Home > Video Bulletins > Gala beat Melrose in one of the few games to played today in Scotland
The pitch at Netherdale at the end of the game played in torrential rain and up to 60mph gusts of wind should have resembled a ploughed field, but as the players trouped off at the end there was little evidence that a game had even been played! But it was a tough day at the office for all on the park playing rugby in such dreadful conditions, and yet some quality rugby was indeed played. Melrose scored all their 10 points inside the first three minutes, with James Head scoring a try converted by Joe Helps, who also landed a long-range penalty. A David O’Hagan penalty just before half time reduced the gap to seven points and then Gala took control with two well-worked tries by full back Graham Speirs and a forwards effort touched down by Ewan Dods. O’Hagan converted two of them from the touchline and added a penalty at the end to bring the final score to 25-10. It was a return to form for the Maroons who capitalised on the even worse weather in the second half with Melrose facing horizontal rain. But this was a much better performance for Gala and a result which, in addition to giving them four valuable points in the Premiership, puts them on top of the table in the Booker Border League in this double header. They now must be hot favourites to go on and win the title for a fourth time in five years with a game in hand on Melrose and a superior points difference on Hawick. Watch highlights here.
The only other local match played involved Hawick Harlequins who lost 10-5 at Murrayfield Wanderers on the 4G pitch in the East League Division 1.