We went into the last game of the season in 6th place (out of 8) against Bank of Scotland in 7th place, needing at least a peal to stay in Division 2.

We got off to a good start gaining 4 shots in the first end followed by a lucky steal of 1 shot in the second. We lost a single in the third then an unfortunate 4 in the fourth.  We rallied to take a single in the fifth followed by another in the sixth going into the last end 2 shots up. We kept our heads and stole 3 shots to come out winners by 10 shots to 5 thereby finishing the season mid-table on 7 points and retaining our position in Division 2.

The squad for the season was Murray Hope (Skip), Dave Anderson (Third) with John Jacobs, Iain Scott and Robert Beaton.

Dave Anderson

A Waldie Griffith inter-province tie between Midlothian and Borders was played at Murrayfield on Thursday (2 March) afternoon.  This competition features a series of one off matches between provinces throughout Scotland, with the Province having the best shots up return gaining the trophy.  On this occasion, Midlothian was represented by teams from DAFS, Gogar, Midcalder, and Penicuik.  The Penicuik team for the day was Andrew Lambie (Skip), Dave Anderson, Jim Ramsay, and Ken Hunter.

Penicuik played a team of ladies made up with players from several clubs from the Borders. Penicuik took a single at the first end, then lost a three in the second end; the deficit was reclaimed with a two at the third end.  A close parity was maintained thereafter, and the teams were level after 6 ends.  With last stone and a free house to draw to, our opponents opted to blank the seventh end and retain last stone advantage.  In the final end, Penicuik were lying one shot before the last stone; the opposing skip tried a chap & lie but failed to keep her shooter in the house, so the game ended all square.  It was a good afternoon of sport in the excellent company of our opponents.

Regrettably, this was as good as it got for Midlothian, the other three teams all lost to give Borders a victory by 8 shots (+2 aggregate); not enough for them to be contenders for the trophy.

Our forces mobilised on Sunday 5 February ready to take on our adversary of old, Merchiston, in the annual Team Points Match.  Elements of our famed ‘Old Guard’ were not able to take the field and provide the benefit of their long battle experience; and one of our front line units was on overseas duty in the Americas.  The formation for the evening was Keith Morris, John Jacobs, Dave Anderson, Ronnie Hope, Iain Scott, Reg Dunbar, Ken Hunter, and Jim Cowper.

Our initial assault (striking) was highly successful, dealing our opponents a heavy blow.  Our attack continued with a decisive gain at In-wicking.  At the slower pace of Drawing and Guarding, our troops again showed their mettle with steady advances.  A counter thrust in the next disciple (Chap and Lie) saw our opponents regain some ground; perhaps tactically more of our units should have used the out-turn.  Neither side were able to make much at the Wick and Curl In, the ice was negative on the direct out-turn approach, and Raising ended in a stalemate.  Merchiston showed the quality of their play extracting a strong gain at Chipping the Winner, but it was too little too late; Penicuik took the day with a total score of 112 to 97.

As usual this was a great evening, played in the warmest atmosphere of friendship, with all participants applauding every good shot no matter who had played it.  The top scorer for Penicuik was Dave Anderson on 19, followed by Ken Hunter (17), and Ronnie Hope (16).  The top scorer for Merchiston was Avril Anderson on 15, followed by Keith Anderson and David Cunningham (both on 14).

After a flying start against Musselburgh in the first round, the chickens came home to roost on Friday 3rd January, when they were shot out of the sky by a strong 37 Club rink.  Penicuik failed to take advantage of the very few opportunities gifted to them by slack opposition play, and were severely punished for it. The final score of 13 – 2 slightly flattered 37 Club, but in truth on the night Penicuik’s rink of John Jacobs, Keith Morris, Roger Scott and Ronnie Hope fell short of the standard required to match the quality of the opposition clubs now entered in the King George IV.  We were sent homewards to think again!

Ronnie Hope

The Province Bonspiel was contested throughout the day on Monday 30 January.  

Penicuik 1 v Edinburgh Ladies

Tom Alexander, Reg Dunbar, Dave Carr, and Jim Cowper took to the field in our first tie of the day at 10.00am.  An independent report indicated that the game was tightly contested with some good curling from both teams.  The final result was a 6-6 draw.

Penicuik 2 v Musselburgh

Ken Hunter, Andrew Lambie, Roger Scott, and Margaret Carr took on our second opponent of the day at 2.00pm.  Our team played well as individuals and as a unit, making life easy for the Skip.  An early lead of 5 shots after two ends got Penicuik off to a good start and we remained on the front foot throughout the remainder of the game to win 12-2.

Penicuik 3 v Edinburgh Rotary

Dave Anderson, Murray Hope, Iain Scott and John Jacobs met our third and final opponents of the day at 6.00pm.  The game ended as a peel.

Penicuik met Carrington in the quarter final round of the 2016-17 RCCC Rink Championship on Saturday afternoon.  The Carrington team of Trevor Dodds, Mike Dick, Lindsay Scotland, and Katherine Dick had beaten Stray Dogs in the previous round, whilst Penicuik had a bye.  The Penicuik team was Ken Hunter, Dave Anderson, Andrew Lambie, and Iain Scott.

In the first end, Carrington managed to edge a shot stone over behind a group of short stones with their last stone, leaving Penicuik with little chance.  In the second end Penicuik responded by taking a three.  A missed strike with the last stone in the third end gave Carrington the opportunity of a two which they took to level the game at three all.  Penicuik went on to take a single in the fourth end before conceding a two in the fifth end.  The sixth end proved pivotal, Penicuik worked a good final position in a complicated end to lie two, only to then tap a Carrington stone into shot position.  The game ended with a win (8-5) for Carrington.

Afterwards, players from both teams enjoyed a refreshment together upstairs in the bar.  The Carrington team, who had played very well, received best wishes for their match in the semi-final.

Penicuik CC first played Mechiston CC in 1816 and in honour of that occasion, last January, we played a commemorative match (Penicuik won).
As we all enjoyed the match it was decided to make it an annual event. So, on 13th January 2017, we met again, with Keith Anderson, David Cunningham, John Wood and Ross Angus representing Merchiston and Tom Alexander, Iain Scott, Dave Carr and Keith Morris representing Penicuik.
Penicuik got off to a good start with a two then a single. Merchiston came back with a two, but Penicuik went on to win the remaining 4 ends to win 8-2. The result was closer than it seems as on a number of ends the Penicuik winning shot only just beat Merchiston’s stone.
The game was followed by the usual post match drinks in good company.