RBS Cup: Aberdeen Grammar 17 - 27 Gala

Published on 03/03/2013 00:00

GALA put the disappointment of losing out on winning the Premiership behind them to stride into the last four of the RBS National Cup with a three tries to one win against injury-ravaged Aberdeen, writes Jack Nixon at Rubislaw.

The holders had too much firepower out wide for the home side, who had six players missing. Grammar started brightly but it was Gala who drew first blood when winger Craig Robertson raced in unopposed in 12 minutes for a try, converted by stand-off Lee Millar, who quickly added a penalty to make it 10-0.

The home side persevered and, in 20 minutes, winger Grant Walker split the Netherdale defence for a try, only for Mark Ryan to hit the post with his conversion attempt.

Millar kicked his second penalty, making it 13-5, a lead which was reduced to 13-11 after Ryan had found his range with two kicks of his own just before half-time. The same player pushed his side into the lead with a snap drop goal in 43 minutes, and then made it 17-13 five minutes later with a straightforward penalty.

Gala responded, enjoying their best spell, leading to a well-worked move from which Grant Somerville touched down, followed by a penalty try, both converted by Millar.