🏉 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.

From hard-fought tackles to rising stars, we’re diving into last week’s action and gearing up for the weekend ahead across all our sections.

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

🏆 Penicuik Citizen of the Year! 

We’re absolutely chuffed to share that one of our very own—former club president Alex Pettie—has been named Penicuik Citizen of the Year!  

From leading the charge at Penicuik RFC to championing community spirit far beyond the touchline, Alex has always embodied what it means to act with heart, humour, and humility. This recognition is richly deserved, and we couldn’t be prouder to see his legacy celebrated across the town.

200 Club winners – August 2025

Club Shop

Our club shop has been given a summer make over with a range of new kit and accessories.  We now have additional range of items for our Panthers, Women’s side and the club as a whole.

Click here to view the full range – XXV Club Shop

Men’s Six Nations Away Games 2026

We are now able to accept applications for tickets for the 2026 Six Nations Away games, please see the link below for full details

https://penicuikrugby.org/international-tickets/

Clubhouse Improvements

Thanks to our own Bob the Builders, Andy & Mark, for taking time this week carrying out renovations to the male and female toilets.  If you spot something you think we need to act on please speak up.

A Members Ask.

We have an incredible opportunity to rally behind one of our own. Archie, the son of long standing members Ross & Claire, is bravely taking on a 5K walk in his frame to raise funds for his future. Living with cerebral palsy, this challenge is no small feat—but his determination is nothing short of inspiring.

Let’s show our support by contributing to the fundraising effort and cheering him on every step of the way. Whether it’s a donation, sharing the event, or simply being there to encourage him, every gesture counts.

Together, we can help make a meaningful difference in his journey

For full details and to donate click –

Archie

Club Point Scorers

After 2 weeks of rugby, 2xv standoff Ally McMcCormick is leading the points tally following his haul against Edinburgh Northern last weekend for the 2xv and his goals against Leith on the opening day of the season for the 1xv.

Leading the chase is U14 scrum half Logan McCreith who bagged a hatrick against Portobello and is currently the clubs top point scorer.

This season the club has scored 16 tries, 11 conversions and 3 penalties.

This Week

This Weekend

Dust off those deck chairs and picnic blankets, join us at Montgomery Park for the 2025 Greenstone Energy Penicuik Hunters Festival of Rugby.

We kick off at 11am with games until 2pm for all sides.

Joining us are teams from Dalkeith, Lasswade, Livingston, Peebles & Portobello.

Off pitch we have BBQ’s, the largest rugby card ever seen with a chance to win ££££ and our skills challenge zone.

Click below for the Festival Programme

Hunters Festival Programme

Coming Up…

Boots on, Game On! 🏉🥾 On Saturday, 27th September, our fearless Hunters are swapping rugby boots for hiking boots as they take on the stunning Pentland Hills in a challenge that’s as inspiring as it is scenic.

We’re rallying support to raise funds for our youth section—every penny goes toward new equipment designed to sharpen their rugby skills and fuel their passion for the game.

Our youngest adventurers (P1–P3) will conquer the summit of Turnhouse and return back to the Flotterstone, while our older trailblazers (P4–P7) will tackle a 6-mile trek from Flotterstone, up Turnhouse, across to Carnethy, down the saddle, and all the way back to the rugby club.

If you’ve got a few coins hiding in the sofa—or just want to back our brilliant kids—please reach out to any of our Hunters Coaches for a sponsorship form.

Every bit of support helps them go further, both on the hills and on the pitch!

🐾 Panthers U14 Girls – Weekend Match Report

This weekend, our Panthers girls made the trip to Meadowmill Sports Centre for the Preston Lodge Evolution event, teaming up with Kelso in the U14 round. It was a day full of learning, grit, and some brilliant flashes of rugby magic.

We kicked things off against a strong combined side featuring players from Watsonians, Boroughmuir, Lasswade, and Wanderers. Admittedly, we started slow—confidence seemed to have missed the bus, and our tackling was more optional than committed. We were hesitant at the breakdown and struggled to apply pressure in defence, which gave our opponents plenty of scoring chances.

But the Panthers don’t back down. We responded with some fantastic runs out wide, breaking through and scoring a few cracking tries of our own. That fighting spirit started to show.

In our second match against Dunbar & Preston Lodge, we carried over some of that early hesitation, which led to frustration among the team. So we hit pause, had a quick regroup, and ran some tackling drills before facing our next challenge: a well-drilled Currie side.

And what a turnaround. The girls came out with renewed confidence, moving the ball beautifully across the pitch and creating real attacking opportunities. We rediscovered our tackling form, competed fiercely at the ruck, and gave Currie a proper contest.

Then came the final showdown—our new Penicuik rivalry against Peebles & Dalkeith. And wow, did the girls switch on. In attack, we carried with intent, offloaded smartly, and backed each other up with support runners. Our defence was relentless, with big hits, quick reactions at the breakdown, and turnovers that turned the tide in our favour. It was Panthers rugby at its best.

There’s still work to be done—especially around consistency—but the progress is clear, and the passion is undeniable. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a great team. But we’re well on our way.

🎉 A special shoutout to Julia, who celebrated her 12th birthday with us and played brilliantly. And huge congratulations to Eva, our Panther of the Week, for her standout performance—even after picking up an ankle knock against Currie. Rest up, Eva—we can’t wait to see you back on the pitch.

