Taking control up front, Gala were able to unleash their backs who exploited some weak tackling by a dispirited Edinburgh side. Gala’s superior fitness set them up for their highest score in the Premiership for nine years. Andy McLean kicked 18 points with two penalties and six conversions. Tries came from Iain Berthinussen (two), Neil Adams (two), Gordon Waddell, Paul MacDonald, Lee Kibble, Martin McGimpsey, David Gray and a penalty try award.

The best of starts saw tries for Tim Stuck and Chris Dalgleish, one converted by Andy McLean but the team eased off a bit and allowed Kirkcaldy back into the game. Two more tries by Alan Johnston and Tim MisKelly, one converted by McLean, kept us in with a chance despite four tries and some great goal kicking for the home side. With the last kick of the match McLean snatched a second bonus point with a penalty, but a mixture of over confidence and more injuries saw the first defeat of the season.

While never hitting top form, we earned a win through the strong play of the forwards, whose rolling mauls were impressive. The game featured the arrival of a new goal kicker in Chris Dalgleish, who added a try to his three early penalty goals. The vital try which sealed the result was scored by hooker Craig Hamilton at the end of an impressive drive by the Gala forwards.

Our opening Cup appearance ended in an easy win at Milntown, despite fielding a team weakened by injury and other absences. Chris Dalgleish, who had kicked a penalty goal, was replaced by Bruce Walpole who went on to score three tries. Andy Mclean took over as kicker and ended with 21 points from a try, five conversions and two penalties. The other Gala tries came from John Dalziel, Tim MisKelly and a penalty try.

With the return of several injured players we were well set up for this top of the table match. A strong back row set the tone of the game, and a confident performance showed again how we can perform against better class opposition. Winger Chris Dalgleish added another two tries to his total, the first being a classy operation involving all the backs, and Neil Adams powered through for another try. Andy McLean converted two tries and kicked two penalties.

One of the most exciting games of the season saw the Maroons come back from a 9-16 deficit with only nine minutes to go. Andy McLean’s fourth penalty set up the big finish and George Graham collected the winning try in injury time after a massive effort by the Gala forwards. Netherdale has turned into a bogey ground for Heriots, who have won on our ground only twice in the last 16 games.

Dreadful conditions made life difficult for both teams, but each managed a good try from the backs, with George Graham making sure for the Maroons late on with his fourth try of the season, all scored after coming on as a replacement. Andy McLean scored early on for Gala, converting the try himself. The home pack had the better of the struggle in rain and wind, and earned the win which kept the side in second place in Division 2.

An easy eight try victory completed another season’s double, and showed the team at something near top form. Strong forwards, quick ball release and good handling in poor conditions were features of an impressive all-round display. Tries were scored by Chris Dalgleish (two), Bruce Walpole, Lee Kibble, Tim Stuck, Alan Johnston, John Dalziel and replacement Gordon Waddell. Andy McLean kicked three conversions, a penalty and hit the woodwork three times.

As a Border League derby the game provided fine seasonal fare for the Boxing Day crowd. Gala’s four tries outscored Melrose’s three, but with only one conversion the game slipped away, despite a strong finish. Two late tries came from Iain Berthinussen and George Graham, after we had trailed by twelve points, but time ran out too soon. The other scores came from Alan Johnston and Chris Dalgleish, with Andy Mclean converting the first.

Never behind in the closest of games, we produced the winning try within a couple of minutes of the final whistle. There was little between the sides, with some staunch defence by the Maroons, and some first rate covering of a lively Dundee back division.. Tim Stuck’s early try was followed by two penalty goals from Andy McLean, and captain John Dalziel capped a strong drive by his pack with the late try. This completed a double over the league leaders, the third brace of the season for Gala.

Gala’s biggest ever score at Riverside Park saw the side hold on to pole position in the league. Six tries were again scored, with Gavin Dalgleish (two), Iain Berthinussen, Tim Stuck, Andy McLean and Paul MacDonald all involved. Andy’s kicking was again secure and netted him four conversions and a penalty goal. The pack had another good day and the backs found the conditions very much to their liking.

In dreadful conditions of driving wind and rain we surrendered a 5-3 lead with the end of the game looming. Loss of an early penalty was countered by a good try from Iain Berthinussen, following some creative work by the back row and a quickly released ball. But the home left winger got his foot to a loose ball, leading to a late try far out on the left. Weather conditions ruined what could have been a colourful game.

Another heavy winter day but the team overcame snow blizzard conditions in style, running in eight tries and adding two conversions from Andy McLean. Tom Weir led the scoring with three tries, scrum half Tim Stuck had a couple, and the other tries came from Euan Johnstone, Gavin Dalgleish and Gordon Waddell. Gala were in the lead in three minutes and never hesitated while producing their third highest ever score against the West.

With players away on international duty and others being brought in for much needed match exposure the selection for this Southern Reporter Border League game was unfamiliar. A lack of domination in the forward struggle, and the absence of much in the way of penetration behind the scrum meant that Gala were on the back foot for a lot of the game. Tom Weir picked up a late try and Jackson Berry kicked three first half penalties.

After a bright start and an early lead the team went badly off the boil and ended well beaten in most departments of the game. Three tries were conceded, and Andy McLean’s two penalty goals in the first quarter were all we could salvage from this quarter final tie.

The wind did its best to upset things, but we still managed seven tries to get the lift that took us to the Division 2 championship. A largely reserve threequarter line did well, and the forwards, despite injuries, coped well with a hard working home side. The tries came from Jamie Henderson, Malcolm Horsburgh, Chris Dalgleish, Gavin Dalgleish, Craig Hamilton, Tim Stuck, and Graeme Bryce. Andy McLean kicked two conversions in difficult conditions.