GRAEME ORMISTON managed his highest score of the season on Saturday to maintain Gala’s promotion push.
Ormiston returned to open the batting for the Braw Lads in a wet West Lothian, and finished 48 not out with a mature innings in difficult conditions.
A depleted Gala travelled to Fauldhouse, with the hosts’ on-and-off-field problems meaning they were relegated from the National Leagues to East Division Two.
They are yet to win a game this season, and Gala captain Stevie Halls decided to put Fauldhouse into bat.
It seemed the correct decision as openers Colin Tonkin and Scott Cochrane both fell cheaply to Scott Paterson’s bowling, while Ricky MacDonald was unlucky to play onto his own stumps from Dean Moir.
At 17 for 3, Fauldhouse looked in trouble, but Franny Mahon stepped in to clobber his side back into the match. Mahon made Gala pay for a dropped catch following a mix-up between Kenny Paterson and Moir to score 53.
When Mahon was eventually out lbw to Robbie Pringle, Fauldhouse were 86 for five, but Gala managed to claim the final five wickets for 26 runs as Fauldhouse were all out for 112. Makeshift bowler Josh Irvine cleaned up for the tail to end with figures of 3 for 3.
After a heavy shower at tea, Gala started well against an enthusiastic opposition.
Ormiston and Halls put on 50 before the latter was caught by Mahon off the bowling of Alan MacDonald. When Josh Irvine departed an over later, Fauldhouse sensed a chance to cause an upset, but Ormiston, aided by the in-form Duncan Millar (30 not out), guided Gala home in the 37th over.