Gala 39 Musselburgh 41

AN INJURY-TIME conversion from Danny Owenson gave Musselburgh only their second ever win over Gala on Saturday.

The scrum-half landed the match-winning kick to snatch victory – their first for nearly 60 years over the Borders giants.

Burgh, in their first meeting with Gala since 2009, made a blistering start, with Owenson kicking them in front inside four minutes.

Things got even better just moments later when scrum-half Donald Kennedy spotted a gap to score the first try.

Owenson converted for a 10-point lead.

Gala’s pack then fashioned a penalty which ex-Edinburgh and Glasgow stand-off Gregor Hunter goaled to cut the gap to seven, before centre Jeffrey cut open the Burgh defence to score the home team’s first try, and Hunter’s conversion tied the scores.

Gala were then held up over the Burgh line and from the resulting scrum the hosts worked the ball wide, where Rory Watt made a try-saving tackle but the referee deemed it dangerous and sent the Burgh man to the sin bin.

The hosts capitalised when Keen crashed over, with Hunter converting for a 22-10 lead before Gala lost Weir to a yellow card.

Burgh hit back as Watt returned, Luke Hutson crashing over from a 5m scrum.

The Borders side then had prop Logan sent to the sin bin but Burgh were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority and it remained 22-15 when the pair returned.

A fourth Gala try, and second for full-back Spiers, extended their lead and Tod’s try on the hour seemed to all-but put the game out of Burgh’s reach, with Hunter converting both scores to give Gala a 36-15 cushion.

Then came Burgh’s final-quarter comeback, started by Euan Milton’s try after the hosts lost a third player to a yellow card.

This time Burgh took advantage as Kennedy scored his second of the game to secure a bonus point.

Owenson missed the conversion but landed a penalty to cut the gap to 36-27 before his brother Craig scored with five minutes left.

A successful conversion this time reduced the gap to two points, but Hunter’s penalty appeared to seal the points for Gala, putting them five points up.

However, Burgh worked their way upfield and replacement Conor Slaven snuck over to score and tie the game.

All eyes were on Owenson, who converted to give Burgh an historic first-ever win at Netherdale.

Burgh return to the Borders on Saturday, taking on third-place Selkirk at Philiphaugh (kick-off 3pm).

Musselburgh: J Doig, B Hibberd, R Watt, G Pritchard, C Vela; D Owenson, D Kennedy; C Owenson, R Gregor, B Stott, C Pryde, G McKinstry, B Graham, J Crain, L Hutson.C Pryde, G McKinstry, B Graham, J Crain, L Hutson