Heriot’s 28 - 27 Gala: Smash-and-grab by Heriot’s

THERE can be little doubting the excitement in club rugby by those who witnessed this stunning smash-and-grab by Heriot’s, writes David Ferguson at Goldenacre.

The Borderers seemed to be cruising to a second-successive Premiership win when leading 27-6 four minutes into the second half, tries from George Graham, Grant Somerville, 
Stevie Cairns and Lewis Bertram ensuring the bonus point. Crucially, though, they took their foot off the pedal, even with Heriot’s still down to 14 men with Alex Henderson in the sin-bin. Heriot’s did not make the same mistake when gifted their opportunity – a yellow card for Gala centre Alan Emond for a kick at Cammy Ferguson.

In the next five minutes, they astonished Gala by scoring three tries. Kevin Bryce was the finisher of a forward drive with Keith Buchan latching on to a charged-down clearance kick and Liam Steele rounding the Gala defence.

Ewan Scott came on for Gala and had a shot at goal but it drifted wide and that proved costly as Heriot’s 
finished strongly and a scrum penalty against Gala handed Graham Wilson the chance to seal an incredible victory with his third penalty of the day.