Double header for Gala with Selkirk and Melrose

Two of Gala Cricket Club's squads enjoyed victories last week

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 in to 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 were 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 1st XI.

Later, 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),while there were 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 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. See scoreboards on Sports Classified on page 53.