Author Archives: jeann1e25

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

Province Bonspiel 2023

Penicuik Curling Club fielded two teams for the Province Bonspiel held on Monday 30th January.

Craig Brown skipped his rink of Roger Scott, David Gillespie and Mike Mauchline. Unfortunately they were drawn against a strong Carrington rink, and lost by 11 shots to 5, i.e. – 6 shots.

The other rink of Dave Anderson (Skip), Jim Ramsay, Dave Carr and Reg Dunbar won their game against Merchiston by 15 shots to 3, i.e. +12 shots.

The overall score for Penicuik was therefore +6 shots with an average for the 2 teams of +3.

Carrington, with 3 teams entered, were declared Bonspiel Winners with an average score of +8.67 Barbarians, with 2 teams, were runners up with an average of +7, whilst Gogar Park CC, with 3 teams, finished third on average +6.67.

West Linton Challenge Match, 24th January 2023

It’s competition day and PANIC sets in!  Concerns of the strength of the West Linton rinks is not top of the list, our concern was…..Where Is The Trophy?

Penicuik retained the trophy last year but who had it in their possession.

It’s found and the game is on!  Rink 1 for PCC was Jim Ramsay, Craig Brown, Jim Cowper and Jean Cassie, while Rink 2 was skipped by Dave Carr and backed by Margaret Carr, Liz Anderson and Graham Cassie.

After the first three ends the scores are level across the board with rinks from both clubs having 2 points on the card.

In end 4 West Linton make a charge with team Ramsay losing 1 and a further 2 in end 5. Meanwhile Team Carr lose a 3 in the 4th but gain 1 back in the 5th.

This leaves Penicuik combined score at 5 while W Linton are up to 10! OOPS!

Unfortunately Team Carr could not get the better of Rink McDonald from W Linton and ended up their 8 end game with a score of 8 – 3 against them.  Ramsay & Co., started their comeback in the 6th with a 3 and a 2 in the 7th.  End 8 needed at least a 4 but W Linton took another 1 from Team Ramsay.  While this resulted in a win over W Linton Team Dykes the  final combined score resulted in West Linton claiming the Trophy 14 to 10.

Upstairs, we socialised with our opposition and Dave Carr presented the West Linton Challenge Trophy to Chris McDonald

Let’s hope that West Linton don’t mislay the trophy and allow us to win it back next year!

Happy faces all round after the West Linton Challenge Match

Report by Jim Ramsay

Mid Season Bonspiel

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.

Karen’s rink of Bonspiel Winners
The Bonspiel Booby Winners

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

Outdoor Curling at Herbertshaw Farm

The heavy rain at the New Year followed by the recent extreme cold led to ideal conditions for outdoor curling this week on a flooded and frozen field at Herbertshaw Farm, long held by the Brown family, near Penicuik. Craig quickly put the word out for any keen curlers to congregate, although his suggestion of shorts and teeshirt attire was swiftly declined.

The two Jims (Ramsay and Cowper) assisted in marking out the ice, and soon the cars started to arrive. To quote a favourite film – ” If you build it, they will come”.

Precision needed here
Jean Louise Graeme and Reg ready for action

The refrigeration unit held out for a second day and, with blue skies and lovely views the curlers enjoyed some great curling.

Competition was as usual quite fierce, with Jim R and David Gillespie winning 9-7 over Jim C and Roger in an 8 end thriller.

Great play guys.
Roger in action
Good stone
Don’t crack the ice Jim.
Historic Photo of Walter Brown, Jim Cowper and Tom Alexander from 2009

Unfortunately, the thaw has begun, so no more play this week. Many thanks to Craig and Jim Ramsay for organising, the Brown family for allowing access to their land, and to all who helped and played over the two days. A great experience.

Merchiston 1816 Match

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