If you’re thinking about joining the Panthers, now’s the time. Whether you’re new to rugby or looking to take your game to the next level, this is a team where you’ll grow, compete, and have a blast doing it. Come be part of something special.

Click below for one of our tries of the day…

This Week

Wednesday Night Training Vibes 🏉

Fantastic energy from the girls on Wednesday evening! From the moment we started, they were focused, enthusiastic, and ready to go.

We kicked things off with mobility work, then moved into a high-intensity contact warm-up—hitting, driving, and battling to win the collision. Geoff led a great drill on ruck clearance and ball security, which the girls picked up quickly and applied brilliantly in the game that followed.

Special shoutout to Anna, who was an absolute dynamo out there—relentless and sharp in every phase!

We wrapped up with a TikTok video (yes, the girls managed to bribe both me and Geoff into it… again). Great fun and great team spirit.

– Panthers TikTok

This weekend we we have a well deserved home training session at 2:30pm.  We are encouraging our players to bring a friend to training, where there’s rumored to be prizes for players who bring a friend down.

Next Wednesday we are holding a joint training session with the Peebles Rebels Riots down at Peebles

Coming Up

🏉 Panthers Rugby Presents: World Cup Final Watch Party! 🏆

📅 27th September

📍 Clubhouse – Doors open to all women & girls rugby players

🍔 Free food for players during the match!

Scotland may not have made the final, but that won’t stop us celebrating the biggest night in women’s rugby 💪🔥

Come down, bring your teammates, and soak up the atmosphere with fellow players as we cheer on the best in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned Panther or just curious about the game, this is your chance to be part of the buzz, meet the squad, and enjoy some great food and even better company.

Let’s make it a night to remember 💙 #PanthersRugby #WomensRugby #WorldCupFinal #RugbyFamily #JoinTheRoar

This Week

Coach’s Update – Boys Rugby (14–16s)

Another top-quality session tonight with the lads. We kept the tempo high and the focus sharp—working through core skills that actually translate to the pitch.

We drilled handling under pressure, decision-making in tight spaces, and support play that keeps the game flowing. No standing around, no wasted reps—just clean execution and constant movement. The boys are starting to see how skill beats brute strength when the game gets fast.

If you’ve been stacking hours lifting, building strength, and chasing size—but never actually using it—rugby is your missing link.

This sport isn’t just about brute force. It’s about turning power into purpose. Flow, timing, decision-making, and controlled aggression—all wrapped into a game that rewards physicality and sharp thinking.

Rugby gives your training a real-world result. You’ll move better, react faster, and dominate in ways the gym alone can’t teach.

We’re building a squad that plays smart, moves fast, and backs each other. New players always welcome—no experience needed, just a good attitude and a willingness to learn.

This weekend, unfortunately Murrayfield Wanderers are unable to fullfill Saturdays fixture, we train again Monday & Wedensday

Penicuik Women’s Rugby – Weekly Roundup

This week our focus has been on growing the squad, and it’s paying off – we’ve had a fantastic turnout at training and the team is steadily growing!

Our training sessions have been fun and energetic, with new players learning the basics of technique while our more experienced players have been getting stuck into some contact drills.

Coach Ian has also been busy reaching out to other clubs to arrange friendly matches, with the first ones pencilled in for late October. The whole team is buzzing and putting in the hard work to get ready.

Looking ahead to next weekend, the Women’s team and the Panthers are teaming up to host a “Come and Watch” party for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final! The theme is “Wear Your Favourite Rugby Jersey”, so dig out your favourite club or national jersey and join in the fun.

Expect plenty of excitement with face painting and body tattoos, rugby-themed games, a “guess the score” competition – and best of all, FREE pizza!

Come along, bring your friends and family, and support the women and Panthers teams while watching some top-class rugby!

1xv

Last Weekend

Penicuik 22 – 35 Earlston

Click below to hear from 1xv head coach Kris on last weeks loss to Leith

This Week

No game this weekend as it’s a Cup weekend, we have been given a bye into the next round of the National Shield.  Full Round One draw

NORTH BERWICK RFC2:00 PMHADDINGTON RFC

2xv

Last Weekend

Edinburgh Northern 22 – 31 Penicuik 2xv

Our Sexy Seconds came back from behind to steal a marvelous victory at Inverleith Park, a venue many other Penicuik sides have crumbled at (remember Alan Findlays last minute disaster??)

They found themselves 10-0 down after only 10mins and was looking ominous given this was a patched up side missing a full bench.  Penicuik pulled one back through Seru.  Northern hit back when Penicuik failed to clear their defensive lines and scored from a 5m scrum following a defender in front of the kicker from a goal line restart.  Shortly after Northern got their 4th and bonus point try to make it 22-7 after a second attempt at the conversion and a change of kicker.

Just before half time flanker Koli charged over to make it half time 22-12.

Prop Trotter found himself in space in front of the posts to give McCormick an easy conversion to close the gap to 3 points.  With the momentum Roni took advantage with his trade mark burst of pace following a quick off the top line out from Glen (video below) to make it 22-24.

With 5 minutes to go Penicuik put the game beyond Northern with Koli getting his 2nd (try below)

This weekend

On Saturday we travel out to Myreside Edinburgh, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic rugby grounds outside Murrayfield.  Our squad always enjoys a game against Watsonians with a close bond having developed over the years.

Hear from coach Rich Mann –

Squad below