Monthly Archives: February 2023

Penicuik New Stones Friendly

On Sunday afternoon, two teams from Penicuik turned out against 8 keen new curlers from New Stones and Beginners Groups for a friendly Bonspiel.

Some last minute changes to teams left David Gillespie skipping Colin, Alex and Luke whilst Jenny Wray, in her first game in a while skipped the team of Vic, Jean Cassie and Sheila. Kirsty led the other new curlers team of Derek, Alistair and Yvonne leaving Jean N. to do her best at skipping Graeme, Saho and Kate. It was no great surprise that Ian Keron was at the curling rink, and he very gallantly stepped onto the ice to provide some coaching assistance to the newer players on both sheets.

As agreed beforehand, teams swapped opposition after 3 ends to allow everyone to get to know each other and play continued. Although no-one was paying much attention to the scores, the newcomers led by their experienced skips were showing their mettle and definitely up for a bit of friendly competition. A number commented afterwards on their appreciation of Penicuik’s invitation and the chance to play in a match setting.

Hopefully, we have made some new friends and may see some of the new curlers on the ice for Penicuik in the near future. Thanks to all who played.

Report by Jean Noble

Land o’ Burns Return Match

After our game in November at Ayr, which Penicuik lost heavily, we played a return match at Murrayfield on Sunday 19th February.

This time Ian Robertson, who originally challenged us but was unable to play at Ayr, turned out for Land O’Burns. Jim Ramsay was unable to play this time but Trader Geoff Dawe took his place.
Dave Anderson’s team, with Liz Anderson, Geoff Dawe and Pam Ramsay played a steady game of one’s and twos to end up with a good 6-2 win.

Dave Carr’s team, with David Gillespie, Margaret Carr and Reg Dunbar had a tighter game. Several promising ends were turned round by excellent angled raises and take outs by Land O’Burns skip David Balmer. Penicuik rallied and it was 4-4 after 6 ends. But, Land O’Burns had hammer in the last end, and David B played an excellent draw to win the game 5-4.

So, it ended one game each but Penicuik were 8-6 up on ends and 10-7 on shots.
A partial revenge for our heavy defeat in Ayr.
The game was followed by soup and sandwiches upstairs with very good company.
The 2 matches were enjoyed by all who took part and it was agreed to try and have a rematch next season.

Report by Dave Carr

League Winners 2022-23

In an exciting end to the season, and with just the final matches left to play in both the Kettle and Thirds Competitions, the winners have now been decided.

Clear winners of the Kettle with 18 points and a game still in hand are Dave Anderson’s rink of himself, Kirsty McWilliam, Andy Cameron and Graeme Cassie. Dave was run very close by Craig Brown’s rink who finished in second place on 17 points.

Crucial matches were played last night in the Thirds Competition with Kirsty McWilliam’s rink looking favourite but playing Pam Ramsay, and Martin Hobb’s rink still in contention but needing a win against Liz Anderson. Very close games on both sheets resulted in a defeat for Martin and a win for Kirsty taking the points against Pam with her final stone of the match.

Many congratulations to Dave, Kirsty, Andy and Graeme in winning the Kettle League and to Kirsty, Jim Hume, David Ballantyne and Saho Arakawa as winners of the Thirds League.

Golden Girls Victorious

In the second Club Challenge of the season, on 22nd February, the ‘dream team’ of Margaret, Liz, Jean and Pam successfully retained the Challenge Crook after winning against a team of ‘young pretenders’ with Craig as Skip, supported by Kirsty, Karen and Stuart.

The first end was a tense affair with each side trying to gauge the speed and draw of the ice, but with Craig lying 3 shots and last stones to play, Margaret played a brilliant wick and curl in to win the end by 1. Liz drew to the button in the second, leaving her stone well hidden and unreachable by Craig’s rink in an end which finished with 12 stones in play. Ladies now +2.

