Club Newsletter Match Day Programme – Week 14
Have a read of the latest news from the Old Pavilion, hear from President Gav McQuillan, a preview to the 1st U16 game of the season. a review of last weekends games, a look forward to this weekends games and details of the clubs My Name’5 Doddie fundraising.
Meet the player is Alistair McCormick.
Grab a coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy the read
Club President : Gavin McQuillan
After the cold weather put paid to our sponsors day last week it’s great to be back in action this weekend.
Saturday morning kicks off with the U16s welcoming Lasswade to Penicuik. A local derby always gives players a little extra motivation and games against our local rivals don’t happen too often these day so it’s great to see this fixture on the list. With the U14s off to Trinity it’s great to have both teams back in action.
A big weekend for the senior teams with the firsts off to Dunbar and the 2s away to Livingston. Nice to see a few players making first team debuts this weekend which continues to show the depth we are building which bodes well for the future.
Enjoy your weekend and let’s hope for some positive performances.
Cheers
Gav
Enjoy your rugby this weekend.
6 Nations Clubhouse Activity
The Guinness six nations kicks off on Saturday 4th February
For those who aren’t at Twickenham or indeed Kings Park Dalkeith to cheer on the 1xv for their 2pm Ko (thanks SRU) our lounge doors will be open from 13:30 on the opening Saturday for the 14:15 ko of Wales v Ireland.
Then at 16:45 we have the Calcutta game England v Scotland, a full clubhouse on Six Nations day is always a special atmosphere. The Clubhouse is just a building, its our members that generate the atmosphere so please come down and help cheer on Scotland (or England if your that way inclined).
On the Friday night you can relive all the action from the 1990 Grandslam decider between Scotland v England from 7:30pm in the clubhouse
200 Club
Congratulations to Ross Mitchell who was Decembers 200 club winner and also to Alun Semple who won the Christmas Bonus draw.
If you would like to take part in the draw, the profits from which support the club and its rugby activities, please speak to Andy Mitchell or Andy Law.
Director of Rugby : Mark Blair
Penicuik 1xv 7 v Livingston 22
Try : Aidan Dean
Con : O. Malone
Last week was bitterly disappointing. We are at a stage in the season where we need our players to front up and show what the are all about, and it isn’t happening.
We are following last season where we were in a good place before the Christmas break only to capitulate in the second half, given the possibility of a league reconstruction we don’t want to be anywhere near the bottom end of the league.
I can’t stress how much this is a must win game away to a venue we don’t have a good record at.
Weekend Squad
After the defeat to Livingston we’ve shaken up our back row. In comes Luke Di Rollo following a lengthy injury spell and Cameron Crawford returns. Luke Randall starts on the wing following a good try scoring spell for the 2xv. Its great to have Ross Liddle back at stand off to run things. Kevin Forrester comes on to the bench to make his Penicuik 1xv debut
Here’s the rest of todays league fixtures
2xv coach : Rich Mann
Penicuik 2xv 33 v Dalkeith 2xv 14
Try : O`Sullivan, McNeill, Graham, L Randall & penalty try
Con :
Pen :
Livingston is the next port of call for the 2nd XV. Livingston have not had an active 2nd XV for a few seasons, so when the call came to help them out with a fixture our 2nd XV will always oblige.
We are very short on numbers but that will not diminish the fact we are fronting up and playing a match. Our last outing was the Midlothian derby over at Dalkeith.
The 2nd XV confirmed a top 3 finish with a comfortable 33 – 14 win. This was not how it looked after 20 minutes with the Dalkeith team taking a 14 – 0 lead. However panic is not a word this teams knows and 12 points before the break and 21 after half time sealed the victory. Try’s from O`Sullivan, McNeill, Graham, L Randall and a Penalty try. McCormick was in great kicking form and our man of the match was Paddy O`Sullivan.
We now go into the last part of the season knowing we are to play Currie, Watsonians, Preston Lodge, Edinburgh Northern and either Ross High or Haddington. It’s looking like we will have 4 home games and an away game to either Ross High or Haddington.
Weekend Squad
At the time of writing the squad is light and we are digging deep for reserves following a number of call off’s. We welcome Mark Robertson and Robbie York into the team, both have been training with us for a while and its great to get them both on the field.
