YM leave it late to get much-needed victory
Sellars scores decisive try in entertaining encounter at Netherdale
GALA YM .......................................22 INVERLEITH ....................................17
ON a cold, blustery afternoon the YM secured an important home victory against Edinburgh side Inverleith at Netherdale on Saturday.
The 14-man Galashiels side established an early lead that they held until the middle of the second half before Inverleith drew level.
It was not until the last five minutes of the game that the YM got their noses in front again and managed to see the game out.
The home side opened the scoring after five minutes when quick ball from a scrum on the halfway line brought play to the Inverleith try line.
Patient attack from the forwards allowed Ciaran McLaren to score in the corner.
Inverleith got back on level terms after 13 minutes when a kick down field saw them threaten the YM line, leading to two penalties one of which they drove over from.
The YM then dominated play and a quick break down the line by winger Billy Sellars saw their forwards gain possession allowing Stuart Walker to cross over the try line from short range. A fantastic successful conversion from William Brownlee re-established their lead.
The windy conditions saw the YM lose the ball at crucial times so, despite their dominance, they were unable to extend their lead before half time.
Inverleith came back strongly in the second half keeping play in the YM half but were unable to add to their score.
After 20 minutes the Gala outfit got some momentum with a rampaging run by captain Jake Maxwell down the touchline.
He fed the ball to McLaren who broke past a couple of would-be tackles to score his second try in the corner.
With a 12-point lead the YM looked in a comfortable position.
However, within five minutes of going ahead, the YM lost a player to the sin bin reducing them to 13.
Inverleith capitalised on the numerical advantage to drive over close to the posts for a converted try.
Immediately from the kick off they scored again when they cut through the YM defence to score their second try in two minutes.
Failure to take the conversation meant the sides were locked at 17 points each with 15 minutes to go.
In a highly competitive atmosphere it was the YM who managed to get their noses in front.
A scrum close to the posts allowed the ball to be quickly passed through the backs to allow Sellars to score close to the corner flag after being denied a few minutes earlier.
With a five-point lead and under five minutes to go, it took some resolute defending from the YM before a relieving kick allowed them to escape their own 22 before putting the ball out of play to end the game.
This was a game the YM should have closed out earlier, but nevertheless this was a much-needed victory.
The man of the match was captain Jake Maxwell. The YM travel to Earlston for their final game of the season next week.