FIRST POINTS 2023

First Points 2023-24

The First Points Competition took place on Sunday 12^th November, with 10 members taking part.

With only 1 sheet of ice, Craig and Jean agreed before the game that players would deliver 2 stones for each Discipline but would play alternately with a ‘partner’, the next player in the order list, to ensure that play continued quickly. This proved a bit confusing at times as the ‘partner’ changed when a new person led the next Discipline. The other challenge with less than 16 stones to play with was making sure there were always enough available at the playing end. That apart, the competition continued at pace and in total 9 Disciplines were completed on the night, a great effort.

Reg got off to a great start scoring maximum in both ‘Striking’ and ‘Inwicking’. After the fifth Discipline, 7 out of the 10 players were already scoring double figures. Keith was making a great show considering this was his first time back on ice since his accident, and after ‘Wick and Curl In’ was at 13 pts. keeping pace with Craig who had a slim lead on 14pts. Both Graeme and Nicki Cassie were also rising to the challenges and scoring well. By this time David G. and Dave A., who had been keeping in contention, were starting to flag which was not unsurprising as they had played a Province Match already.

After another two Disciplines it was all square at the top, with both Craig and Keith on 19pts, and Norrie in 3^rd place on 16pts.

With 1 minute to go for the session, ice man Andy agreed that we could play one final Discipline, ‘Draw thro’ the Port’, and this proved to be the decider. Craig scored the maximum to win the competition on 23pts. whilst Keith faltered finishing as runner-up on 19pts, with Norrie and Reg equal third on 16pts.

After retiring upstairs for a welcome drink, David G made the announcements. Many congratulations to Craig, and to Norrie also who finished as best score for a Lead or Second. Thanks to all who took part. We can now look forward to the Intermediate Points later in the season, another chance for those who know they can do better.

Report by Jean Noble

HURLEY 2023

15th November and Team Anderson backed by 3rd Kyle Baptie, Second Stuart Blackwood and Lead Paul Clapperton secured the trophy!

Their opposition was against Team Scott and for the second night Mr Anderson & Co pulled a win with only 2 Ends in his favour. Final Score was Anderson 9 and Scott 6.

For the second night Mr Scott had a substitute in place. Reg Dunbar Skipped the final while Craig Brown got the Scott team into the final on Ends after a peel against Team Ramsay.

Congratulations to all!

37 CLUB CHALLENGE

Remember, Remember the 5th of November! That was 37 Club Challenge Day.

2 sheets of Ice and 16 anxious players set off Head to Head to earn the 37 Club Challenge Plate. Penicuik Team 1 was led by Dave Anderson with Reg Dunbar at 3rd, Ken Hunter coming in at 2nd and the ever reliable Jim Cowper at one. Team 2 consisted of Jim Ramsay, Iain Scott. Martin Hobbs and Jean Noble.

It took Team 1 5 ends to get on the board against 37 Clubs’ Paul Davis Rink by which time the score was 8-2 to the 37’s. On sheet 6 Penicuik’s team 2 were holding their own and by the 5th end the score was 8-2 to Penicuik. Team game, so we were equal at the 5th. At the 6th howeve, the 37’s 1st team took a 4 from Mr Anderson while all team Ramsay could do was add another 1 to their score.

Things looked as if they were slipping away until in end 7 the Andersons took a 2 making their final score 8 down at 12-4. In the 6th end the Ramsaites were 7 up. All Penicuik needed to retain the Salvor was a 2. Unfortunately, they didn’t have last stone but were on course to make the 2 and maybe even 3 until 37’s Skip of their Team 2 (Alister Hay) made a wick in to earn shot. Ramsay had the opportunity to play his Yellow to Yellow to take out the hidden Blue stone. The excitement was too much! His stone was on the heavy side and unable to stop the keen sweepers to up their brushes, the stone just missed the target and 37 Club secured the Trophy. Upstairs to the refurbished clubrooms for analysis of the game and a Red Wine for Jean.

When we say secure the Trophy, that’s not quite true because PP Scott forgot to bring the Silverware into Murrayfield. So, at time of writing, Penicuik still have the Trophy and possession is 9/10ths!

A return match is organised in March when Penicuik will take back The Trophy (maybe).

CLUB CHALLENGE

A gauntlet has been thrown down to our current Club Challenge holders. The four ladies (Liz, Jean, Margaret and Pam) have shown the door to those that have dared challenge their supremacy in the past.

Now a VERY brave challenger has come forward to attempt to take the trophy. Mr David Anderson is secretly amassing a strong team (names not revealed yet) who will make yet another attempt to take the crown away from our ladies.

The game is scheduled for Wednesday the 29th day of November 2023, to be played at Murrayfield Curling facility starting at 5.30.

