The Indoor Grand Match is an event which was inspired by the traditional Grand Matches which in the past took place on frozen lochs with the last Outdoor Grand Match taking place in 1979 at the Lake of Menteith. Penicuik Curling Club has the honour of hosting the inaugural Grand Match which took place at the High Pond in Penicuik Estate in 1847.
The event is a competition between the North of Scotland and the South of Scotland (with an imaginary line drawn between the river forth and the river Clyde). It started in 2000 and usually takes place every 5 years but had to be cancelled in 2020 due to Covid. This year’s Competition brought together 1560 Curlers from 281 clubs competing in 390 teams. It stands as one of the largest single day participation sporting events in the country.
For the Penicuik members fortunate enough to be playing in such a special event it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Curlers both on and off the ice. Penicuik 2 travelled to Kinross to play against Kinross Ladies 1. The Team was Skipped by David Gillespie, Margaret Carr 3, David Carr 2 and Alex Moir Lead.
We received a very warm welcome from the Kinross Club and after the customary coffee and bacon roll we were piped on to the ice to start play at 10a.m. Play started well with a 2 at the first end and continued to score at each end leading 6-0 at end 4 before pausing for a traditional dram. Back on the ice we continued to score at each end with Kinross Ladies taking a 1 at the final end to make the final score Penicuik 8 Kinross 1.
After play we retired upstairs and after raising a glass to our opponents enjoyed a meal in good company. All in all a day we will all remember.
Penicuik 1 will also remember the game at Curl Aberdeen against our Northern opponents from Bearsden Skiing Club, Glasgow. The score was not as impressive as team 2 but was respectable. Team 1 arrived in good time to enjoy an excellent lunch with our opposition.
The Aberdeen Ice proved tricky for both teams in the opening ends. The ice was much heavier than our usual Murrayfield speeds. The first end was a case of whoever was in the house won the end. That was Bearsden with a 3. Penicuik got on the board in end 2 with a 2. The 3rd and 4th end did not go Penicuik’s way where a 3 and 4 were given to the opposition. As often happens after Broom Stacking (5th End) the game changed. Penicuik’s 4 (Iain Scott, Stuart Blackwood, Graeme Cassie and Jim Ramsay) took control of the game by winning all 4 Ends but unfortunately were left with 2 short for a Peel. Final score Bearsden 10 (3 Ends), Penicuik 8 (5 Ends).
After game drinks and a drive home to discuss what should have been.
Report by Margaret Carr and Jim Ramsay
Penicuik Curling Club 