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

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

The first available ice of season 22/23 came our way on 15^th December, 2022 and the ‘CALL’ went out to Penicuik Curling members to gather and compete for The Outdoor Medal. The ice was at least 4 inches thick with a good pebble and ready for an 11am start.

The Rinks were chosen by random draw and resulted in Team A Skipped by Craig Brown and aided by Reg Dunbar, Martin Hobbs and Graeme Cassie, this rink awarded Red Ribbons to distinguish their stones. Team B were to be identified by Blue ribbons attached to their stones. Members of ‘B’ were Jim Ramsay, Dave Carr, Geoff Dawe, Kirsty McWilliam and Ian Neil. (This did not mean that Team B had 10 stones compared to Team A’s 8). One member of the Blue rink would sit out at each end.

Eight Ends would decide a winner.  Ramsay & Co., got off to a positive start with a 1 in the first then a 2 in the second.  By the start of End 3 everyone was settling into the very different delivery of stones required outside compared to indoor.  Team Brown eventually got on the board by scoring with a single stone.  Blue were having none of the ‘A’ recovery and gained another 2 in the 4^th end.  As we often find, a game of Curling changes at the 5^th end and that is exactly what happened. In the 5^th Brown came back with a 1.  Another 1 in the 6^th and a big 3 in the 7^th left the score at A = 6  B = 5.  Perhaps the recovery of Team Brown was down to their secret (and perhaps use of illegal equipment).  Mr Cassie had launched a Drone which obviously might have given Skip Craig a different view of things.  End Eight and Team B  are sitting with a 1 for most of the End and it was starting to look as if an extra end was on the cards.  Team A had tried several times to remove the Blue stone without success. Craigs first attempt at Take Out went wide of the mark. Jim’s initial thought was to guard the counting stone but that stone also went wide but it did give the Blues a second counting stone.  If Craig could take a Blue out and get a roll, the game could be won. A powerful delivery by Craig just failed to take out either of the Blues which resulted in the final stone not having to be played (just in case of error).  The final score with 4 ends to each team comes out as A = 6 and B = 7.

A shake of hands but no Rusty Nail to be found, but thanks to Geoff for the Shortbread!

Report by Jim Ramsay

Drone footage is available at the following Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/fdl2S9dYtN4kTqBtSettr10wQqBZWvL7n7NhUTmGUR9

On 29th November, an evening of high drama, the first Club Challenge of the season saw the Crook Trophy firmly wrested from the grasp of the current holders by a scratch team of ladies who were psyched up and ready for the fray. Since the competition’s inception, this was the first time that a straight win had been achieved by the challengers and what a win it was.

In Keith’s absence and with David Gillespie unavailable, Martin skipped his rink of Roger, Jim Cowper and Elaine Lambie whilst Margaret Carr was ably supported by Liz Anderson, Jean Noble and Pam Ramsay.

The ladies got off to a strong start, taking a 3 in the first end and leaving the opposition slightly bemused. However, the second end proved more difficult for the ladies with lead and second stones hanging out on the faster downward ice, allowing Martin’s team to build up a group of 6 stones in the house, before Margaret played a brilliant draw with her last stone to snatch the point. Score 4-0.

It was nip and tuck in the third end, with draws and take outs played by both sides, with Martin taking a 1 to get on the board.

The ladies were in the ascendancy again in the fourth end, with strong lead stones from Pam, and Jean very proud of an very impressive wick and curl in from an outlying opposition stone. Liz drew the house with both her stones leaving Margaret to block the only way in, thus adding another 3 to the challenger’s score.

A further 1 in the fifth end left the ladies sitting 8 -1 up, by this time drawing the attention of spectators in the gallery.

End 6 began with Pam playing a great stone into the centre ring, but with the ice playing slower, both teams follow up stones were left short creating a protective barrier and forcing play on the other side. Despite the best efforts of the holders, the ladies held out with Margaret once again drawing to win another stone. With Martin and his team shaking hands to concede after 6 ends, the final score was 10 -1 to the ladies.  

Despite accusations of ‘witchcraft’ and ‘abuse of the elderly’, the match was played in the friendliest of terms, with the score not really reflecting the closeness of play. Afterwards, both teams retired upstairs to enjoy a coffee and chat, and to commiserate with Jim Cowper who was still in shock.

No doubt rinks are being formed  as we speak to raise the next challenge to be played in late February, but for now congratulations to the Margaret, Liz, Pam and Jean – the new Club Challenge Holders.

Report by Jean Noble