The traditional challenge match against West Linton took place on the evening of Thursday 3rd February and it was great to meet up with old friends again after missing the event last season.

Penicuik’s first rink of Dave Carr, Roger Scott, Craig Brown and Margaret Carr were up against worthy opponents skipped by Chris McDonald, whilst Jim Ramsay lead his team of Liz Anderson, Jean Noble and Ronnie Hope against another strong rink skipped by John Dykes.

Competition was fierce, and after three ends both games were level at 5-5, and 2-2 respectively. Play continued to ebb and flow with some big end scores in Dave’s game, and the score once again level at 5-5 in Jim’s match with the last end left to play. The outcome was far from certain but Penicuik came out eventual winners with final scores of 9-7 for Dave’s rink and 7-5 for Jim’s.

As always, both matches were played in the best spirit of friendly rivalry, and after retiring to the club rooms for a drink and chat, Chris presented the West Linton Challenge Trophy to Dave who graciously accepted it on behalf of all the Penicuik players. Jean thanked Mairi McDonald, Secretary, and the West Linton players for their kind invitation and said how much we had enjoyed the game and would look forward to playing again next season.

Report by Jean Noble

On Friday 14^th January, Penicuik had another good friendly game against Merchiston to commemorate the first 1816 match.

The home team of Keith Morris, Iain Scott (President), Roger Scott & Liz Anderson were up against Jim Cannon, John Jacobs, Jon Wood & Mike Smith of Merchiston.

The game was played following ECC’s Covid regulations with only one sweeper allowed alternating between shots. This suited Roger as he has already played earlier in the day. There was some confusion regarding sweeping opposition stones behind the T line but this was amicably resolved.

Both teams were on form with some fine shots being played, however Penicuik triumphed at the end of the night with a score of 6-3. It must have been a game with a lot of discussion & deep concentration as we only managed to achieve 6 ends.

With the first day of the bar opening after the lifting of regulations, everyone retired upstairs for a refreshment & chat. Jim, the Merchiston skip, thanked Penicuik for the game and spoke about some of the history behind the competition. He also paid tribute to Walter Brown and his curling achievements at all levels of the game.

Penicuik thanked Merchiston for an enjoyable match and mentioned that they look forward to playing against them in the upcoming Team Points.

Report by Keith Morris

On a clear spring morning on 4^th March, two carloads of Penicuik lady curlers with a guest from West Linton made their way through to Greenacres for a Social game against Duntocher Ladies. The views from the Curling Rink across Glasgow to the snow-clad Lomond Hills made the journey well worthwhile, and there was even time for a cup of hot soup before the serious business of curling started. Penicuik were joined for the day by their final team member Jane Hunter, an ex Penicuik player in her 81^st years and now with Duntocher Ladies as her home club.

The format was that the two Duntocher rinks would play 4 ends each against their first Penicuik opposition then swap over to play another 4 ends against the other rink, so that everyone became acquainted.

Margaret Carr’s rink of Christine Hope Janette Lambie and Jean Noble were all square at 1 stone each after two ends before Duntocher took a 3 in the third, then Penicuik finished the first half with another single ending up 4-2 down. Liz Anderson’s rink of Pam Ramsay, Anne Lambie and Jane Hunter had a tougher starting match ending up 5-0 down after 4 ends.

However, both Penicuik rinks rallied against the different opposition in the second half with Margaret’s team reading the ice well and sweeping their stones into the head. They took 4 stones in the first, then a 3 then a 2  before conceding a single at the last end, finishing the day on a win 11-5. Liz’s team conceded another single in the fifth end against the second team then, to Pam and Liz’s great excitement, rallied to take a 3 then another two singles ending up losing narrowly by 5-6.

Time for refreshments after the curling. Jean missing from photo.

Curling over, we retired to the Club room for some chit-chat over tea/coffee and cream scones and the presentation of cream eggs for our win.  Liz then thanked President Jean Leach, Beverly, Jane and the other players from Duntocher Ladies  for their hospitality before we left for the long journey home. Overall this had been a very enjoyable days curling against some very friendly opposition and we will look forward to welcoming them  to Murrayfield next season for the return match.

Cream scones and chat after the match.

Report by Jean Noble

DAFS Social Game 7^th February 2020

Jim Cowper, Dave Carr, Keith Morris and skip Dave Anderson stepped up for this social game against a DAFS rink of Jill Gillard, Margaret Miller, Alistair Henry and skip David Lindsay.

With last stone advantage DAFS took a single in the first end with Penicuik replying with two shots in the second. DAFS again scored a single in the third with Penicuik drawing their last stone to gain a further two shots in the fourth. Looking good for a steal in the fifth following a well judged hit and roll by Keith, Alistair replied with an unassailable draw to the four-foot resulting in another single for DAFS. They then went on to steal a single in the sixth meaning that we went to the last end peels where, following two excellent lead stones from octogenarian Jim,  we gained the advantage coming out overall winners by 9 shots to 4.

There was some very good curling from both rinks throughout a very close game and we thank DAFS Curling Club for the invitation to play in this very enjoyable encounter.

Report from Dave Anderson

The annual Team Points match against Merchiston Curling Club took place on Sunday 2^nd February with Penicuik represented by Dave Anderson, Dave Carr, David Gillespie, Ronnie Hope, Ken Hunter, Alex Moir, Keith Morris and Iain Scott.

Penicuik got off to a good start by gaining 19 points and a 9 point advantage in the first discipline, but Merchiston rallied and by the third discipline the gap was reduced to 2 points. The stalwarts of Penicuik then focused on the task and the gap was increased at every further discipline except the penultimate one with the final result over eight disciplines being a win for Penicuik with a score of 105 – 85.

Iain accepts trophy from Archie

As in our Club Points the scores were lower than usual.

Top scorers on the night for Penicuik were Alex Moir (18), Dave Anderson (17) and Keith Morris (16) and for Merchiston, John Jacobs (16), Ruth Addinal (14), and Jim Cannon (13).

Following another excellent night of competition and fellowship we adjourned to the bar for well-earned refreshments courtesy of our Honorary President Jim Cowper, sporting his 50 year medal, who having overseen the competition gave us his frank assessment of the evening’s proceedings.

Socialising after the match

Many thanks to all those who took part and especially to Jim who has taken over the Hamish Tait mantle.

Results by Discipline

Report by Dave Anderson

A potted history of Penicuik Curling Club’s tradition of holding Social games including the match report on the most recent friendlies against Balfron and Kinross Clubs.

Report from Ronnie Hope

On 9th January at 6.00pm Penicuik played Merchiston in the Merchiston 1816 competition.

I have been trying to erase the game from my memory but, unfortunately, have been asked to provide a report on the game!!

The Penicuik Team (to their shame) was Keith Morris (skip), Dave Anderson, Dave Carr and Jim Hume, with Keith Anderson, John Jacobs (Turncoat!!), John Wood and David Miller playing for Merchiston.

Merchiston started with a SIX, followed by a two. For the next four ends, Penicuik hung on and prevented the difference getting any worse. So, 11-3 after 6 ends. At the 7th end, Merchiston were lying 4, with Keith to play last stone. For the first time in the game, a Penicuik player played a good shot, with a double take out and roll to just take shot.

Final score 11-4, which flattered Penicuik.  Congratulations to Merchiston who all played very well.

I hope the above is correct but, fortunately, the score card has been lost and trying to remember the details has been a bit painful!! After the game we all retired upstairs for the usual very pleasant banter and drinks. Hopefully, we will get our revenge in the Points match on 2nd February. 

Report by Dave Carr