Monthly Archives: March 2025

CLOSING BONSPIEL Season 24/25

Alongside elder statesman Jim Cowper, slightly less-elder statesman Roger Scott, newest member Mick Kampff’s wife Sharron, and President David’s wife Barbara we watched the closing bonspiel unfold.
From the vantage point of the ‘rogues’ gallery (I wish I’d been playing) it was very satisfying to see all four ice sheets fully subscribed with everyone seemingly enjoying the final event of our curling calendar.
Following a predetermined rotation, each rink played against each other rink with the aim of amassing the highest shots up total over seven ends of curling.
Observing four sheets of curling all at once is no easy task but between us we saw some
excellent draws to win ends, some well executed hits and rolls to take shot, some impressive raises to turn-over ends and some accomplished guarding to protect well-constructed ends.
Good shots were observed from a full spectrum of players from very recent recruits to this fantastic game, to our more established Club members
At the final bell everyone adjourned to the Clubroom for well earned refreshments while the scorecards were being scrutinised. Before we sat down to soup and sandwiches, the prizegiving took place with team Gillespie including David, Jean Noble, Paul Clapperton and Mick Kampff taking the booby prize (The Little Mermaid) with a score of -6 shots.

Then, in ascending order, team D Carr -5, team Dunbar -3, team Baptie -3, team Ramsay -1, team M Carr +3, runner-up team Scott on +4 shots, but the outright winner on +11 shots was team Brown comprising Craig, Martin Hobbs, Alex Moir (part of each winning bonspiel rink this season) and Lorna Lettice (part of last year’s winning closing bonspiel rink).

Congratulations to Craig’s rink who were presented with their medals and prizes by President David.
Grateful thanks are due to Jean Lennie who very kindly sponsors this event.

Dave Anderson

A BUSY DAY AT THE OFFICE

Saturday 15th March, 25 was indeed a busy ice day for some of our members. On Sheet 5 Penicuik were hosts to Beechnut Curling Club from Irvine in a District Medal while next door on Sheet 6 was the Ramsay/Baptie Club Challenge game.

Penicuik represented by Margaret Carr, Liz Anderson, Pam Ramsay and David Carr met with “Beechnuts” (from Hamilton Curling Rink) for the District Medal Match on Saturday 15th March 2025.

The Teams met for lunch before playing and it was evident that “Beechnuts” had done their research having looked at the Penicuik Curling Club Website. They were very impressed by the number of matches the club played and the long history of the club. They were keen to hear more about both the history of the club and our outdoor ice. They were also interested in the “Challenge Match” about to be played on the adjacent sheet and perhaps introducing this to their own club’s schedule.

Play started at 12.45pm with everyone now focussing on the Match. After losing a shot on the first end Penicuik came back strongly to lead 3-1 helped by 2 lovely draws from Pam. Unfortunately by end 3 the score was all square. Another shot on end 4 meant Penicuik were once again in the lead.

The following 2 ends did not go Penicuik’s way, however, with the “Beechnuts” taking another 2 shots to win the match 5-3.

If only Margaret had got that guard on or had delivered the last stone more quickly to get another end in!

Afterwards everyone retired upstairs to enjoy refreshments and a pleasant chat.

Next door on sheet 6 Kyle Baptie, Kirsty McWilliam, Reg Dunbar and Paul Clapperton had laid down a challenge to take The Club Challenge Crook from the 2 time holders. A close game all the way through Jim Ramsay, Alan McDonald, Stuart Blackwood and Alex Moir were able to retain the trophy and are now ready for the next challenge.

PAIRS 2024/25

Sunday 9th March found new homes for The High and Low Road Trophies. Eight teams were entered but the final winners were Kirsty McWilliam and Iain Matheson of The High Road. The Low Road award goes to President David Gillespie and Jan Stuart. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all members who entered.

KNOCKOUT 24/25 REPORT

Knockout Final

Team Carr: M. Carr, A. Moir, G. Cassie, S . Arakawa met with 

Team Anderson: K. Baptie, M. Hobbs, S. Blackwood, J. Hume on Thursday 27th February for the Final of the Knockout. 

The match started well for Team Carr gaining a shot at the first end. Team Anderson responded well with 3 shots over the next 2 ends. On end 4 Team Carr managed to get a good guard in place and came away with 2 shots to level the score. Another shot in the 5th end put Team Carr in the lead. Team Anderson came back strongly over the next 3 ends, however,  with some excellent draws and take outs and Team Carr were unable to respond. 

Well done to Team Anderson with a final score of 9-4.  

David Anderson who had come along to support his team congratulated both teams saying it had been a very enjoyable game to watch.

Report by Margaret Carr

2nd POINTS 24/25

The 2nd Points had a disappointing number of only 7 entrants. On the positive side the members in attendance did manage 9 out of the 10 disciplines played in Points. Nicki Cassie and dad Graeme took part in their own points battle and ended by Graeme just creeping a win in the last discipline. Also taking part were Reg Dunbar, Stuart Blackwood, President David, Secretary Jim and winner on the day Craig Brown with a score of 36 Points.