Having been promoted into RBS Premier 1 at the end of the 2010/11 season Gala Rugby Club have stormed season 2011/12 so far.

Last Saturday (14 January) the 1st XV ended a run of seven victories on the trot encompassing RBS Premier 1, the RBS Border Regional Cup, which they won, and the Border League.

It’s this success and the well established rugby development programme they have underneath the 1st XV that has earned the side RBS Club of the Month for December and the £1,000 cash prize.

Gala President, Geroge Marshall, said: “The RBS Club of the Month award is a great accolade and we’re delighted to be recognised.

“It’s been a good season all round for the club as all our teams are doing really well.

“It’s something else to win this award because we haven’t received anything like this for a long time.”

In December the 1st XV won the RBS Border Regional Cup beating Hawick (19-0), Jed-Forest (56-10) and Melrose (15-14), from whom they reclaimed the Bill McLaren Shield and the 2nd XV beat Jed A 45-0 in RBS Reserve League East 1 where they currently sit top of the table.

Aside from performance they fund development officer, Ian Millar, who works in all nine primary schools in the Gala Cluster and has a close relationship with the local high school, Galashiels Academy. Millar also works closely with the Gala Mini Maroons, Gala Red Triangle, Gala Wanderers and Gala YM. This development is also reinforced by the support of over thirty volunteers committed to the growth of rugby in the area.

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “It’s great to see Gala Rugby Club get recognition for their efforts that have stemmed from several years of hard work to ensure Gala’s return to the top of Scottish Club Rugby.”

At the presentation of the award tonightat Netherdale, Linda Lawson, daughter of Bill McLaren, was also on hand to unveil the official Bill McLaren Shield and present it to Gala.

She said: “I’m delighted that Dad’s name is being remembered with the Bill McLaren Shield and that so many clubs will have a chance to compete for it.

“It’s an impressive trophy which I’m sure Dad would be very pleased with and it certainly will provide a significant incentive in so many matches.”

Gala will now seek to retain the trophy and stake their claim to be team to be engraved on it. They will begin this campaign at Netherdale a week on Saturday (28 January) when they play Currie in RBS Premier A.

As RBS Club of the Month winners, Gala will receive a cheque for £1,000 and ten invites to the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner at Murrayfield where they will be in with a chance of winning the prestigious RBS Club of the Season award. The dinner will take place on Friday 25 May. Places are now available to book at the reduced price of £35 per head, call 0131 346 5250.