Craig’s rink took the initiative in the third and were 3 up in a crowded house, before Margaret played a double stone tap back against her own rink’s well placed early stones to win again by 1. With huge swings at the start of the fourth end, play was rather one-sided with ever widening draws requested. Craig’s rink was left with a definite advantage before an uncharacteristic error in knocking out his own stones gave the surprised ladies a further 2 to lead 5-0. This was exciting stuff and the game was beginning to draw comment from adjoining rinks.

The curse of the fifth end rang true for the ladies, and with Craig’s team building a number of stones in the house, and the ladies’ only option to try to cut the score down, the challengers ended up winning by 4 stones. After consistent play by his leading players in the 6th end Craig took the win by 1, leaving the scores all square at 5 each.

Both teams settled down for the deciding end with renewed focus. Opening play resulted in an amazing series of draws right onto the centre line by both team’s players ever nearing the button. With only 2 final stones to be played, the holders were lying shot and with a wick and curl as the only option, Craig’s final stone was unsuccessful leaving the jubilant holders to shake hands. Final score 6 – 5 to the ladies.

As always, this challenge was played in the best of competitive spirits, with some friendly banter exchanged over drinks upstairs after the match.

Challenge Crook successfully defended.

Once safely esconced in their transport for the journey home, the ladies enjoyed their own ‘Del Boy and Rodney’ moment with shrieks of glee and laughter heard from the car. They were hardly going to be millionaires but who would now dare say that the ladies were one-hit wonders.

Report by Jean Noble

Knockout Competition Final

The home for another piece of Club silverware has now been decided!

Congratulations to Dave Carr and his rink of Dave Anderson, Jim Cowper and Vic Ramage , winners of this season’s Knockout Competition after defeating David Gillespie’s rink of Kirsty McWilliam, Jim Hume and Graeme Cassie in a well fought game.

Pate Trophy Competition

On Saturday 18th February, the Anderson and Scott families represented Penicuik to compete for the Pate Trophy, an annual competition between Midlothian and Border Provinces played alternatively at Murrayfield and Kelso curling rinks.

Dave Anderson, Iain Scott, Liz Anderson and Roger Scott played against a rink from Duns skipped by Colin Martin. Lying 4 shots against in the 1st end we managed to cut it to 2 shots. We found our way in the 2nd and 3rd ends scoring consecutive 3s but then conceded 1, gained 1 and conceded 1 in ends 4, 5 and 6. In the 7th we gained an impressive 3 shots and finished with 2 shots against the hammer so with an 8 shot advantage we, along with SIAE, DAFS and a President’s select, helped Midlothian to + 18 shots for part 1 of this competition.

Three more games are to be played to complete the fixture.

Report by Dave Anderson

Winners of BHF Bonspiel

Vic, Jim, Reg and David Gillespie ( Skip) represented Penicuik in an enjoyable BHF Bonspiel on Friday 10th February, playing against BMA Ladies.
The format was two ends of “quick curling” – both teams scoring points for stones in the house – followed by “normal” ends until the bell.
Penicuik did well in the first two ends, scoring in the mid-teens, before winning 9-3 over the remaining ends. The result is that Penicuik CC have the Lennie-Brown Trophy to look after again for the year as Winners of the BHF Bonspiel.
Congratulations!

Reg, David, Vic and Jim – Winners of Lennie-Brown Trophy


Report By David Gillespie

Merchiston Team Points

9th of February 2023 saw the annual team duel against Merchiston in the Team Points competition.

Teams drawn at random now waited for the bell with much anticipation and just a little bit of confusion as we had several first timers on both sides. Rules clarified, and with the sounding of the bell, play commenced!

‘Striking’ up first saw a very balanced opening (16 v 17). ‘Inwicking’ saw a slight lead to Penicuik (25 v 20)

‘Drawing’ next up was to prove an early decisive discipline with Penicuik charging ahead to a 25 point lead! (51 v 26).

