In this weeks club news we look ahead to tonights game, meet the player is John Graham, look back to 1967, details of the Mini’s Easter Rugby Camp, the forth coming sevens events and also an ask to track down a club photo.

This Weekend

It’s great to welcome The Army in Scotland and Stirling County RFC to The Old Pavilion Montgomery Park this evening (Friday 17th March). The 2 teams met earlier in February with Stirling County edging out a 24-15 victory.

We are honoured to have been asked to host this fixture, and this builds on our last collaboration with the Army which was the jointly hosted 2019 Penicuik 7’s.

Please spread the word the game is on, come down and watch and maybe even enjoy a drink in the club house afterwards (It is St Patricks Day!). The barman tonight is Sammy, who himself previously served with the 1 KOSB and 1 Scots.

Kick off is 7:30pm, and who doesn’t like a Friday night under the lights!

Army in Scotland Team

Saturday

This Saturday its all about the Guinness 6 Nations Super Saturday

Scotland are hoping to return to winning ways at home to Italy (12:30ko)

France are looking to secure 2nd place at home to Wales (14:45)

And on St.Paddies weekend, the Irish are looking to secure the Grand Slam at home to England (17:00). Someone who can’t lose in the final game of 2023 Guinness 6 Nations is 1xv Captain Aidan Dean. Being half and half he has assured us he has bets on both teams to win and will be wearing the winning strip come full time.

We can’t confirm if this will be the outfit Aidan will be wearing at kick off….

6 Nations Fantasy Rugby

Going into the final weekend, Club President Gavin McQuillan is leading the fantasy league with 3051.3pts, we had no idea Gav had so much player knowledge, but we think his recent appearances on Black Diamond Radio Sporting sections has prompted him to study his rugby guide.

Its all to play for with maximum points up for grabs.

Weekly winners so far

Week 1 – Alan Rice

Week 2 – Gav McQuillan

Week 3 – Kai Paul

Wek 4 – Jon Cartwright

TikTok Womens 6 Nations 2023

Congratulations to our own Sarah Law who was selected in the Scotland Squad for this years campaign. Sarah made her debut in the 2013 6 Nations against England.

We will be screening Scotland’s opening game against England on Sat 25th March 16:45 on all screens in the clubhouse.

Good luck to Sarah and all the team

2xv update

Rich Mann 2xv Coach

Penicuik 2xv 54 Watsonians 3xv 10

Tries : Cartwright (2), Graham, Lee, M Randall, Kaharau, McNeill, McCormick, Forrester

Cons : McCormick (8)

Having had a couple of days of snow over Penicuik RFC, the weather gods were with the Montgomery Park boys this past weekend. Saturday’s weather gave a beautiful break to produce near perfect conditions for the 2nd XV to play its penultimate game of the season against Watsonians.

Watsonians arrived with player number problems but were still able to field a very strong fifteen. Coach Ally Campbell of the Myreside outfit had to rely on some home help to get his team onto the pitch.

That aside it was Watsonians who started to stronger team and were camped on the Penicuik line for the first 10 minutes only to spill that ball into welcoming Penicuik hands who ran the length of the pitch to open the scoring with a converted try, 7 – 0 to Penicuik. 2 further tries for the home side followed and a 21 – 0 lead was secured. Watsonians hit back before half time and trailed at the break 21 – 5.

The second half saw a brighter start by Penicuik who quickly ran in 2 post break tries one of which had its conversion missed by the normally dead eyed McCormick. 33 – 5. More pressure from Watsonians in the Penicuik 22 had the home team defending hard. Once again a break from their own 22 had Penicuik scoring once again. 40 – 5. Watsonians hit back with a well worked try from their dashing prop. 40 – 10.

This was the last bit of finesse from the Watsonians team who were now tiring visibly. 2 further scores which were both converted by McCormick giving a final score of Penicuik 54 Watsonians 10. 7 conversions from Ally McCormick along with tries from Cartwright (2), McNeill, Kaharua, M Randall, Lee, Graham and Forester gave Penicuik a very sporting and enjoyable last home game of the season.

Man of the match was a very in form hooker Paddy O`Sullivan, who received this accolade from both teams.

Next Fixture

Archive Photo

Todays featured photo is the Penicuik 1xv from 1967/68 taken before & after the Edinburgh & District Rugby Union knock-out competition shield at Murrayfield.

