Gala 56 - 10 Jed-Forest: Craig Robertson gets hat-trick as Gala run in eight tries

GALA gave themselves a massive confidence lift ahead of what will effectively be a cup quarter-final with Melrose on Boxing Day with a demolition of Jed-Forest in the RBS Borders Regional Cup at Netherdale yesterday to maintain their premier position in this competition.

On a surface made playable by a massive snow-clearing operation yesterday morning, Gala ran in eight tries that included a hat-trick from Craig Robertson to secure what had seemed an elusive bonus point. The former New Year sprint winner scored two of his tries from the scrum-half position after moving from the wing to replace George Graham after the regular number nine was taken off as a precautionary measure.

Equally impressive for Gala was full-back Gavin Young, whose pace on to the ball helped the Maroons penetrate Jed’s defence and ultimately create tries. “We looked for the gaps today” said Gala’s backs coach, Scott Nichol, adding: “Everything came together. We tried to play rugby and released the ball at the right time.”

“The conditions were fantastic. The boys were scared not to get the bonus point after all the work that had been put in clearing the pitch,” quipped Nichol.

The only downside for Gala was an injury to their back row David Marshall, who was helped off after injuring his ankle. “It’s a pity we lost Dave Marshall, particularly as he’s hit good form lately,” said head coach George Graham. “The only other negative was conceding a try at the end of the game”.

Gala’s win might have been much greater but for some skilful defence in the wide channels by Jed. But overall the Riverside men, apart from individual contributions from their dynamic back row, Darren Gillespie, were never able to match the Maroons’ skills.

Two penalties by Andy McLean to one by his Jed-Forest namesake, gave Gala an early 6-3 lead, but it was soon obvious that the game was to be decided by try scoring and not goal kicking.

A slicing run by Robertson set up a try for Chris Weir and then from a line-out possession hooker Russell Anderson crashed over for Gala’s second try, both scores converted by McLean.

Just before the break Gala struck again as Shaun Law showed his pace to scorch along the touchline for a great try.

Scrum-half George Graham then extended Gala’s lead, after taking Marshall’s clever pass, McLean again converting. Then from a break by Craig Borthwick supported by Chris Dods, Robertson was on hand to score.

A line-out move gave Anderson his second try before Robertson scored from a wheeled scrum and then completed his hat-trick minutes later, McLean converting. But it was Jed who rounded off the scoring, as lock Neil Cook drove over and McLean converted.

Scorers: Gala: Tries: C Weir, Anderson 2, Law, Robertson 3, George Graham. Cons: McLean 5. Pens: McLean 2. Jed-Forest: Try: Cook. Con: McLean. Pen: McLean.

Gala: G Young; S Law, C Auld, C Borthwick, C Robertson; A McLean, George Graham; L Pettie, R Anderson, E McQuillan, C Weir, O Palepoi, D Marshall, S Cairns, T Weir. Subs used: A Johnston, Gary Graham, A Edmond, C Keddie, C Dods.

Jed-Forest: R Miller; G Young, E Scott, K Aitchison, D Gobby; A McLean, R Goodfellow; C Hogg, S Raeburn, A Croituro, P Hill, N Cook, A Nagle, D Grieve, D Gillespie Subs used G Nagle, M Weekly, G Taylor, J Hogg, C Gillan.

Referee: J-M Burel.