League Table
1xv captain : Aidan Dean
Just didn’t click for us last week, personally I can’t put a finger on why. Some great numbers down at training Tuesday and Thursday which always makes a big difference.
Dunbar is always a tough place to go but I’m confident we can come away with a win.
Congrats to Butch and Luke on their debuts and a welcome back to LDR
Meet the player
Alistair McCormick
Sponsored by :
Ally was our all action full back when the club won the 2015/16 East 2 Championship. His line splitting runs from a deep full back position opened up our opponents. Now several years on he has matured into a key Stand Off for our 2xv and is helping to develop the younger players around him.
On a professional level he has been published 44 times and his most recent paper ‘New Horizons for building pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanisms in plants to improve yields’ can be found behind the bar for those members looking to expand their reading beyond the beano.
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Position : Flyhalf
Age : 44
Favourite chat group : I’m not a major chat grouper but obviously the 2’s team chat
Last song listened Spotify/Apple musics etc : The new 1975 album
Current box set watching : Slow Horses (Bit like myself these days)
Current job : Professor
Who do you sit next to in changing room : I’m not fussy, I’ve sat in enough changing rooms to enjoy the company of who ever I sit next to
Tell us something your team mates don’t know : I’m a brown belt in Aikido
Mini/Midi Rugby This January
Here are the Mini fixtures for February.
u16 Preview v Lasswade HS
U16 coaches Andy Law & Stuart Hogg
This Saturday at 10am Penicuik Under 16s take on their Lasswade counterparts; a home game for us at Old Pavilion and our first competitive fixture in the SRU East Region Shield competition.
This fantastic group of lads will be looking to convert their hard work in training and practice into action. They’ve embraced the task with gusto – this, and the team spirit they’ve maintained throughout this season’s highs and lows, make them a real treat to coach. They’ve done the hard, dark, cold winter yards, literally inch by muddy inch. Now is their chance to show us all how they have developed as rugby players and as a squad.
These guys are the future of the club. They’ve put some huge effort in and it would be a real boost for them if there was a decent crowd to support them this weekend. So please head to the park and see the future, today, as they take the field for their first outing of 2023.
In and around the Club House
Good luck to the player sponsor of Connor Mitchell, David & Aislinn who fly off to New Zealand next week to tie the knot. From all the club we hope you have a great time and congratulations when it comes.
Their clinic will therefore be closed from Tuesday 31st Jan and will reopen Mon 20th Feb. If you would like to book an appointment (and secure a Penicuik rugby discount) email info@dbchiropractic.co.uk
6Nations Fantasy Rugby kicks off again this season. Join the Penicuik league to see who can take top dog.
League no.6667 : Penicuik Top Dogs
Password : UYHAQ
By clicking on the following link : https://fantasy.sixnationsrugby.com/#welcome/register/?parrain=ixr9okm&ligue=6667&mdp=UYHAQ
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
To raise funds for the late rugby legend Doddie Weir’s MND charity, 48 members have pledged to participate in Doddie Aid 2023. This is where you log your exercise, until mid February, which contributes to a club figure and ultimately the Edinburgh Doddie Aid Team. A PRFC Just Giving page has been set up, with 8 individuals linking their own pages to PRFC and Doddie Aid. Should you wish to contribute to the charity, please click below: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paul-hope-1674225071951?utm_source=whatsapp.
Over 35 and want to play some rugby?
We are looking into submitting a Golden Oldies team to compete at the 11th edition of the Golden Oldies Tournament which is being held at McKane Park, Dunfermline on 8th April 2023. There will be fun games during the day and in the evening there will be entertainment to make sure the beer is flowing and the stories are being told. If you are interested please contact Robbie Mactaggart or email info@penicuikrugby.org with the subject header “I’m old and I know it”
Referees : This weekend the club have 2 referees taking charge of games. Andy Law has the whistle for Haddington v Forrester and Les Whatford is overseeing Dunbar v Dalkeith. The SRU are actively looking for new referees and if interested please click the link https://scottishrugby.org/clubs-and-schools/training-and-education/match-officials/ #samegamedifferentshirt
Members Special Offer
2022/23 Player Points
Next Week
Remaining Fixtures
Penicuik Rugby Principal Sponsors
Penicuik Rugby Player Sponsors
