RBS Premiership Rugby: Heriot’s 19 - 34 Gala

Published on 28/10/2012 00:00

Gala returned to domestic duty after a B&I Cup interlude and stepped up their Premiership title challenge with a clinical display built around three tries in a second-half purple patch, writes Colin Renton at Goldenacre.

The Borderers opened the scoring in three minutes when Lee Millar accelerated through a gap for a fine try which he also converted.

Heriot’s squared matters with their first attack of note, Max Learmonth racing between two Gala defenders and Graham Wilson converting.

The visitors had the advantage in the set piece, but the hosts held out until the 14th minute when Euan Dods forced his way over to edge Gala in front for a second time.

Again the response was swift, this time Wilson combining with his centres to send prop Struan Cessford in for a score which Wilson again converted to hand the hosts a two-point lead.

The home defence survived a lengthy spell on defensive chores before Gala reclaimed the lead with a penalty from Millar in stoppage time.

And Heriot’s paid the price for failing to capitalise on a spell in the ascendancy when Gala landed a quickfire treble – two of them converted – to make the win safe.

George Graham darted over from close range then Gavin Young shrugged off the attentions of CJ Osazuwa to clinch the bonus point score and Craig Robertson sprinted in from half way for try number five.

Heriot’s got a late consolation try by Mike Penn which completed the scoring.