COME ALONG AND LEND YOUR SUPPORT!

EDINBURGH CURLING CLUB RULES 2023-24

To help you through your season please read and understand the competition rules if playing in Edinburgh Curling Club competitions. If in doubt contact ECC direct.

EDINBURGH CURLING CLUB COMPETITION RULES Updated for Season 2023-24

For all competitions RCCC rules apply unless specifically modified below.
Except for Pairs and Half Century League the following local amendments to RCCC rules apply:

– All games will be played to a bell, with a maximum of eight ends to be played.
– Unlimited substitutes are allowed and games should only be rearranged as a last resort.(Note: MCL cancellation fees may apply).
– All games will start immediately after the session start bell, or as soon as each team has atleast three players ready to play.
– A penalty of one shot for every ten minutes from the start bell, up to a maximum of threeshots, will be awarded to the non-offending team should the other team have fewer thanfour players at the start bell.
– If a team still has less than three players 30 minutes after the start bell, the game will beawarded to the non-offending team. The non-offending team will be given 5 ends & 6 shots and the offending team will be given 0 ends & -6 shots.
– Skips are responsible for ensuring that scorecards are completed correctly (including any penalties), signed, and placed in the Edinburgh Curling Club box within the ice hall.
– Results and standings will be published on the Curl Edinburgh website and ECC noticeboard. Any discrepancies should be raised with the office at the earliest opportunity.COUSIN TROPHYAll regular players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
Teams must comprise of two men and two ladies, playing in alternate order.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league. If less than five teams then it may be run as a double round robin league.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
Ends, then shots up, then shots scored will be used as tie-breakers.
Prizes will be awarded to teams in first and second place.
Winners will be presented with the Cousin Trophy.HALF CENTURYAll regular players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club. All regular players and substitutes must be at least 50 years old.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.Shots up, then shots scored, then ends won will be used as tie-breakers. Prizes will be awarded to teams finishing first, second and third in the league. The winners will be presented with the Haymarket Directors Trophy.

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JACKSON TROPHY

Invitations will be sent to the winners of all competitions run by Edinburgh Curling Club in the previous season.
The competition will normally be played as a knock-out, with the number of rounds determined by the number of entries. In the event of a tie, both teams will nominate one player to play a draw to the button, with the closest to the button determining the winner.
Should there be four entries, it may be run as a single round robin with the winner determined in the usual way (see Cousin Trophy).
The winners will be presented with the Jackson Trophy.

For season 23-24, The Jackson Trophy will be run as a special 14 team Schenkel event, to celebrate the centenary of the 1924 Olympic Gold medal, won by W K Jackson and his team.

LINLITHGOW TROPHY

All regular players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All regular players and substitutes must also be members of the club they represent.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league plus potential play-offs. If less than five teams then it may be run as a double round robin league.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
Ends, then shots up, then shots scored will be used as tie-breakers.
For play-offs, if used, the team in first place will go straight to the final. The teams in second and third place will play a semi-final, with the winners going on to the final.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners and losers of the final, if played.
If no play-offs, the prizes will be awarded to teams in first and second place on completion of the round robin.
Winners will be presented with the Linlithgow Trophy.

MONDAY LADIES LEAGUE

All regular players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
Substitutes may play for more than one team during the season. A substitute cannot be a regular member of another team in the league.
All games must be played on or before the date of the scheduled last game in the league.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league, in one or two sections depending on the number of entries.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
Ends, then shots up, then shots scored will be used as tie-breakers.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners, runners-up and third placed team. Prizes are currently sponsored by Midlothian Province.

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PAIRS: LADIES PAIRS

All players must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
Specific rules & format will be determined by the number of entries received and available ice. These will be included with the draw sent to participants.
The Ladies Pairs trophy will be presented to the winners.

PAIRS: OPEN PAIRS

This Open RCCC qualifier will follow the relevant RCCC rules.
The competition format will depend on the number of entries and available ice.
It will normally be played as a knock-out with the number of rounds determined by the number of entries. Each game will be played over a maximum of six ends. In the event of a tie one extra end will be played. If still tied after the extra end, both teams will nominate one player to play a draw to the button, with the closest to the button determining the winner.
The Open Pairs trophy will be presented to the winners.

SWAN TROPHY

All regular players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All regular players and substitutes must also be members of the club they represent.
Each club must provide two teams of four to play in each round.
The competition will be played as a double-rink knock-out, with the number of rounds determined by the number of clubs that enter.
Each club will receive one hammer in each match. A coin toss is used to determine stone colour for each club.
The winner of a match is determined by the total shots scored over the two games.
In the event of a tie, both clubs will nominate one player to play a draw to the button, with the closest to the button determining the winner. Players may only play their draw shot on the sheet of ice on which they played.
For the final, an extra end will be played by both teams. If the match is still tied, then the draw shot as detailed above will be used to determine the winner.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners and losers of the final.
The winners will be presented with the Swan Trophy.

