On Tuesday 6th December, an intrepid group of players journeyed up to Kinross to play in a friendly match against Tulliallan Curling Club. This social game was suggested after a visit by a group of Penicuik curlers to Stranraer in the early part of 2022 where they renewed acquaintances with fellow curlers from the Tulliallan Club.

Jim Ramsay skipped the first Penicuik rink, with fellow curlers Liz Anderson, Jean Noble and Pam Ramsay playing against Alan P. and his team of Elaine, Janice and Gill. It did take the visiting players a couple of ends to get used to the speed and draws of the Kinross ice and it was all square at 1 each after 2 ends. By this time the Penicuik ladies were realising that they were in for a tough game and having to sweep hard to stay in contention. Penicuik took a 2 in the third before Tulliallan come back with a 1. Now more used to the ice both leads were able to play to the edge of the house, and with Jean able to take out Tulliallan counting stones and Liz making some great draws to the middle of the house, Skip Jim and opposition Skip Alan were left to battle it out for the winning shots. With time running out after 6 ends, Penicuik finished 6-2 ahead and the Skips shook hands.

In the other game Dave Carr, Jim Cowper, Stuart Blackwood and Jim Hume played against another team of 3 ladies and 1 gentleman, this time skipped by Angela.
On very swingy ice, big ends were traded early on with the score 5 – 4 to Tulliallan after the fourth end. Thereafter Penicuik picked off 1s and 2s, as Angela narrowly missed some take-outs allowing Penicuik to build up to a final score of Penicuik 11 – 5 Tulliallan.

Both games were much tighter than the scorecards suggest and as always played in a very friendly manner. After retiring to a local restaurant for a very enjoyable meal, the teams made their weary way home. Penicuik will look forward to the return match next season.

Report by Dave Carr and Jean Noble