Gala YM 25

Langholm 26

Joe Dickson

at Netherdale

DESPITE leading for three quarters of the game at Netherdale on Saturday, Gala YM were pipped at the post by Langholm when a last minute conversion just drifted outside the post.

It was a perfect day for running rugby and that is what the crowd got with eight tries shared.

YM had to sustain a rampant Langholm for the first ten minutes but the Gala youngsters tackled their hearts out against the much bigger visiting team.

YM went in from from a great try.

A long kick by Langholm deep into the home half saw Graham Dun grab the ball and beat several tacklers in a mazy run, before finding Fergus Johnston to send him on his way for a 40 metre run to the posts.

Struan Mitchell added the extras.

Langholm had a chance to get on the scoreboard but a simple penalty attempt was missed.

YM kept up the pressure and when Rhuary Horsburgh charged down a clearance kick, he still had enough wind to run to the line for an unconverted try.

Langholm were rattled and they had a lock forward sent to the bin.

Struan Mitchell kicked the penalty and YM were three scores clear at15-0.

Langholm got a try before the break after a long spell on the YM line and their heavy forwards crashed over to make it 15-5 at the change round.

Langholm took play to the YM line immediately in the second half and eventually managed a second try, which was converted to go within three points.

YM were having none of that and and a good handling move ended with a great dummy by Finlay Rutherford sending him through to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Once again Langholm came back and scored a fine try - the scorer beating several tackles on the way to the line.

The conversion was good and it was a one point game.

YM were tiring with all the tackling and as time ticked away Langholm got their bonus point try and the conversion put them six points in front.

Right on time, though, a fine move by YM sent Struan Mitchell thundering down the wing to score YM’s bonus point try. Unfortunately his touchline conversion slipped past the post giving Langholm a one point victory

and YM had to settle for two bonus points.

Finlay Rutherford got YM’s man of the match award. YM’s next game is on December 1 at home to Corstorphine.