Gala 27 London Scottish 23: Front row key to memorable win

Sunday 14 October 2012

Gala made the perfect start to their cup campaign with a deserved win over the English Championship side London Scottish at Netherdale, striking a blow for amateur rugby in the process.

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It was a victory that was down to character, sheer guts and a refusal to cave in during the final few minutes when London Scottish turned the screw on their opponents. And it was a victory that gave the Gala coach George Graham immense satisfaction. "This is the best we've played all season," he said.

If there were heroes to be singled out then it surely had to be Gala's front row, particularly for their efforts in the dying minutes. London Scottish coach, Simon Amor, acknowledged Gala's scrummage skills, saying: "They were very effective towards the end of the game." He added: "Gala played with passion and a huge amount of energy. We rested a few players for this match, but that is no excuse for this performance. "Earlier, Gala's dynamic start set the tone as Lee Millar kicked an early penalty and then converted a try by Grant Somerville after the visitors had lost the ball in contact. But London Scottish found their composure, their bigger forwards making dents in Gala's defence and their backs operating with a smooth efficiency, the pressure resulting in a James Love penalty. Samoan PJ Gidlow was proving a threat in attack and when the powerhouse centre barged through the middle, Miles Mantella was on hand to finish with a try in the corner. The Exiles' driving mauls were putting Gala in difficulty and when Chris Weir was sin-binned for illegally stopping one of these human bulldozers, London Scottish took advantage with close range tries in quick succession by Willie Lipp and Colin Quigley, the latter's converted by Love. However, tries by skipper Opeta Palepoi and Craig Robertson, both converted by Millar, put Gala back in the ascendancy only for Love to put over a penalty Gala, though, found the energy to mount an attack that ended with Millar dropping a goal. Then, under sustained pressure, the home line held firm as their front row provided the ultimate bulwark in defence to secure a memorable win.Gala: A McLean; G Sommerville, C Auld, J King, C Robertson; L Millarm George Graham; L Pettie, C McIntosh, E McQuillan, C Weir, O Palepoi, Gary Graham, S Cairns, E Dods. Subs used: R Anderson, C Keddie, C Mein, C Dods, G Young, B Turner, D Owenson.London Scottish: J Love; M Mantella, D McCall, PJ Gidlow, D Howells; P Godman, R Samson; C Quigley, M Bloomberg, A McKenzie, S Twomey, T Hotson, W Lipp, B Lonergan, J Trayfoot. Subs used: M Irish, P Spivey, L Calder, R Bolt, A Reay, G Mullen. Referee: E O'Connell (Ireland)Bruce Gilmour

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Gala 27 London Scottish 23: Front row key to memorable win

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