Dundee HSFP 20 - 44 Gala: Gala get perfect tonic for cup adventure

By JACK NIXON
Published on 08/10/2012 02:41

GALA will be the happier of the two sides going into Saturday’s British and Irish Cup after running out convincing winners against a Dundee side still recovering from a spate of injuries.

SCORERS:

Dundee - Tries: Brown, Paris, Laursen. Con: Urquhart. Pen: Steele.

Gala – Tries: McQuillin, Graham 2, Robertson, Dods. Cons: Miller 5 Pens : Miller 3

Not that the Taysiders will be a pushover, according to coach Ian Rankin, who said: ‘’We put a lot into getting into the cup, and are not going to let ourselves down, but flanker Andy Redmayne picking up a knock does not help.

“We were well beaten today, but not helped by losing a try to a forward pass at a vital stage early in the game,” he said.

The Borders side look to be the pick of the bunch chasing leaders Ayr, clocking 226 points in seven games, and seeking to build on that total when London Scottish come calling on cup business.

“I like to think we are a well-drilled outfit with a good attitude. We’ll take this win. Dundee is never an easy place to come,” said George Graham, the Gala coach.

The principal tormentor of the Mayfield men was Lee Millar, who was a quality act at stand off releasing his line with aplomb, kicking with authority, including eight successful place kicks to boost the Netherdale total.

Scrum half George Graham had a good away day with two tries, giving the half back partnership a combined tally of 29 points.

Dundee’s stand-out player was prop Steve Longwell in a competitive match which underlined Gala’s title credentials, though it was never a four yellow card affair, as referee Charles Samson seemed to think.

Dundee will now need to dig deep to pull away from the relegation area, but have a first to have a trip to Swansea to take its mind of domestic business.

Dundee HSFP: J Urquhart; A McLean, H Duthie, C Strachan, T Paris; B Laursen, A Dymock; S Longwell, D Russell, A Brown, C Cumming, R Hawkins, A Redmayne, I Wilson, R McIver. Subs used: D Curry, G Robertson, A Linton, R Milne, J Steele.

Gala: A McLean; G Somerville, C Auld, C Borthwick, C Robertson; L Millar, George Graham; L Pettie, R Anderson, E McQulillin, C Weir, O Palepoi, Garry Graham, S Cairns, E Dods. Subs used: C McIntosh, C Keddie, J King, C Mein, G Young.

Referee: C Samson.