Penicuik were successful in season 1967/68 in winning the Edinburgh & District Rugby Union (unofficial) junior championship (Penicuik were still considered a junior club as didn’t hold full SRU membership at the time) and also winner of the Edinburgh & District Rugby Union knock-out Competition Shield beating Edinburgh Police 12-6

Team Before

Back Row : K.Thompson, S.Willis, W.Stewart, I.Gray, A.Weir, D.Leadbetter, J.Aitken, W.Inglis

Front Row : P.Somerville, J.Woodhead, G.Thomas, D.Harrow (c), W.Dalgetty, K.Craig, I.Tait

Team After

Back Row : W.Stewart, P.Somerville, K.Thompson, I.Gray, S.Willis, D.Leadbetter, A.Weir, J.Aitken, I.Tait

Front Row : K.Craig G.Thomas, D.Harrow (c), W.Dalgetty, J.Woodhead, W.Inglis

Help Us!

As part of the ongoing upgrading of the clubhouse we are about to rehouse all our Penicuik 7’s Home Winning teams. We are missing a good quality photo of the 1990 winning team. We have a copy of a newspaper cutting (Lothian Times) and also a black and white copy of another photo. We are asking our members, and players at that time to have a look to see if they have a copy we could borrow and scan.

Given the side wore the “Candy” change strips it would be great to locate a color photo. (PS… how good a side was that!!!)

Next Weekend

Easter Camp P1-P7 Boys & Girls

Our Easter Camp booking is now live, please see the link https://penicuikrugby.org/portfolio-items/easter-rugby-camp-2023/?portfolioCats=10 to sign up your child.

The three days will consist of fun and engaging sessions that not only benefit them on a rugby field but also develop them as a person. Our coaching is open to players of all abilities, providing a great introduction to rugby, or an opportunity for skill development, but most importantly a fun way to spend the holidays with friends.

These are aimed at all Boys & Girls in P1-P7 and no previous rugby experience is required.

Dates : April 3rd, 4th & 5th

Times 8:30am – 12:30pm

Breakfast will be provided 8:30-9:00am and Lunch will be provided 12:00-12:30 inside our clubhouse

If you would like your child to attend please complete the form below and we will contact you with payment information.

You do not need to be a member or currently playing, everyone is welcome

For queries please contact Josh at do@pencuikrugby.org

*thanks the generosity of our sponsors McKenzie Skip Hire, Allan Hay Roofing & Building, Uniq, Shand & Burns Financial and all our player sponsors we have been able to absorb the costs of running the Easter Camp allowing as many children as possible to come and enjoy the 3 mornings of rugby in Penicuik

Meet the player

John Graham, sponsored by Greenfingers

John joined us 2 seasons ago and quickly made an impression with his speed and quick feet, which he tells us is from chasing his sheep in the Pentlands. His performances for the 2xv have seen him this season called into the 1xv and recently scored in the derby defeat by Dalkeith.

His debut season 2021/22 seen him awarded the 2xv Young Player of the year.

Position : Wing

Age : 20

Favourite chat group : 2’s group chat, mainly for the daily Craw message and Butch Quote

Last song listened Spotify/Apple musics etc : Taylor Swift – ” You belong to me”

Current box set watching : The Last of Us

Current job : Everywhere, The Farm, Naval and helping Vikes from time to time

Who do you sit next to in changing room : Andrew Cartwright

Tell us something your team mates don’t know : I’m actually a massive Lady Gaga Fan

Mini Rugby

In and Around the Clubhouse

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Wilson. 2xv player Fraser Wilson recently tied the knot (thankfully it was on a non-match day so didn’t impact his availability ….).

We wish you both all the best for the future

Congratulations continue to 1xv Captain Aidan Dean who recently turned 30, we hope you had a great time celebrating (photo below of his big day).

Aidan has assured us turning 30 won’t impact his performances and cites Brian O’Driscoll as only reaching his prime in his 30’s. Aidan did reach out to Bod to confirm this, but like all his previous messages attempts, Brian has opted to ignore and not reply.

What’s Coming Up

Our forthcoming sevens events for Summer 2023 are as follows :

Penicuik 7’s – 22nd April

12 teams are currently booked and we are planning for the biggest day in the Penicuik Rugby Calendar. We are always on the look out for volunteers and tombola items for the day. If you can help please speak to a member of the committee or email info@penicuikrugby.org