Dave Anderson (skip), President Jim Ramsay (third), Liz Anderson (second), and Janette Lambie (lead) travelled through to Braehead on Saturday 7^th  March to take part in the annual Balfron Invitational Bonspiel, involving eight rinks including two from Balfron, and one each from Bearsden Ski Club, Uplawmoor, Troon Portland, Harlequins, Loch Ard and Penicuik.

This was a closely contested, ends then shots-up, competition which is played over two four end games before and after lunch. The outcome  was two rinks finishing on 7 ends, three on 8 ends and three on 9 ends. Harlequins were 3^rd on 9 ends (+ 1 shot), Bearsden Ski Club (last year’s winners) were runners-up on 9 ends (+ 2 shot)s and Penicuik were winners on 9 ends (+ 5 shots); so a Penicuik rink won the Balfron Crook for the second time in the competition’s history having previously won it in 2010

‘Many thanks go to President Jean, organisers Grant and Eileen, and the members of Balfron Curling Club for a most enjoyable day. We look forward to welcoming them to the Gathering when the engraved Crook will be presented’. – Dave Anderson

The annual match with our close neighbours West Linton was played on Saturday 17 January at 6.00pm.  By tradition, our President and Vice-president raise the rinks for this fixture; the teams were;

Jim Ramsay, Jean Lennie, Tom Alexander, and Pam Ramsay

Dave Carr, Andrew Lambie, Margaret Carr, and Janette Lambie

Shona Watt and Neil Calvert skipped the West Linton teams.

Match Report from Jim Ramsay.

Our President’s rink managed to steal one point at each of the first two ends, with Shona coming back in the Third and fourth ends with a one in each end.  On the other sheet, West Linton took a two but the next two ends went Penicuik’s way with a one and a two.

At the end of the fourth end both rinks were peeling with their opposition. Jims rink won the next three ends giving a score of nine points to two, while Dave won a further two ends to make his rinks final score seven points to four.

Overall Penicuik had 16 points with 9 ends with West Linton having 6 points and 5 ends.

We met before and after the game for some chat.  We all had a good social evening.  West Linton offered their best wishes for our Bi-Centinery celebrations next weekend.