A Day at The Bowling

A DAY AT THE BOWLING CLUB

Our club had a get together at Kirkhill Bowling Club on Sunday 20th of August 23. This day was arranged because it wasn’t possible to agree a Croquet date at Penicuik House. The 27 members who attended were given a quick guide as to how best to play their bowls. The weather was very kind to us as were our hosts at Kirkhill.

Food and Drink were provided. The food was organised by Jan Stuart and her Social Committee while Kirkhill provided Bar services,

It was commented by one of the Kirkhill members that they had never seen so many bowls covering the green. To start, Bowls were short and long and rarely near the Jack but as the day progressed our members play improved and the final score was close.

Happy Winners received a BIG PINK BOTTLE OF FIZZ which they didn’t share!

It was the rink led by Ken Hunter and supported by

Sheena Dawe and Reg Dunbar that took the prizes

that were presented by Jan Stuart

Sorry about the quality of the photo. If anyone has a better one please forward it on.

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Street Curling at Penicuik in the Park

Craig Brown was on the go early on a sunny Saturday, 27th May, and with his team of helpers was soon ready for some Street Curling fun at Penicuik in the Park.

The Street Rink and banner for Penicuik Curling Club didn’t take long to attract interest, and with Geoff Dawe and David Ballantyne on the brushes, and Jim Ramsay organising the queue the fun was soon in full flow.

A practice shot was permitted, then down to the serious competition – with all age groups willing to give it a go from the very young to parents and grandparents, some keen matches were played. Youngster were rewarded with a sticker for their efforts. There was also the opportunity, for those who could lift them, to guess the weight of a couple of real curling stones with the prize being a free Try Curling Session for two at Murrayfield Curling Rink.

The point of the exercise was of course to raise the profile of our Club locally, and hopefully encourage some new members. Well done to Craig, Geoff, Jim and David for their hard work on the day.

Annual Prize Giving Dinner 2023

The Club’s Annual Prize Giving Dinner took place on Saturday 22^nd April with 45 members and family attending. The staff at Glencorse Golf Club had ensured that the tables were beautifully set, with Liz Anderson providing colourful spring flower arrangements as a final touch. Trophies and medals were polished and sparkling, ready for presentation. This year, there was also going to be a Raffle with a wide assortment of prizes donated by the Committee. Geoff Dawe oversaw the ticket sales and was very adept at encouraging members to dip into their pockets for cash.

With everyone seated, Club President Iain Scott formally welcomed attendees and read out a note of apology and best wishes from our Patron, Sir Robert Clerk who along with his wife Lady Faye were unable to attend this year due to a prior engagement. Iain commented on the season’s successes and reflected on the sad loss of Ronnie Hope at around this time last year, before raising a toast to his memory. He also acknowledged Ronnie and Jim Ramsay’s contribution to the recent Paul Murton TV programme featuring outdoor curling at Penicuik Estate. Jean Lennie was invited to recite the Curlers Grace, before guests settled down to a delicious meal prepared by the Billy and the catering staff at the Golf Club.

With Dinner over the presentations were due to start, but firstly Iain called on Janette Lambie to step forward to collect her 50 Year Medal, delayed from last year – see separate report. Iain also acknowledged all the hard work by Craig Brown’s Social Committee and others in organising and preparing for the Dinner.

So, to business – to much cheering and applause, the various winners were presented starting with the Bonspiels and culminating with the Kettle Trophy retained by Dave Anderson as Skip, along with Kirsty McWilliam, Andy Cameron and Graeme Cassie, the last two unknown to Dave at the start of the season. Kirsty, winning Skip in the Thirds Competition, had been unable to attend the Dinner, and would probably have needed a Security Van to transport her array of Trophies home. The Outdoor Trophy won by Jim Ramsay’s rink, and a new Trophy donated by David Gillespie for the best Points score from a Lead or Second were among those presented.

The biggest cheer of the night however was reserved for the ladies who had won and retained the Challenge Crook, undoubtedly seasoned curlers but unlikely to be invited on Britain’s Got Talent for their singing ability. Roger Scott, still recovering from the shock of his team’s defeat commented on the unerring focus of Margaret’s rink in sticking to their task.

There are lots more photos in the gallery of the various prize winners.

With the formalities over, David Gillespie proposed a final vote of thanks, guests were invited to collect their Raffle prizes and with time left Craig set up the floor for a ‘Nearest the Bottle’ competition eventually won by Gary Clapperton.

All in all, a great evening to finish off the curling season.

Report by Jean Noble