Heriot’s 18 - 18 Gala: Gala ends losing streak

Gala coach George Graham saw his men produce a gutsy performance to halt a run of five defeats. But, while praising the effort of his players in the 18-18 draw with Heriot’s on Saturday, Graham still viewed it as a missed opportunity.

Galas Gary Adams tries to burst clear at Goldenacre during Saturday afternoons intriguing BT Premiership stalemate with Heriots. Picture: Toby Williams

“I’m quite happy, but I certainly think it’s two points lost. I think we were the better team on the day,” he said.

Gala took the game to their opponents in the opening 15 minutes. Craig Dods booted a penalty and a conversion, while Graeme Speirs and Frankie Robson had a try apiece as the Borderers dominated proceedings.

Heriot’s looked sluggish but eventually rallied, with skipper Jack Turley leading by example as he dotted down for the first of his side’s tries.

Graham Wilson converted then exchanged penalties with Dods to leave the Borderers 18-10 ahead at half-time.

Wilson clawed back three points with another penalty and the title holders snatched a share of the points when Struan Cessford applied the final touch after a powerful surge by the Heriot’s forwards.

Both sides had opportunities to take the win, but Heriot’s coach Phil Smith acknowledged that the performance of his men had barely merited that.

“We don’t know why it took us so long to get going. We have now played ten weeks back to back. Maybe there is a little bit of jadedness in there. We didn’t have a weekend off because of the Charity Shield match,” Smith said of a performance which, nevertheless, has moved Heriot’s back into second spot in the Premiership table.