Gala travelled to Inverness to take on one of the early National 1 League leaders, Highland at their new clubhouse and 3G pitch at Canal Park.
With the weather gods smiling on Inverness it was all set for a good game of rugby and so it turned out.
The game was strongly contested for the first 10 minutes with neither team able to take points of the other until Highland were awarded a penalty following a yellow card incident against Gala’s John Watson. As a result of the lineout and forward drive from the penalty Highland’s prop scored. The try was not converted.
2 mins later with Gala still down to 14men a good passage of play resulted in John Frew going over for a try, which was also not converted. Sustained Gala pressure in the second quarter resulted in the award of two penalties in kickable positions and at 24 mins and 28 mins Gregor Mein converted both.
Highland got back into the game and following a second yellow card against Gala on 39 mins, against John Frew, Highland scored through their winger Connor Ross. Again the try remained unconverted and the Half Time score was Highland 10 Gala 11.
The second Half started very poorly for Gala with a kick going straight into the hands of Highlands Full Back who evaded three tackles down the touchline to score under the posts. The Try was converted making the score 18-11.
Unfortunately Gala’s poor performance in the second half continued with Highland scoring another try, their bonus point, on 60 mins, which was converted. They were then awarded a penalty on 74 mins which they converted taking the score to Highland 27 Gala 11.
Gala did manage to get back into the game in the last 10 mins scoring a try through Terry Logan after some sustained pressure. The try was converted taking the score to 27-18. Gala continued to press for a further try to claim a possible bonus point, or two, but were ultimately undone by a last minute try from Highland taking the final score to Highland 34 – Gala 18.
Next week we have another National League 1 pace setter in Biggar coming to Netherdale. We expect to have some of our several injured players back for this match and plan to give them a warm welcome.
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