The 2016-17 Knockout final was contested by Teams Anderson and Ramsay on Monday evening. The outcome was a 6-4 victory for the Anderson team. So congratulations to Dave, Reg Dunbar, Pam Ramsay, and Elaine Lambie on lifting the first silverware of the season.
Winning Start to King George IV
Penicuik got off to a flying start in this knockout cup with an 11-1 victory over a warm and friendly Musselburgh side. Our rink – Murray Hope, John Jacobs, Robert Beaton and Ronnie Hope – were first to find consistent weight and took an early lead. Each player had a very strong, consistent game; controlled weight and great shot making ensured that we maintained pressure at every end.
The next round on 3rd February will see us face stiff opposition in either 37 Club or Edinburgh Accies.
Murray Hope
Away Day 2016
Early on a cold and frosty Saturday morning a group of 23 members assembled to board a coach bound for Kinross Curling Rink. On arrival we were presented with hot rolls and coffee/tea. Suitable refreshed, the morning session commenced and two 4-end games were completed. After a quick drink, a soup and sandwich lunch provided the sustenance required for the afternoon. The Ladies took the opportunity for a little retail therapy, whilst the Gentlemen partook of further refreshment. Onward to the afternoon session where two 3-end games were completed with a refreshment break between the games.
The Foundation Team on the day comprised Iain Scott, Liz Anderson, Pam Ramsay, and Aileen Beaton. The Winning team was John Jacobs, Robert Beaton, David Gillespie, and Jean Noble, who managed to win all four of their games and played well as a unit throughout the day.
Thanks go to the Social Sub-committee for organising the event, to Barbara and David Gillespie for their sponsorship, and to Stuart Carnegie for helping out in the afternoon session. Lastly we are grateful to Kinross Curling for their part in making this a great day out.
Photographs will be presented on the Social pages.
Knockout Semi-finals
The semi-finals of the Knockout competition were played in the late shift on Thursday evening. Team Ramsay had a comfortable victory over Team Brown (12-2), and Team Anderson ran out as winners over Team Alexander (6-5).
So Team Ramsay will meet Team Anderson in the final on Monday 5 December (7.30pm).
Swan Trophy Defeat
Penicuik met Haddington in the first round of the Swan double rink knock-out competition on Thursday afternoon. The Penicuik rinks were Jim Ramsay, Ken Hunter, Liz Anderson, and Ronnie Hope; and Dave Anderson, Andrew Lambie, Jean Lennie, and John Glidden.
Both Penicuik rinks lost the opening end of their respective games and struggled thereafter to gain a foothold against opponents who were playing well. Both games concluded in 8-3 defeats. So it only remained to enjoy a refreshment with our opponents and to wish them well in the next round.
Pate Trophy
At around 11:30 Tom Alexander, Jim Cowper, Ronnie Hope and John Jacobs set off for Kelso to play against the Borders Province in the Pate Trophy. Heading up Lowries Den and onto the bypass comments from the back of the car came thick and fast. Where are ye goin Tom, this isnae how you get tae Kelso. We duly pressed on and after some slight confusion due to a broken road sign on the A697 we pulled into the car park at Kelso just after 12:30 where Jim Cowper sheepishly conceded perhaps this was the best way to get to Kelso after all.
We found we would be playing the Borders Province President’s select which would be skipped by the Vice President as the President was on holiday, and after some welcome nourishment we ambled on to the ice at 1:30. At the first end on very dour ice we miraculously took the end to be 1 up. As the ice keened up it became nip and tuck and after 7 ends the Borders were leading 7-6, but there were still a few seconds to the bell and an 8th end was played. Unfortunately this didn’t go well and we gave up 3 shots to end the game 6-10. As is always the case in these games it was played with friendly banter throughout. Overall after this first session Borders Province were leading Midlothian Province by 8 shots.
We then retired to the bar where the banter continued and the usual tales were flowing. As we prepared to leave around 5:00 it didn’t look too promising for Midlothian Province but there was still time to turn it around. After a very enjoyable, albeit unsuccessful day we finally rolled back into Penicuik around 6:00
Tom Alexander
Borders Province 66 Midlothian Province 54
Knock-out Update
In the remaining quarter final games Team Alexander enjoyed a comfortable win (10-1) over Team Hope, and Team Anderson overcame Team Hunter in the last end (7-6). The two winning teams will play each other in the semi-finals on 10 November (see Knockout page).
Knockout Challenge Trophy
The 2016-17 Knockout Competition got underway on Monday evening, with Team Lambie meeting Team Ramsay. The game was a fairly tight affair with the teams level at four all after 6 ends. Team Ramsay took a single in the final end to clinch a victory that sees them face Team Brown in the next round.
Opening Bonspiel 2016-17
Thirty-two members gathered at Murrayfield Curling Rink on Sunday afternoon, eagerly anticipating the start of our new season. Fortunately a number had already been on the ice ahead of the event, the remainder had to quickly get to grips with their slides. We were delighted to have two of our new members, Aileen Beaton and Annette Lang, join us for the event. It was especially gratifying that the company kept up to schedule and seven ends were played, so that each team met all of the other seven teams. The format was such that no one knew how the other teams were getting on. At the close of play Team Hunter emerged as the winners on +9, closely followed by Team Carr on +7. So well done to Jim Cowper, Barbara Gillespie, and Vic Ramage who played with your Reporter.
Afterwards the company celebrated with a meal and a few drinks, before President Dave Carr took to the floor to express the Club’s gratitude to the organising parties, make a few announcements, and relate the results of the bonspiel. Dave also took time to congratulate Vic Ramage on being made Penicuik’s Citizen of the Year for his considerable work in fund raising and charitable work.
Well done to Iain Scott for his work as the principal organiser, and we are grateful to Ian Neil for his sponsorship of the event.
Golf Outing 2016
A great time was had by the 13 golfers and 8 others who joined the party for a meal afterwards.
The winning team comprised Dave Anderson, Ronnie Hope, Iain Scott, and Ian Somerville.
The prize for longest drive on the 16th hole was won by Iain Scott; the prize for nearest the hole on the 8th was won by Colin McCall.
Vice-president Chris Hope officiated at the dinner and presented the prizes, aided by Reg Dunbar, who had been responsible on the day organising the golf golf and announcing the various winners.
Photos will be displayed on the Social page
Penicuik Curling Club 