Tennent’s National 1 remains all to play for | Gala v Heriot’s match report
16 Apr 2022Heriot’s Rugby keep their promotion hopes alive after they overcame Tennent’s National 1 league leaders Gala at Netherdale this afternoon.
Tennent’s National League 1 will now be decided by the fixtures that are played on Saturday 23 April when Heriot’s travel to Cartha and Gala travel to Dundee.
If Heriot’s are to secure themselves the league win they must be victorious against Cartha and score more than four tries in the process.
However, Gala could still win the league, but they would need to earn two more league points than Heriot’s to earn themselves promotion to the Tennent’s Premiership next season.
If Gala get one more league point that Heriot’s next weekend then the league will be decided on points difference.
Liam Scott scored a last minute try for Gala against Heriot’s, to finish the game 19-22.
Gala v Heriot’s | Saturday 16 April
The first score of the game came just over half and hour into the match when Gala prop Marius Tamosaitis crashed over the whitewash in-between the sticks to make the conversion by stand-off Craig Dods a simple task.
After a sustained period of pressure Heriot’s were able to get their rolling maul moving and hooker Rory Jackson secured the ball down over the try line.
HALF-TIME: Gala Rugby 7-5 Heriot’s Rugby
Heriot’s went ahead ten minutes into the second half when Angus Dunn was penalised for holding on, Heriot’s scrum-half Graham Wilson slotted the ball between the uprights, on his 300th game for the club, to give the visitors a one point lead.
A few moments later Heriot’s winger Charlie Simpson dived in at the corner with Wilson nailing the conversion from the touchline.
The visitors extended their led when Number 8 Ali Johnston went over with Wilson converting once more.
Heriot’s were down to 13-men for the last few moments of the game with yellow cards shown to Oisin Quinn and Ali Johnston.
With a two-man advantage and two minutes to go Gala openside flanker Liam Scott went over for a try with Scott Peffers adding the conversion.
In the final play of the game, the hosts went over for a last-chance try from full-back Murray Wilson, but the drop kicked conversion attempt was just short of the posts by Peffers.
FULL-TIME: Gala Rugby 19-22 Heriot’s Rugby
Gala Rugby: 15. Murray Wilson, 14. Fergus Johnston, 13. John Turnbull, 12. Rex Jeffrey – CAPTAIN, 11. Ben Gill, 10. Craig Dods, 9. Lachlan Johnston; 1. Jack Williamson, 2. Jack Easson, 3. Marius Tamosaitis, 4. Robbie Irvine, 5. Euan Dods, 6. Taylor Wilson, 7. Liam Scott, 8. Angus Dunn.
Replacements: 16. Kyle Scott, 17. Josh Irvine, 18. Stevie Cairns, 19. Tim McKavangh, 20. Scott Peffers
Heriot’s Rugby: 15. Rory Steele, 14. Charlie Simpson, 13. Oisin Quinn, 12. John Semple, 11. Craig Robertson, 10. Rory Carmichael, 9. Graham Wilson – CAPTAIN; 1. Angus Munro, 2. Rory Jackson, 3. Ross Hutchison, 4. Callum Anderson, 5. Sean Johnstone, 6. Lewis Govenlock, 7. Innes Hill, 8. Ali Johnston.
Replacements: 16. Daniel Dineen, 17. Archie Bogle, 18. Martin Hughes, 19. Steven Simmers, 20. John Rae
Image credits: Rob Gray
