🏉 Welcome to Your Weekly Rugby Round-Up! 🏉

Whether you were pitchside cheering in the rain or catching scores from the sidelines of life, this is your one-stop scroll for everything Penicuik Rugby.

This week its the opening rugby weekend of 2026, our sides returned to training and Penicuik are represented in the Edinburgh side

It’s more than just match results—it’s the heartbeat of our club, our players, and our community.

So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s celebrate the grit, glory, and game we all love

Mailing List

Know someone who is missing out on all the Penicuik rugby news?? tell them to email subscribe@penicuikrugby.org 

The winners of the 200 Club Bonus Draw are:

1. T.Tait (No. 75-June – £275.00)

2. A.Wallis (No. 83-June – £110.00)

3. D.Zavaroni (No. 22-September – £55.00)

Entry to the Draw costs just £5 per number per month. The more who participate, the bigger the prizes and the greater the amount raised to help fund some of the club’s activities. If you would like to take part, please speak to Andrew Mitchell or Andy Law or email 200club@penicuikrugby.org

As of Monday 2nd March we will no longer be accepting cash for payment at the club bar.

Since we introduced the ability to pay by card a few years ago, the percentage of cash payments has been slowly decreasing to a point where it is now less than 10% of our total bar income. However it still requires significant effort to count and reconcile every month and also to bank cash and manage floats.

In conjunction with this, we will also be investigating new point of sale systems which can link directly to our card readers and thereby reduce the scope for error. A new POS system may also enble us to implement features such as specific pricing for members versus non-members etc..

Please contact  (Andrew Mitchell, Vice President, via Facebook or Instant Messenger) or e-mail us at treasurer@penicuikrugby.org if you have any questions or issues with this proposed change. We will also be posting notices around the club to ensure that everyone is made aware of this before it is implemented.

Additionally, as announced at the autumn budget 2025 the government will change duty on alcoholic products from the 1st February 2026.  This will increase in line with the Retail Price Index.  We will be reviewing our pricing and will communicate any changes when the new POS system goes live.

Huge congratulations to former Penicuik Mini, Niamh Waters, who has been selected on the bench for Edinburgh Rugby as they take on Gwalia Lightning this Saturday.

Niamh is set to make her Edinburgh Rugby debut, and everyone at Penicuik RFC is absolutely delighted to see her hard work and talent recognised at this level. A fantastic achievement and a brilliant moment for one of our own.

Doddie Aid 2026 is officially underway, and the Penicuik league is ready for you to join. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a dog‑walking hero, or someone who just wants to do their bit, every mile counts and every member makes a difference.

And the best part? You can start TODAY.

Why not kick things off with a brisk New Year’s Day walk down to the rugby club. Blow away the cobwebs, clock your first miles, and roll into 2026 the right way. The clubhouse is open from 12:30, so you can reward your efforts with that well‑earned first beer of the year.

https://app.doddieaid.com/dashboard/leagues/league/?id=408

Let’s get Penicuik moving.

Let’s do it for Doddie.

Let’s show what this community can do when we pull in the same direction.

Think you have what it takes to be a rugby selector??

Put it to the test this 6 Nations with our Fantasy Rugby League!

join the league now no.6667 : Penicuik Top Dogs
Password : UYHAQ
By clicking on the following link : Penicuik Top Dog

We have supplies of club branded thermal cups available for purchase.

Ideal for watching rugby outside in the Penicuik cold.

Priced at £6, please see Gav Stephen for purchase or email – youthconvenor@penicuikrugby.org

January Club Bookings

Friday 30th : Birthday Party

Saturday 31st : Birthday Party (7pm-10pm)

For Bookings please contact a member of the management committee or reach out to Robbie Mactaggart.

*** Please note : while we wait to confirm the date of our 2025/26 club dinner we cannot currently confirm any bookings for May, apologies***

MacWood Fuels Player Points

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, Penicuik RFC’s attack has kept the scoreboard glowing all season long. Thanks to Macwood Fuels—suppliers of kiln dry logs, stave and kindling for your home fires—we’re proud to highlight the players who’ve lit up the pitch with their points-scoring power.

From scorching tries to cool-headed kicks, every score has added fuel to the fire of Penicuik pride. Just like Macwood’s logs, our players have kept the heat burning strong week after week.

So whether it’s warming your hearth at home or heating up the scoreboard at the weekend, remember:

All we need is fuel… Macwood Fuels! https://www.macwoodfuels.com

Top Dog of 2025 was awarded to 1xv Captain and Stand Off Alan Haynes.

Well done Alan..

All eyes now on the end of season prize….

This Season

Tries : 73

Cons : 40

Pens : 8

Total : 469pts

Top Try Scorer : Logan McCreath (U14)  & Reuban Harris(U14) 5

Top Goals : Alan Haynes 15

Top Appearances : Andy McLellan 11

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We are proud to announce that our WXV are teaming up with Leith Rugby WXV  for the National Plate 2026.

This partnership is all about collaboration, development, and showing what’s possible when we work as one!

We are so excited for the Cup Run.

The opening Cup game will be at Penicuik, Montgomery Park against Turriff, Sunday 25th Jan 2pm ko.

Full Cup fixtures in the WXV section below.

Our Oval 4×4 powered Hunters, roared back into training this year with an indoor session last week and back outside last Wednesday.

The indoor facility at Penicuik centre has proved a massive hit, and ensured the next generation of superstars are able to hone their skills when the Penicuik weather drops.

Click below for the 1st session of 2026

This Weekend

We welcome Peebles Piranha’s to Montgomery Park this Sunday.

Meet time is 10:40 for a 11am KO.

The Scrum & Try cafe will be open for hot drinks and morning rolls throughout the morning.

