🏉 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 we have school rugby news, winners congratulations, Guards of honour and cold hats

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

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Penicuik Pride… at the Bottom of the World!

When we hear our members say they’ll go to the end of the earth for the club, we didn’t expect Bob to take it quite this far…

He’s only gone and carried the Penicuik bobble hat all the way to Antarctica – proving once and for all that our colours look good in every climate, including the one where your eyelashes freeze if you blink too slowly.

Rumour has it he’s been out there investigating the big questions:

• Are there secret bases under the ice?

• Is there really an ancient civilisation hiding beneath the snow?

• And most importantly…

Did he find any other rugby fans at the South Pole?

Whatever he discovered, one thing’s certain:

Penicuik RFC – supported from Penicuik to the Pole.

Safe travels home, Bob. The hat has officially been to places most of us can’t even spell.

200 Club Winners

The winners of the 200 Club Draw for February are:

1. P.Smith (No. 56 – £102.50)

2. S.Cochrane-Brown (No. 27 – £41.00)

3. J.Thorne (No. 2 – £20.50)

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

A reminder our bar and kitchen are now cashless, with all sales now card only.

A massive thank you to every section that’s stepped up to fuel our Six Nations weekends with brilliant themed food. Our Hunters kicked things off against Italy with a haggis‑inspired pasta, the Midis carried the baton for the England game, and our Panthers mums absolutely smashed it for Wales with the best stovies going.

This Saturday, as we take on France, our Women’s team are treating everyone to croissants and crêpes.

We’re still waiting to hear what if our senior section will step up for Super Saturday, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as we know.

Come along, get involved, and enjoy the Six Nations in the clubhouse — the atmosphere has been class.

Fantasy Rugby

After 3 weeks, club president Gav McQuillan is showing the tactical knowhow that our senior side seem to have been missing this season, sitting top of the league with a massive 1553pts and a lead of 150pts.

The wooden spoon position is currently covered by Liam Boal on 1125pts.

A reminder week 4 kicks off at 8:10 this evening!

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

A Massive Thank You to Our Hunters Section!

We just wanted to take a moment to shout out our incredible Hunters, parents, and volunteers who’ve been showing real initiative lately by running their own little fundraiser — completely off their own backs — to purchase new equipment and keep things buzzing.

It’s the kind of community spirit that makes this club what it is. Nobody’s asked to do anything, nobody’s pressured, it’s simply our members choosing to contribute, get involved, and have a bit of fun along the way. 

Congratulations to Lewis Seaton who scooped 1st & 2nd prize, hear from Lewis and see the draw below

For URC Origins Weekend, Edinburgh Rugby asked for people to wave the players on at kick‑off. Instead of putting forward a volunteer, we sent three of our own — MacTaggart, Stephen & Thorne — lads whose dads have worn the 1XV jersey, whose families have poured decades into this club, and who’ve grown up on the sidelines, in the clubhouse, and on the training pitches of Penicuik Rugby.

Between them, their dads have racked up 60+ years of playing for the 1XV, coaching, committee graft, early mornings, late nights, and the kind of unseen work that keeps community rugby alive. These boys are the next chapter of that story — waving the flags not just for Edinburgh Rugby, but for every kid whose parents give their time so rugby keeps thriving in Penicuik.

This one’s for the families who show up.

For the parents who coach, drive, wash kits, run committees, and stand in the rain.

For the kids who grow up surrounded by that love for the game.

And for the future of Penicuik Rugby — already carrying the torch with pride.

A Well‑Deserved Honour for Les Whatford

A huge congratulations to our former Hunters coach, Les Whatford, who this week received a truly special recognition from his peers — the Edinburgh Rugby Referees “Referee of the Year” Award.

This is an outstanding achievement for Les, whose commitment to the game continues to shine long after his coaching days with us. On top of the award, he was also presented with a commemorative cap marking 100 matches as the referee in charge — a milestone that speaks volumes about his dedication, professionalism, and love for rugby.

In the photo, Les is receiving his award from none other than Jim Fleming, one of Scotland’s most iconic referees — a fitting moment for a man who has given so much to the sport at every level.

We’re incredibly proud of him, and we can’t wait to welcome him back to the clubhouse on Friday night after he blows the final whistle on our match against Livingston. Something tells us he’ll have a few stories to share.

