ROBBIE Irvine led Gala to a vital Braw Lads’ Day win over relegation rivals Marchmont at Meigle Park.

The 18-year-old took three wickets as the hosts restricted Marchmont to 158 for 8 on a tricky wicket, before Irvine made 44 to help guide Gala to a six wicket victory.

Gala captain Josh Irvine had no hesitation putting Marchmont into bat on a damp wicket after a week of rain, with groundsmen Davie Ormiston and Stevie Halls doing a brilliant job to produce a playable pitch.

It looked a good decision when Robbie Pringle removed Vijay Jalagandeeswaran for 1 but Ben Duerden and Yasiru Pulukkody put on 56 runs before Robbie Irvine took his first wicket to dismiss Duerden for 15.

Robbie Irvine struck again to remove the dangerous Pulukkody for 42 but Australian Liam Hard and Tom Parnell kept Marchmont in the game with another 50 run partnership.

There was controversy as Hard was dismissed after appearing to edge behind an Ash Rhode delivery, but was called back by the umpires when they decided he had not hit the ball.

But Parnell (23) and Hard (32) fell in quick succession and Gala continued to take wickets to restrict Marchmont to a total which was potentially tricky for the homesters to overcome.

Jack Halls and Robbie Irvine made a solid but slow start to Gala’s reply before the former was adjudged lbw for 23.

This brought Robbie’s brother Josh to the crease and the siblings added 61 until Josh was caught by his opposite number Peter Maksimczyk for 22.

Gala still needed 65 runs to win the game but Duncan Millar took the game to Marchmont, even after Robbie Irvine was caught after a patient but vital 44.

Unbeaten Millar scored 38 from 40 balls and was supported by Ash Rhode (17) and Graeme Ormiston (3 not out) as Gala made the target with almost 10 overs to spare.

Top bowler for Marchmont was Rajeev Routray who took 2 for 31.

Marchmont

B. Duerden ct D. Millar b R. Irvine 15

V. Jalagandeeswaran b R. Pringle 1

Y. Pulukkody ct A. Rhode b R. Irvine 42

L. Hard ct D. Millar b D. Tharanga 32

T. Parnell ct D. Millar b N. McIntyre 23

O. Collier run out (R. Irvine) 6

P. Maksimczyk ct G. Mein b D. Tharanga 2

G. Bevan b R. Irvine 1

J. Coverley not out 11

R. Routray not out 6

Extras – 19

Total – 158 for 8 wickets

R. Pringle 10-2-28-1; D. Tharanga 10-1-40-2; N. McIntyre 10-0-29-1; R. Irvine 10-0-38-3; A. Rhode 10-2-21-0.

Gala

J. Halls lbw T. Parnell 23

R. Irvine ct L. Hard b R. Routray 44

J. Irvine ct P. Maksimczyk b G. Bevan 22

D. Millar not out 38

A. Rhode lbw b R. Routray 17

G. Ormiston not out 3

Extras – 12

Total – 159 for 4 wickets

R. Routray 10-1-31-2; S. Dyer 5-0-16-0; T. Parnell 7-1-26-1; P. Maksimczyk 8.2-1-38-0; V. Jalagandeeswaran 6-0-26-0; G. Bevan 4-0-18-1.