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Closing Bonspiel 25/26

Report by Dave Anderson

Our Closing Bonspiel played on Saturday 28th March was a fitting finale to an excellent season of curling. Sadly, we were missing Roger and Iain Scott following their recent bereavement and our thoughts were with them and their family as we took to the ice.

It was great to see 8 rinks battle over 7 ends to determine the outcome of the day, which was observed by Jean Lennie, sponsor of this event over many years, for which we are very grateful. Jean, a Penicuik CC curler of old, witnessed some “great shots” from some but also some “pretty rubbish shots”

.It was good to see our two newest recruits, Colin McClung and Chuck Heckman, taking part and from what was seen and heard they made a telling contribution to their respective rinks, one in the winning rink with the other in the runners-up rink.

The games were played in the usual good spirits over seven ends, managing to start the seventh just before the end of session bell rang.

We retired to the club room for well earned refreshments with soup and sandwiches on offer.

The scores were scrutinised and following a wee ‘faux pas’ by the Social Committee convenor to great hilarity, the booby prizes were presented by Jean Lennie to the correct rink of David Gillespie, Ian Robertson, Debbie Belcher and Lesley Broadwood with a score of -6 shots.

There was no dispute about the winning rink, with a score of +11 shots, skipped by Jim Ramsay with Jean Noble, Colin McClung and Louise Clapperton, who received their prizes from sponsor, Jean.

Following that presentation, President Margaret proceeded to make another presentation, this time to Jean Lennie who received a 50 Year medal to commemorate 50 years as a member of Penicuik Curling Club.

Jean was then presented with a certificate of Honorary Membership of Penicuik Curling Club in recognition of all she has done for the Club and beyond, including her involvement with Wheelchair Curlers over several years.

WEST LINTON CHALLENGE 24/25

West Linton Challenge Match

This annual social fixture was played on 10th February, and as usual was a very friendly but competitive encounter.

Margaret Carr skipped her team of Geoff Dawe, Jean Noble and Heather Harpur against strong opposition, Alison Cockburn’s rink of Chris McDonald, Hamish Dykes and Mairi McDonald. On the other sheet, Iain Scott fielded Kirsty McWilliam, Jim Hume and Rory Clarke against an equally strong rink of Shona Watt, the Donnelly brothers and Barbara Watt.
After losing a 3, then a 2 in the first two ends, Margaret was up against it early on, but clawed back a 2 in the third end. A separate take-out competition was beginning to develop between the Seconds in this match, but Alison’s rink began to pull away taking another 2 to lead 2-7 after end four. 

Ian’s rink was looking in better shape being all square on 2 each after end 3, before taking a further 2 to lead 4-2 at midway.  Things were reasonably hopeful at this stage.

However, that was unfortunately Iain’s last points, and with West Linton playing to their strengths, they pulled ahead taking another 8 over the second half.  Despite Margaret’s rink scoring a further 2 which included a terrific draw shot by Margaret to win the final end, the result was without doubt. 4-8 on sheet 1 and 4-10 on sheet 2, leaving West Linton as runaway winners for the fourth year in succession.

After the usual friendly drinks and chat upstairs, Margaret thanked everyone before presenting the Challenge Trophy to Mairi, good humouredly reminding the West Linton team that they still have a way to go to beat Penicuik’s run of eight wins in a row. 

 

Battle will resume next season!

REPORT BY JEAN NOBLE

A BIG WEEK

Part two of the 25 season got underway with The first Club Challenge of the season resulting in a win for Team Ramsay (already reported).

Then came WINTER conditions which allowed play on outside ice. Yet again play was at Herbetshaw on a frozen pond. In recent years it has not been possible to play on The Low Pond due to milder winters. The Ice had been tested at the pond but was less than 2 inches thick. On ‘home ground’ Craig Brown took possession of The Outdoor Medal. Only 2 teams of 5 (yes 5) took part in a 5 end game on Wednesday 8th of January. The outdoor participants in team Brown were Craig, Iain Scott, Neil Lackie, Reg Dunbar and Graeme Cassie. Helping Jim Ramsay to gain one point against Craig’s 9 OR 10 win were Dave Carr, Geoff Dawe, Alan McDonald and Louise Clapperton. Thanks to Martin Brown for the use of his land and for clearing snow to allow vehicle access. It was great to have a spectator to watch the antics. Christine Brown supplied Chocolates for all and viewed from the comfort of Craig’s car. Video shot by Graeme can be found at https://youtu.be/V3u49JDUvYQ

That same evening Geoff took a rink against DAFS in our annual friendly at Murrayfield. Obviously the afternoon session was good practice for Geoff because with his team of Liz Anderson, Graeme Cassie and Paul Clapperton took a win against Elizabeth Sharp’s team with a 5- 3 Score.

It wasn’t such good news in Penicuik’s efforts in The Swan Competition against Oxenfoord. Two Rinks that were Skipped by Craig Brown and Jim Ramsay took to the Ice at Murrayfield on Thursday 9th. Jim and his team of Dave Carr, Graeme Cassie and Reg Dunbar managed to fight off Trevor Dodds team with a 5-4 win with 5 ends to 2. Not so happy times for Craig, Alex Moir, Jean Noble and Neil Lackie who suffered a 20 – 3 loss at the hands of Callum Harvey who took 5 of the 7 ends.