 196 for six from their 40 overs. Best bowler for Watsonians was Matthew Burgess with 2 for 33.

In reply, Nick Murton took the wickets of both Watsonians openers Dickinson and Burgess and while the capital side kept battling, regular wickets meant they fell short on 144 for 8 as Gala ran out comfortable winners by 52 runs.

Caitlin Ormiston took 3 for 26 and Murton 2 for 17 while Liam Skeldon (1 for 15) put in another economical spell as did Bell (1 for 13).

It leaves Gala third in Division Seven, with two games remaining and keeps alive their promotion hopes.

Innings of Gala 2

+	M Hastings	Caught A Dickinson	b H Teall	30
	J Imray	Caught E Walker	b M Burgess	37
	S Anderson	Ct. & Bld.	b H Teall	0
	R Paterson	Bowled	b M Burgess	0
	S Loumeau	LBW	b T Tucker	81
	J Bell	Run Out		28
*	R Patterson	Not Out		0
	J Boyle	Not Out		0
	C Ormiston	DNB
	N Murton	DNB
	L Skeldon	DNB
	Extras	6b 3lb 9w 2nb	20
	TOTAL	for 6 wkts (40 ovs)	196

Bowler O M R W     E Walker 8.0 0 34 0     T Tucker 7.0 1 31 1     H Teall 7.0 0 35 2     M Burgess 6.0 0 33 2     E Tucker 8.0 0 25 0     A Dickinson 2.0 0 17 0     H Tucker 2.0 0 12 0

Innings of Watsonians 4

*	A Dickinson	LBW	b N Murton	10
	M Burgess	Bowled	b N Murton	34
	D Evans	Ct. & Bld.	b L Skeldon	1
+	R Millar	Bowled	b C Ormiston	2
	E Tucker	Bowled	b J Bell	1
	H Teall	Caught L Skeldon	b C Ormiston	16
	E Walker	Caught S Anderson	b C Ormiston	15
	S Counsell	LBW	b R Paterson	29
	T Tucker	Not Out		8
	H Tucker	Not Out		8
	A Sinclair	DNB
	Extras	4lb 13w 3nb	20
	TOTAL	for 8 wkts (40 ovs)	144

Bowler O M R W     L Skeldon 7.0 2 15 1     N Murton 7.0 1 17 2     C Ormiston 8.0 0 26 3     J Bell 5.0 1 13 1     R Paterson 8.0 1 36 1     J Boyle 5.0 0 33 0