A massive well done, Les — from all of us at the club. Your achievement is richly deserved.

Rugby in Schools

Big shout out to Beeslack seniors, who have been in and about the primary schools of Penicuik with the P7’s spreading the word about rugby.

On Friday the 13th of March, all the P7’s will meet at Beeslack for a festival of rugby in what will be a fantastic and thrilling day of rugby.

Thanks to our Development Officer Jack Rice and Miss Sharp (Beeslack) and all the S5/6 pupils studying Sports Development Level 6 who have pulled this together.

Our fantastic sponsors McKenzie Skip Hire are lifting us into 2026/27 — literally.

Their generous backing has helped us secure Luke and Tom Stoltman to add a wee bit of weight, power, and world‑class grunt to our front row next season.

With this kind of backing, even our scrummaging machine is asking for annual leave.

Now we just need Anna & Gemma to confirm the contracts were signed….girls?? Girls????

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

This Season

Tries : 77

Cons : 41

Pens : 9

Total : 494pts

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

Top Goals : Alan Haynes 16

Top Appearances : Andy McLellan 12

Huge shoutout to Oval 4×4, keeping our engines running on and off the pitch. If they can keep Land Rovers and Jaguars in top shape, no wonder our Hunters are flying.

If your youngster’s got energy to burn (or you’d like them to), get them down to rugby — confidence grows, friendships form, and they sleep VERY well afterwards.

This Weekend

Its a Midlothian derby, with our Hunters traveling to Kings Park Dalkeith.

Kick off is 11am with a 10:40am meet

Parking is either the Morrisons Carpark or the side streets around Kings Park.

🐆 Panthers Upcoming Opportunities

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

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.

Panthers Girls Rugby – A Perfect Clean Performance at Murrayfield Wanderers

Our Panthers enjoyed a fantastic day of rugby at Murrayfield Wanderers, showcasing everything that makes girls’ rugby such an empowering, exciting environment to be part of. We travelled with a brilliant squad of 15 players — and a huge shout‑out goes to Faith, who pulled on the Panthers shirt for the very first time.

U12s – Growing Confidence, Growing Skills

Our U12s joined forces with Wanderers and Peebles, setting a superb standard from the first whistle to the last. They faced Leith/Boroughmuir/Musselburgh twice, followed by Dunbar/Melrose/Berwick twice, finishing with a big final game.

Daisy, Emily and Ella were outstanding — throwing themselves into every contest, showing real leadership in attack and defence, and each grabbing well‑deserved tries. Exactly the kind of growth and confidence we love to see.

U14s – Determined, Fearless, and Full of Fire

Our U14s opened against Berwick/Dalkeith/Kelso in a tight, physical match filled with brave tackling and fast, flowing attack. The girls told us they edged it 4–3, and they earned every bit of it.

Next up was Leith/Musselburgh, where the Panthers adapted brilliantly — shifting to an offload‑focused style to counter the ruck pressure and running in some cracking tries for another win.

Currie/Wanderers/PL followed, and although our girls worked hard, Currie found the edge this time. But the Panthers bounced straight back against Boroughmuir/Lasswade/Watson’s, putting in huge defensive shifts, doubling up in tackles, and slicing through defenders with sharp passing and footwork to take a well‑earned victory.

The final match — our grudge match against Peebles — was an absolute showcase. The girls threw everything at it: stealing ball at rucks, linking up beautifully, and running in tries for fun to secure their fourth win of the day.

Panther of the Week

This week’s award was a tough call, but for relentless tackling, huge ruck work, and making defenders look like training cones, Layla takes home the Perfect Clean Panther of the Week. Outstanding effort.

Why Your Daughter Should Join the Panthers

Days like this are exactly what girls’ rugby is all about:

• Confidence that grows every week

• Friendships that last a lifetime

• A safe, supportive environment

• Fitness, fun, and a real sense of belonging

• Role models who lift each other up

Whether your daughter is sporty, shy, energetic, unsure, or just curious — there’s a place for her here. Faith proved it today by stepping on the pitch for the first time and thriving.

The Panthers, proudly supported by Perfect Clean, are building something special. And your daughter could be part of the next chapter.

This Weekend

On Saturday our Panthers enter into their first ever 7’s event, hosted by Mary Erskine’s.

