Gala 20-33 Llanelli: Graham left with injury worries after B&I Cup exit

GALA’S British and Irish Cup dream came to end on Saturday at Netherdale but coach George Graham was happy with the 
performance despite the defeat.

Scorers: Gala – Tries: Gary Graham, McLean, Robertson. Con: Millar. Pen: Millar. Llanelli – Tries: Eager (2), D Jones, Leach Cons, Williams (2). Pens: Williams (3).

Graham believes that the cup journey has been a learning experience for his players with one match on Saturday at London Scottish to complete the club’s programme before a return to the league campaign.

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“We worked hard to get our tries and we gave away soft ones,” he said. “It is always hard to come back from that and, uncharacteristically for us, we made mistakes and gave away ball. It is not often that we are happy with a defeat, but we have something to take into next week.”

Llanelli prop Shaun Hopkins agreed that it had been a difficult match. “Gala made it hard for us. We had to work hard to get a result,” he said. “We definitely had a more physical edge, but Gala are no pushovers.

Graham will need to assess some injury problems after his players faced a hard, physical side. “I think we have lost Gary Graham for a period of time as he has broken a couple of ribs. Ewan McQuillin has taken a bang, but the good news is that Opeti Palepoi is okay,” he said

Owen Williams gave Llanelli the perfect start with a penalty in the opening minute but, after Gary Graham had given Gala hope with a try in 20 minutes, three scores from Deon Jones, Stuart Leach and Duane Eager in the space of nine minutes stalled the Gala challenge. And it was effectively halted completely in the 41st minute with Eager’s 
second try.

Gala were eventually rewarded with tries from Andy McLean and Craig Robertson but Llanelli’s professionalism was evident in the fourth minute of injury time as Owen Williams landed his fifth kick with the game 
already of sight of Gala.

For the home side, Lee Millar kicked one conversion and one penalty.

Gala: A McLean; G Young, C Auld, B Turner, G Somerville; L Millar, George Graham; L Pettie, R Anderson, E McQuillin, C Weir, O Palepoi, C Keddie, Gary Graham, E Dods. Subs used: CMackintosh, C Hogg, T Weir, D Owensen, S Cairns, J King, C Robertson.

Llanelli: D Jones; D Ford, S Hughes, C Keenan, K Evans; O Williams, A Davies; S Hopkins, K Myhill, A Hopkins, L Rawlings, J Galley, S Leach, D Eager, C Price. Subs used: J Kaijacks, C Hawkins, C Cross, N Hart, B Jones, J James, J Lewis.

Referee: K Barry.