Our remaining fixtures for 2025/26 are below

This Weeks Training

From Dave & Geoff

Panthers Girls Weekly Update – Supported by Perfect Clean

A brilliant start to the week as we finally got back outdoors on Monday evening. We were delighted to welcome Ava, a Penicuik girl currently at Watsons, who’ll be joining us for the next three months as part of her DofE programme. Our growing squad now includes a fantastic mix of Avas, Evas, Evies, Emmas, Elsas and more — proof that the Panthers Girls section is thriving.

Training kicked off with mobility and agility work before moving into handling games to sharpen reactions. We then focused on attacking run‑throughs, introducing some challenging concepts that the girls handled impressively. Geoff followed this with a strong defensive organisation drill, helping the group work together and push off the line with confidence. We rounded things off with overload attack games to put everything into practice.

On Wednesday we were back indoors — and what a session it was. The girls showed outstanding focus from the very start after a quick chat about mindset and effort. Warm‑up relay races set the tone, followed by some judo‑based movement work that they absolutely loved. We then split into two stations: tackling technique (side‑on and front‑on) and driving through contact. The energy stayed high right through to the final game of Bulldogs.

A huge well done to all the girls — their progress, attitude and teamwork continue to shine every week.

This Weekend

Panthers on the Prowl – Girls Rugby Evolution Series This Weekend!

 Sponsored by Perfect Clean – keeping our rugby spotless and our standards sky-high!

This Sunday, our Panthers travel to Peebles for the latest Evolution series event.

Meet time is 10:20am at Hay Lodge Park (EH45 8NN) parking is opposite at the Neidpath Road Carpark.

🐆 Panthers Upcoming Opportunities

We’re delighted to share some fantastic events on the horizon for our Panthers!

31st January – Tournament at The Hive, Murrayfield. Our girls have been invited to take part in a tournament at The Hive, following the standard format of competitive fixtures. After the matches, players will enjoy complimentary entry to watch the Edinburgh Women’s team in action — with the exciting possibility of taking part in guard‑of‑honour duties. This promises to be a memorable day, combining rugby development with inspiration from elite women’s sport.

15th March – Hosting Our Own Tournament. We’re proud to announce that the Panthers have been invited to host a tournament here at home. This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our club, welcome visiting teams, and create a vibrant rugby atmosphere for players and families alike. To make this event a success, we’ll need the support of our community — so we’d love to see parents and volunteers get involved.

Both dates are ones to mark in your diaries. These occasions highlight the exciting pathway rugby offers young girls: competitive play, unforgettable experiences, and the chance to be part of something bigger.

Women’s Rugby 2026

As we were late registering our new WXV team for the 2025/26 season, we have partnered up with Leith Rugby for the serious rugby stages of the Ladies National Plate.

There are 5 games where we will host Turriff & Lismore and travel to Lenzie, Paisley…oh and Orkney! Watch this space for some fundraising activities to assist with traveling costs to our venues.

Our partnership with Leith hasn’t just happened overnight, our sides have been training and we played against Livingston before Christmas in a pre-cup friendly.

Here’s WXV Ian Watson review of the game

Penicuik turned up to Livingston with 13 players made up of penicuik and leith players ready to take on a team sheet of 22 Livingston players. On arrival we were given two players from bannockburn to join us.

The game started fast with both Penicuik and Livingston putting in some hard runs and tackles.  It wasn’t long before Livingston were on the score board but this did not faze our penicuk side. With players playing out of position we managed to keep the ball in hand and make some yards. Livingston had some fast runners and when they got the opportunity and space they use them. Livingston scoring 3 more tries but only converting one.

Penicuik came back with some hard runs and a few forward pick and gos for daisy to carry the ball over and score our 1st try, sadly we missed the conversation. The first half finishing 22-5. The second half started and so did the rain and wind. Livingston had the wind behind them and used this to their advantage and also their bench bringing on some fresh legs. Penicuik did well to keep their hard hitters from breaking through and also stealing the ball back a few times but we were not always quick enough at the rucks causing Livingston to get the ball back and using this to score again. Penicuik did win back a few scrums with our hooker Kelly stealing the ball.

Livingston scored a couple more tries with some lovely runs from their experienced players.

The game finished 51-5.

I am extreamly proud of the players. The score board does not reflect the grit,  determination and heart of every player that pulled on a Penicuik shirt.

I am looking forward to seeing what they can do in the cup run

1xv

League Update

This Saturday is now our 1xv’s final home game of season 2025/26…yes you read that correct, the 17th of January will be the final time our 1xv play a competitive home game this season.

We welcome Hawick Quins to Montgomery park, having been well beaten earlier in the season 31-13 down at Wilton Lodge.

Quins were beaten in their final outing of 2025 48-5 away at Livingston, having the previous week putting 83 past Forrester.

All games against Hawick sides are up front forward battles and we look forward to our first and final outing this season.

At the time of going to press the selectors have not released the starting line up, apologies to our positional sponsors for not promoting their logo’s this weekend

Around the League

• The withdrawal of RHS has meant a shake up of the league with all previous games with RHS now nil and void

• Corstorphine now sit top on 34 points with 8 games played, leading Earlston on score difference, however Earlston have played a game more

• Livingston move down to 3rd, however sit on 33pts with only 7 games played.  The fixture at Union Park on the 31st of January will be a very interesting watch.

• Penicuik’s loss away to Forrester before the break, means the Montgomery Park men are now 8 a drift at the bottom of nearest placed Forrester with only 2 games left to play.

2xv

Our 2xv kick start 2026 by welcoming Boroughmuir 3xv, which was rescheduled due to a frozen pitch on 22nd November.

Boroughmuir 3XV have announced their line‑up for Saturday (below) — meanwhile we’re still waiting on our own coaching team to remember that communication is, apparently, optional