Gala’s day in a gale

Gala YM, in their regular maroon colours, manage to ground the ball in the tricky conditions (picture by Brian Gould).

Storm Ciara hit Edinburgh just as Gala YM started their East 3 game against Liberton – but they managed to get finished before the heavy rain, writes Joe Dickson.

Liberton had a big, heavy pack and they played the first half with the gale at their backs. At times, YM struggled to get out of their 22.

The home side went ahead on 10 minutes when their big forwards drove YM back over their line. The conversion gave the home side a seven-point cushion.

Gradually, YM began to get a grip on the game as the forwards took play into the home 22 and Kevin Andison was twice in the move which saw him score near the posts. Billy Brownlee’s conversion levelled the score.

YM continued to dominate and just, on half time, a break by Billy Brownlee took play to the corner flag .

Gala won the line out and Shane Kellett burst over for an unconverted try and a 7-12 interval lead.

YM had the gale at their backs now and they kept Liberton to just three visits to the YM half during the entire second period.

Good work by Jason Graham set up a chance on the blind side and Adam Williams raced in for another unconverted try to stretch the lead.

YM went all out for the bonus point try and more good work by the forwards saw Rhuary Horsburgh get it.

Once again, the wind won the conversion attempt.

As time ticked away, YM scored a fifth try from Stewart Walker when he broke through a desperate home defence to score at the posts and, this time, Billy Brownlee won the conversion battle.

It was a good day for Mark Knights, who was named man of the match.