A good crowd arrived at Netherdale optimistically hoping for a repeat of the previous weeks result. Both teams had changes, Gala had lost their captain Euan Dods with a foot injury which will keep him away from rugby for a few weeks. Heriots Blues had brought in their seasoned campaigners Craig Robertson on the wing and Charlie Simpson at full back.
The crowd did not have to wait long before the score board started to click over. After 3 minutes, Heriots Blues were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch and resulted in a line out on Gala 5 metre line. Heriots took the ball in the line out and it was fed to Craig Robertson to score in the corner. This was unconverted and took the score to Gala 0 Heriots Blues 5.
3 minutes later Gala were awarded a penalty about 40 metres out and the captain Rex Jeffrey opted to kick for goal. This proved to be the correct decision as Ross Cooke, Gala full back, slotted the ball home to give Gala 3 points.
After 11 minutes of the game Heriots Blues were awarded a scrum on the Gala 5 metre line following an offence in the scrum. The Blues opted for a scrum followed by a pick up by the No. 8 Richard Winton who slipped the ball to the winger Craig Robertson who managed to touch down for his and Heriots Blues second try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and took the score to Gala 3 Heriots Blues 10.
Possession went back and forward over the next quarter of an hour with Gala gradually coming back into the game. After 26 minutes Gala were awarded a penalty on Heriots 22 metre line and once again Ross Cooke was successful adding 3 points to the Gala score.
Two minutes later Ross Cooke was involved again when he collected a Heriots Blues defensive kick deep in his own half. The Gala backs made good forward progress as the ball was moved from hand to hand before reaching winger Andrew Mitchell who broke two tackles and crossed the line then running round to touch down under the posts. Ross Cooke converted and took the score to. Gala 13 Heriots 10.
5 minutes into injury time in the first half Heriots Blues won their line out deep into Gala territory, the ball was passed through the backs before their centre Louis Meynier touched down on the wing.
The half time score was now Gala 13 Heriots Blues 15.
Five minutes into the second half Gala had a scrum on the Heriots 5 metre line. This resulted in Josh Irvine picking up at the rear of the scrum to touch down down for another Gala try again converted through the boot of Ross Cooke. Score Gala 20. Heriots 15
Five minutes later with a penalty to Heriots Blues followed by persistent forwards pressure the Blues prop Ross Hutchison crossed the line to touch down. This was converted by their scrum half Graham Wilson to take the score to Gala 20 Heriots Blues 22
After 22 minutes Heriots increased their lead. Following a penalty inside the Gala 22 metre line the Blues kicked to touch. Heriots won their line out and formed a maul which was successful in pushing Gala over the score line and the hooker touched down. This was converted by Graham Wilson advancing the score to Gala 20 Heriots Blues 29.
Two quick penalties followed, the first to Gala converted by Dean Keddie and then Graham Wilson converted for Heriots Blues to increase both scores by 3 points.
Gala did not give up and their efforts were rewarded by a penalty try being awarded to them 2 minutes into injury time.
Shortly after the kickoff the final whistle ended a very competitive and entertaining game with the final score. Gala 30. Heriots Blues 32.
This takes Heriots into the semifinals of the Scottish Cup whilst Gala continue their league competition with a home game against Stirling Wolves next Saturday 1st February at Netherdale.
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