RBS Premiership Rugby: Aberdeen Grammar 25 - 26 Gala

Published on 16/09/2012 00:00

GALA made a piece of history at Rubislaw, recording their first win in 61 years at the Aberdeen ground, breaking local hearts with an injury-time drop goal and leaving the home side without a win in four Premiership starts, writes Jack Nixon.

The smarter, more disciplined Netherdale side held the homesters to 17-16 at the break but Aberdeen played a more controlled game to peg Gala back, even having the temerity to take a two-point lead with six minutes to play when the excellent home flanker Murray Douglas plunged over.

Grammar had taken an early lead through a Cam Eyre try, converted by Scott Wight, only for Opeta Palepoi to close the gap with his fine effort.

Grammar struck back when on its own overseas centre Peceli Nacamavuto crashed over. Wight added the extras to make it 14-5 before adding a penalty.

Two penalties from the immaculate Lee Millar made it 17-11 and Gala closed the gap right on the half-time whistle when hooker Cullum Mackintosh nipped over to set up a nail-biting second period.

Gala No.8 Ewan Dodds seemed to have clinched the historic win in 59 minutes, especially when Millar converted, but Aberdeen were not done, hitting back with a late Wight penalty and the Douglas try, but were ultimately undone by Miller’s cruel kick.