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

Many congratulations to Karen Black and her rink of Dave Carr, Jean Cassie and Neil Lackie for winning the Marie Vinestock Trophy on Sunday 15th January, with a final score of +5

As is tradition, the Mid Season Bonspiel was skipped by the ladies, with some having their first experience of calling the shots. Geoff had balanced the teams as best he could but the outcome certainly threw up some surprises, with Margaret Carr’s rink of Geoff, Jim Hume and Alicia Neil looking very strong on paper, but ending up supporting the other rinks after 7 ends had been played. Final scores as follows:

Karen, Dave, Jean Cassie and Neil win on +5, Liz, David Ballantyne, Paul and Roger equal runners up with Linda, Reg, Nicki and Ian on +3 .

Jean’s 5 player rink of David Gillespie, Louise, Vic and Jarrad, welcomed as a new curler, finished even with net 0, whilst Saho, Dave Anderson, Graeme and Iain scored -1, and Margaret, Geoff, Jim and Alicia were in line for the Bonspiel Booby with a score of -10.

After the presentation of the Trophy and medals to Karen and her winning team on the balcony, the majority of players and partners congregated at Cibo’s restaurant for a welcome meal, drinks and chat before Jim Cowper, assisted by Craig, presented the remaining prizes to the winners and the also rans. The Bonspiel Booby has a new home.

Many thanks to Craig and Geoff for organising the event, the meal afterwards and the prizes. Also to Jim for his generous sponsorship. After missing a few years, it was great to see this enjoyable Mid Season Bonspiel back on the fixture list, and great to be able to welcome new players to our Club.

More photos are available in the Gallery.

Report by Jean Noble

The 1816 -17 season is noted in Penicuik Curling Club’s history as the first season that the newly formed Club involved itself in challenge matches against other local curling clubs at that time, amongst them Merchiston Curling Club. The 2022-23 season once again saw opposing teams taking to the ice in this long established club fixture, so named to commemorate the first year it was played.

Penicuik, skipped by Iain Scott, and supported by Andy Cameron, Liz Anderson and Roger Scott were up against an equally strong Merchiston Team of Jim Cannon, Mike Harrington, Irene Allan and Mike Smith.

The home team took the first end by 1 stone, with Merchiston immediately retaliating with a 3 in the second. Penicuik took a 2 in both of the next two ends, before Merchiston responded with another 3 in the fifth to lead 6-5. A further two hard fought ends followed in what was a very close match overall.

Final Result. Penicuik 8 – 7 Merchiston.

Report by Jean Noble

Eleven curlers took part in the Intermediate Points Competition on Saturday 14th January including two of the Club’s newest members Graeme and Nicki Cassie, understandably nervous, but always willing to try a different curling experience.

Craig started play off, scoring the maximum in the ‘Striking’ discipline along with Jim Cowper still showing the youngsters how to do it even at his tender years. The second discipline ‘Inwicking’ proved difficult for most and relatively few points were picked up here. However, moving on, it soon became apparent that the competition was keen and at the halfway stage after ‘Guarding’ Dave Anderson, on 18 points, was only 1 ahead of Jim on 17 with Craig, Norrie and Kirsty in close contention on 16.

‘Chap and Lie’ and ‘Wick and Curl In’ saw the lead change again with 1 point separating Kirsty and Dave and, with both scoring 7s in ‘Raising’, Kirsty was still ahead with enough time left for one last discipline. By this time a separate competition was developing between Graeme and daughter Nicki who was well into her stride. Unfortunately Jim’s star had faded with 3 blank ends, despite trying to fight off the cold with hot chocolate from the cafe upstairs.

‘Chipping the Winner’ proved to be the deciding discipline, with Iain scoring 7 in a late rally to equal Craig’s score of 28, Kirsty faltering to finish runner up on 32, and Dave taking 6 points to win outright on 35.

Overall a very close contest with Craig and Kirsty scoring in all eight disciplines played. Final scores shown below. Many thanks to all who took part.

Report by Jean Noble

Resplendent in Christmas jumpers, Santa hats and antlers, 13 curlers gathered on Saturday 17th December for a mini-bonspiel. Four teams were drawn with the honour of skipping the rinks at the start going to some of the newer Club members, viz,Graeme Cassie, Jean Cassie, Nicki Cassie and Paul Clapperton. Six ends wereplayed with players rotating positions every two ends.

The team of Graeme Cassie, Kirsty McWilliam and Saho Arakawa managed to win 5 of their six ends resulting in a positive score of +6. They were rewarded with a splendid prize of chocolate oranges.

At the other end of the scale, Nicki’s team of her, Stuart Blackwood and Alister McDonald did not win a single end and had a net score of minus 9. But at least they got a bag of Celebrations as a booby prize, which they generously shared with the eleven curlers who managed to stay for refreshments after the fun.

All in all a relaxed and enjoyable morning’s curling.

Report by Alister McDonald