The next four disciplines remained finely balanced between teams (+3 to Penicuik) with each successful shot being cheered and every near miss met with groans and words of ‘wisdom’ from the audience. In the final discipline ‘Chip the Winner’ Penicuik again took the opportunity to further extended their lead by 8.

With the ringing of the bell and the shaking of hands, Penicuik were announced clear winners 108 v 72.

Retiring up stairs, Jim Cowper regaled us with the minutes of the first Penicuik v Merchiston match from 1816, where Penicuik were also victorious. 

As the applause died down after Jim’s entertaining words, thanks were given from Penicuik President, Iain Scott, welcoming the many new players from both sides that had taken part and the response from Merchiston Team Captain Mike Smith, who thanked Penicuik for yet another lesson from which they were slow to learn from!

Relaxing after the match

Formalities over and drinks consumed , we agreed to do it again next year, Merchiston remaining ever hopefully of a return to winning form… We will see!

Top scorers – Penicuik

   Iain Scott – 22.    Craig Brown & Jean Noble – 16

Top scorers – Merchiston

   John Wood – 12. David Cunningham & Mike Harrington – 11

Report by Iain Scott

Knock-out Finalists

The Knock Out finalists have now been decided. Team Gillespie will play Team Carr on Saturday 18th February at 2.30pm.

Semi Finals took place on Sunday 5th February. With strong Skips and Thirds in both teams, it looked a reasonably even match in the first game between Dave and Margaret Carr. However, Dave’s Team played perfectly from Lead to Skip whilst, despite their best efforts, Margaret’s Team couldn’t break through. Final Score 10-1 to Dave C.

In the other Semi, David Gillespie’s rink took a 2 in the first end before Iain’s rink took a big lead with a 5 in the second. David gradually clawed back points but was still lying 5-7 down after the sixth end. In a tense seventh end, where both sides stones lay in the house, David drew his last to take another 2 and so level the score at 7-7. It was now down to the Skips to ‘draw the house’ and, with sweepers help, David’s stone finished on the outer ring whilst Iain’s came up short. Team Gillespie reach the final where they meet Team Carr. Good luck to both teams.

Report by Jean Noble

Club Singles 2023

Many congratulations to Craig Brown who was declared winner of the Club Singles Competition on Saturday afternoon.

The draw had been made well before the date, with some intriguing contests to look forward to. However, a late call-off on Saturday morning resulted in some frantic phone calls to try and get an eighth player to plug the gap, before Ian Keron very kindly agreed to play instead of Reg who was unwell on the day.

First on the ice was the match between Jean and David Ballantyne , and on the other sheet Kirsty playing against Liz. After 4 ends of 4 stones, Jean and Liz progressed to the High Road semi final, with David and Kirsty going into the Low Road.

Next up, in the ‘battle of the giants’ , Craig won against Dave A who struggled a bit to find his weight whilst Iain Scott got his tactics right to come out on top against Ian Keron.

In the Low Road Semi Finals, Kirsty went on to win 7-2 against David B. whilst Ian Keron won 3-1 against Dave A. In a close game of take-outs and draws, Jean won 4-2 in the first High Road Semi against Liz, whilst Craig was triumphant winning 5-0 against Iain Scott in the other. Both finals were now decided.

6 ends of 4 stones each this time, and it is fair to say that Kirsty put up a very good show against Ian K. who had the tactical advantage. After some hard fought ends, Ian took the Low Road Winner spot by 7 stones to 3.

Jean at least managed a blank end at the first and did take 1 point from Craig, but ran out of steam towards the end and, despite some dexterous hand changes between cue and brush to sweep her stones, she was eventually overwhelmed by Craig who played some brilliant double take outs to win 5-1.

A big thank you is due to all who took part, as well as those stayed to cheer on the players and to Dave Anderson for sponsoring the event. (More details of the afternoons results can be seen in the Competitions Page).

Well done Craig – Singles Champion 2022-23.

Report by Jean Noble