Our U13’s kick off at 9am against the hosts with the U15’s kicking off slightly later.

Venue is Stewart’s Melville, Ferry Road, Edinburgh.

Good luck Panthers!

Midi Rugby on the Rise – A Brilliant Day at Meadowmill

Earlier this week our S1 & S2 squads headed to Meadowmill for the Emerging Schools Festival — and what a day it turned out to be.

Both teams put in outstanding performances, showing exactly why rugby is such a powerful sport for young people. Our S2s were unstoppable, winning all three of their matches, while our S1s impressed with two strong victories from their three games. The standard of rugby, teamwork, and attitude across the board was fantastic.

What made the day even better was seeing players from different schools coming together, backing each other, and building the kind of friendships and confidence that rugby is famous for. This is exactly the direction we want to keep moving in — and hopefully it’s just the beginning of even more collaboration and opportunity for our young players.

A huge thanks goes to our Development Officer, Jack, for leading the group and helping create such a positive experience for everyone involved.

Why Join Our Midi Rugby Family?

If your teenager is looking for:

• A sport that builds confidence and resilience

• A team where everyone belongs, no matter their experience

• A chance to get fitter, stronger, and more active

• New friends and a supportive environment

• Opportunities to play festivals, matches, and develop real skills

…then our Midi rugby section is the perfect place to start.

Whether they’ve played before or are brand new to the game, we’ve got a space for them. Days like Meadowmill show exactly what rugby can offer — excitement, teamwork, pride, and a whole lot of fun.

Leith x Penicuik WXV Game Roundup🏉

Women Show Heart, Growth and Grit in Home Plate Fixture

Sunday saw our Women take on Lismore in their second Plate fixture — and their only home game of the competition. We knew from the outset it would be a tough challenge, but the spirit across the squad was outstanding from first whistle to last.

Lismore came out fast, using their experience to score two early tries and a conversion. But once we settled, our defensive shape began to click. The team worked tirelessly, forcing Lismore to move the ball side‑to‑side in search of space, and making them earn every inch. Even as the scoreline slipped away before half‑time, the attitude never dipped — the smiles, encouragement and togetherness on the pitch were brilliant to see.

The second half showed exactly what this group is capable of. Our forwards took control, choosing smart pick‑and‑go options, linking beautifully with offloads, and giving our 9 quicker ball to play from. That momentum paid off with two well‑deserved tries, a reward for sheer determination and belief.

It was a hard day at the office, but a hugely valuable one. The team learned a lot, grew together, and showed the kind of resilience that will only make us stronger heading into our next challenge — an away trip to Orkney on 21st March.

Plenty to build on, plenty to be proud of, and plenty more to come from this group

For all the game photos, click the gallery link – https://penicuikrugby.org/gallery/wxv-v-lismore-22nd-feb-2026/

Thanks to Bob Keith and Alan Wilson for the photos

Help Power Our Journey to Orkney!

The Leith x Penicuik Women’s Rugby squad took on their big “TryAthlon” Challenge  — all to help fund our mammoth trip to Orkney for our upcoming Plate fixture. And there’s still time to get behind us

🏊 🚴‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ The Challenge

Together, as one squad, they covered the 308‑mile distance from Leith to Orkney — split across swimming, cycling, and running. Every mile represents our commitment, our teamwork, and the determination that defines this group.

Why Your Support Matters

Travelling to Orkney is an incredible opportunity for our team — but it comes with real costs. Your support helps cover travel expenses so the players can focus on what they do best: representing our clubs with pride, passion, and everything they’ve been building towards this season

There’s Still Time to Sponsor the WXV Squad

If you’ve been thinking about donating, now’s the perfect moment. Every contribution — big or small — genuinely helps us get to Orkney

Donate Here

Thank you for backing our team, supporting women’s rugby, and helping make this journey possible. Your encouragement means the world to the players taking on this challenge.

Around the League

Massive congratulations to Corstorphine, who last week were crowned East Div 2 Champions following their 59 to 0 home win against Hawick Quins.

We hope it was sore heads all round on the Sunday morning after a well deserved celebration

On Friday evening our Social XV welcome Livingston to Montgomery Park to ensure we keep playing rugby despite the leagues now finishing.

The clubhouse bar will be open from 7pm and ko is 7:30.

Selected squad is –