The Merchiston Team Points competition was held on 23rd February 2025.

Our team of Craig Brown, Iain Scott, Ian Matheson, Graeme Cassie, Reg Dunbar, Stuart Blackwood, Alan McDonald, and President David Gillespie enjoyed a very sociable game against Merchiston. Playing each discipline in just one direction allowed us to complete all the disciplines, which some of us had not previously done. 

The results were very close – the count was 114 to Penicuik and 113 to Merchiston – but one of the Penicuik team realised that his score was incorrect, and that he had been given a point in error – so we agreed that the result should be a draw, and that Merchiston should retain the trophy.

However – the following day – Iain recounted the results and identified a further arithmetical error, which would give Penicuik two more points – and happily for us Merchiston also spotted the error, and will return the trophy to us as winners. 

Overall best individual score was from Iain Scott on 24, closely followed by Craig Brown.

Played 5th January, 2025

The first game of the New Year might have been The Outdoor Medal but it was not to be and The Club Challenge took the place. Keith Morris put together a team of Martin Hobbs, Jean Noble and Norrie McLean to challenge Team Ramsay with Stuart Blackwood, Alan McDonald and Alex Moir who were the holders of the Crook.

It took Seven hard fought ends to determine a result in the first challenge of the season. Team Ramsay won the toss and managed a single point after a difficult first end. The Ice was keen and there appeared to be a huge last minute draw with most stones. However, not all stones performed to the same lines and this continued through the whole game. We later found that the stones had been given a ‘rub down’ over the Christmas break. End 2 went to Morris and 3 to Ramsay and then 4 to Morris with each scoring only 1 point in each. End 5 saw another 1 added to Team Ramsay. It was now Morris 2 and Ramsay 3. It appeared to be that everyone would take shots each winning the end where they had the hammer. In end 6 things looked a bit different with Morris lying with 4 with 1 stone left by each Skip. Jim Ramsay had tried to draw to the Shot stone with his first stone but was caught out by the sometimes massive draw. Keith had similar bad luck to guard the gap. The line in had been close with the first stone played, so it made sense to play the same again but be more ready for the draw. This time however, Team Ramsay’s stone did not draw as expected but did get a chance rub off one of their front stones. Stuart at Third saw the possible result and called Alex and Alan to sweep the stone into Shot. Unfortunately the stone was wide open for Keith to take with his last stone. Just like the opposition last stone, it didn’t draw and sailed passed the Blue counter. A slight advantage was now with Team Ramsay as the card read Morris 2 and Ramsay 4. End 7 was to be the final end. It was one of those ends that was played out at the back of the house (never good). Ramsay was determined to hold the Morris team to a maximum of 1. All yellow stones were put out of shot by excellent play by team members. By the last stone there was now a bank of Blue stones to come to for Keith who did take advantage and score a 1. Final Score Morris 3 and Ramsay 4. Team Ramsay retain The Crook until the next Challenge comes along. At this time it is a rink led by Kyle Baptie scheduled for 15th March but someone else may challenge before then. Well done to all players on the night with a special mention to Alex Moir who’s shoes came to pieces. Don’t worry! A new pair has been purchased for the next challenge. We did not go upstairs to relive the game because there was an anxiety to get home due to weather conditions.

Report by Jim Ramsay (trying to be non biased)

The Mid Bonspiel, played for the Marie Vinestock Trophy, is skipped by some of the ladies in our Club. The skips for this year were Saho Arakawa, Karen Black, Louise Clapperton, Jean Cassie, Jenny Wray and Jean Noble.

We were pleased that our sponsor for the event Jim Cowper was able to attend and enjoyed watching the games unfold. Barbara kept him company. 

After 7 competitive ends, we had clear winners and losers. As we had booked to eat at the Hampton Hotel, all gathered upstairs for the prize giving. 

The Boobie Trophy went to Skip Jean Noble and her team of Ian Mathieson, Alister McDonald and Graeme Cassie with a score of -8.

The clear winning team by 9 shots, on +10, was skipped by Louise Clapperton with Alex Moir, Jarrad Manesh and Margaret Carr

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They started strongly amassing 14 shots to 0 after 5 ends – beating each of the other teams. Highlight of their games was wonderful shot played by Louise to raise a wide lying stone for an angled take out which drew applause from all who witnessed it!

Thanks to Geoff for the Report and Photographs

10 of our members played in the first Points of the season on 30th November. If there were medals on offer the Bronze would go to Craig Brown while Silver would be worn by President David. The Gold Medal winner, scoring 9 points above Silver was Iain Matheson who despite missing a score in the Wick & Curl in (as many did) totaled 35 Points.

Congratulations to Iain and all those that took part.

Please consider coming along to our next Points on 16th February, 2025.

On Wednesday 13th November 2024 Team Scott (I Scott, G Cassie, L Clapperton and 
N McLean) met with Team Carr ( M Carr, 
I Matheson, M Hobbs and H Clarke) for the Final of the Hurley Competition. 
It should be noted that L Clapperton with considerable dedication had interrupted her holiday to play. 
The 1st end proved to be very challenging with only one stone in the house after 9 stones had been played due to very slow ice and a huge draw. Team Carr managed to get another stone in the house to take 2. 
In the following 2 ends Team Scott played well to pull back to 2 all. 
The 4th end proved to be crucial with Team Scott lying 4 stones just behind the T line but unguarded when slightly fortuitously Team Carr managed to get a rub off a wide stone and roll in to take shot. Despite valiant efforts Iain S was unable to remove it. 
Team Carr then got their weight well making it difficult for Team Scott to respond and took the final 4 ends with a winning score of 10-2. 
Afterwards both teams retired upstairs for refreshments and pleasant conversation 

Our 24/25 Season moves on with our first KETTLE GAMES and wins for Margaret Carr and Kyle Baptie on Tuesday 12th November. It’s a long way through to March when our main competition completes.

The final of The Hurley between Margaret Carr’s Rink and Iain Scott’s team takes place on Wednesday 13th at 6pm.

…….Wednesday 13th November……and Margaret Carr is in the news!

Team Scott gave way to Team Carr in tonight’s Hurley Final.

Margaret who was assisted by Iain Matheson at Third and sub Martin Hobbs at Second and Lead Hannah Clarke secured 5 Ends and 10 Points. Iain Scott, Graeme Cassie, Louise Clapperton and sub Norrie McLean were mentioned on the scorecard with 2 Ends and 2 Points.

Congratulations to Margaret & Co.

37 CLUB TROPHY Challenge 24/25

On Sunday 20^th of November 16 Curlers gathered to compete in this annual event.

Eight of our friends from 37 Club were led by Paul Davis and Stuart Williamson.  Paul would lead the challenge against Penicuik’s Team Anderson while Stuart Williamson faced Team Ramsay.

TEAM ANDERSON was 3^rd Ian Robertson, 2^nd Dave Carr, Lead President David Gillespie.

TEAM RAMSAY was 3^rd Craig Brown, 2^nd Stuart Blackwood, Lead Kirsty McWilliam.

After the disappointment of winning on Points but losing on Ends in last years clash, Penicuik were focused on securing the trophy.

The first ends did not go well for Penicuik’s Blue stones when a loss of 2 for Ramsay and a loss of 1 for Anderson.  Ends 2 & 3 gave hope to the Penicuik sides when the Ramsay Rink gained 3 Points plus the important 2 Ends.  The Anderson side also gained 2Ends but ended with 5 Points.  After 3 Ends 37 =3Pts – 2 Ends v Pen =8 Pts-4 Ends.

As expected the ’37 Boys’ came back in end 4 with both teams taking the End.

Pressure was starting to build especially when our opposition gained 3 Ends against our 1 End.  With the 6^thEnd finished, the scoreline looked good for Davis and Williamson as they had 7 Ends against our 5 Ends.  They were also up by 2 Points.

All 16 players were scrutinising play on both sheets throughout the game but going into what would be the final End concentration was amplified.

Thankfully, Team Anderson finished their challenge with a win of 3 Points. The scorecard now read 37 Club 7 Ends while Penicuik only had 6.   This left the final scoreline in the hands of Team Ramsay.  After giving up a 2 in the 6^th End they had what should be the benefit of last stone.  Both opponents swapped places with winning stones but when it got to the Skip Stones Williamson drew to Craig’s scoring stone in the back of the house. The front of the house was open, however there had been a huge draw throughout the game which put extra pressure on the final shots.  Penicuik was able to draw on top of that stone but the 37 Skip replied with an accurate draw to sit just to the side of the Button but with 75% of the stone behind the Tee Line.  It was all down to the final stone to secure a Peel in Ends.  Deep breath and the stone was delivered and expertly tended by Kirsty McWillaim and Stuart Blackwood all the way down to sit on the side of the 37 Stone to bite the Button.

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Phew! The Williamson/Ramsay score sat at 5 Points each but Team Ramsay with 4 Ends against 3. Davis/Anderson ended in a win of 4 Ends to 3 for Davis however the Anderson Team managed to gain a win on Points with a 8-6 win.

It was obvious that both sides were unsure about the final score as the scorecards were reviewed several times.  

The Trophy was presented to Penicuik by Mike Williamson.

FINAL SCORE                  

37 CLUB              7 ENDS    11 POINTS PENICUIK 7 ENDS 13 POINTS            

The new season’s curling started for us on the 6th October with our Opening Bonspiel – 32 players including 3 new members, 8 teams on the ice, a bit of reminding ourselves how to play, and a lot of fun. 

We were joined for our post-bonspiel meal by some more playing and social members, and by our Patron, Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye Clerk. The new caterers had a number of teething troubles, which we hope will resolve quickly. 

Sir Robert kindly presented the trophies; Craig Brown and his team Reg Dunbar, Paul Clapperton and Debbie Belcher received the lovely Little Mermaid booby prize; while President David and his team Alex Moir, Neil Lackie and David Ballantyne carried off the winner’s trophy.

A good start to the new curling year. 

by Modest President David