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This week @ Penicuik Rugby
Its a triple home header
Friday nights are Edinburgh Rugby Nights and the game will be live in the club from 7:30pm
We look back at the 2004/05 season
For all the Penicuik rugby information keep reading below
Presidents Welcome
Three games for us to enjoy this week as we welcome Livingston and Watsonians to Montgomery Park on Saturday afternoon, whilst Stirling County travel down to face our U14 side on Saturday morning.
Hot on the heels of a win last weekend build around a great defensive performance the First XV have another tough fixture against a Livingston side who will also be looking to build on their victory last weekend.
The first encounter was a competitive high scoring game and I would expect the same again this Saturday as both teams will be eager to maintain their momentum as we head into December. Kick off 2pm and as always a vocal home support will make all the difference.
The 2’s continue to impress those around the leagues with their positive attitude and commitment to improve and develop. Another big name awaits in Watsonians on Saturday and I would encourage you to come down and show your appreciation to the guys as they look for their first league win of the season.
You may have noticed the recent welcome return from injury of Nick Adler – perfect timing given our long list of injuries. Like his well travelled centre partner Nick is also swapping the rain of Penicuik for Dubai to play for a South Africa Invitational team in the annual seven tournament. Brilliant opportunity enjoy the experience and best of luck from us all.
Enjoy your rugby this weekend folks.
Cheers Gav
Youth Rugby
Midi Rugby (S1-S4)
Come down to Montgomery Park for a 10:30am kick off and enjoy the U14’s take on Stirling Country.
Mini Rugby (p1-7)
Our mini’s P1-6 make the trip to Leith Hawks for a 10:45am Ko. Set your Sat Nav’s for Leith Academy EH6 8JQ
Micro Rugby (Pre-School Nursery Age)
Training 11am
Registration is now open for the PRFC kids Xmas party, please click here for full details – https://penicuikrugby.org/portfolio-items/prfc-kids-xmas-party/?portfolioCats=10
Last Sunday we welcomed Dalkeith mini’s along for fantastic morning of rugby, catch up on some of the tries scored by our p4 ‘invincible’ team here –
First XV
Penicuik 13
Corstorphine 11
Tries : Haynes, Ketchen
Pens : Haynes
This was very much a squeaky bum time for Penicuik as they were facing down their 2nd defeat of the season with 10mins to go. Despite plenty of possession and territory in the first half, Penicuik could only cross over once to go 8-3 up through a Haynes try and penalty.
Corstorphine took the lead mid way through the 2nd half to make 8-8, before slotting a penalty to make it 11-8. With time running out, Ketchen found himself in space to cross to put Penicuik 2pts a head. With minutes remaining Penicuik conceded a kickable penalty for Corstorphine to win the game, but ended up mightily relieved when the ball sailed past the wrong side of the posts.
Livingston travel to Montgomery Park having won last week 25-6 home to Quins and currently sit 6th with a 3&6 record this season. The West Lothian side will be looking to avenge the 25-40 result earlier in the season, where Livingston played the better rugby and it was only several late tries which gave Penicuik the victory.
Livingston side for Saturday TBC
Todays Squad –
Dean continues to top up his Winter tan in Dubai and sends his best wishes allowing Adler and Doyle continue their centre partnership. Cartwright comes in for Sprott. Holmes is available after last weeks injury and Di Rollo returns to the back row.
2xv
Penicuik – 0
Currie Chieftians 3XV – 48
On what would like a standard league fixture to anyone outside of the two clubs involved, would prove to be something so much more. With Penicuik 2s coach Rich Mann, having played all his career at Currie. It would only be fitting that the two clubs were scheduled to play on the day of his birthday. This would go on to create a great atmosphere throughout the match between two close clubs and truly be a game in which embodied many values of the game.
Onto the match itself, it would be a similar story of the season for Penicuik in the opening half of the game, unluckily being swept away by a well drilled and strong ball carrying side with a flyhalf who could take control of the game and exploit any error the hosts would present him with. This would result in the majority of all point to be scored in that half.
However, this wouldn’t dampen the spirits of the hosts as they would go back onto the pitch in that second half and front up massively in defence and give their all to stop Currie from getting over the line. Due to an unfortunate red card to the hosts later in the half, space would open up and cracks would open up in the defence and Currie would break through them to score twice in the second half.
The team and club will look past this game now and look towards the next two weeks, with two home games for the 2s. Watsonians make the journey to Montgomery park on Saturday 25th and to follow it up the mighty 2s host Lasswade in a massive Midlothian derby on Saturday the 2nd.
So get down and back your team these next two weeks as your support goes that extra mile in these testing times for the team.
Watsonians Team : Watsonians name another strong side, and we welcome back former Penicuik player Mish Campbell who starts at 8 for the Myreside men
Team selection –
C Duncan
200 Club winners – October 2023
The winners of the 200 Club Draw for October were:
- A.Maclean (No. 93 – £88.75)
- A.Pettie (No. 37 – £35.50)
- D.Zavaroni (No. 22 – £17.75)
If you would like to take part in the Draw, the profits from which help to keep the club afloat, please speak to Andrew Mitchell or Andy Law or email info@penicuikrugby.org
In and Around the Clubhouse
With news this week the Dalkeith v Dunbar game has been rearranged for the 30th March, a massive 73 days after Penicuik are planned to have kicked their last ball of the 2023/24 season, we look back to the 2004/05 season when a late re-arranged league game ended Penicuik’s league hopes.
Penicuik enjoyed a BT National League Division 5 season, only dropping points away to Lasswade (who were playing at the Dalkeith Schools pitches as their own ground was being rebuilt into the arena they currently play at).
Scott Ramsay and Steven Cunningham were pulling the strings in the backs utilizing the pace of Gullen, Hope and Thompson. Penicuik finished their season top of the league but couldn’t confirm the championship as Broughton FP sat 2nd 4pts behind and a game outstanding against Lasswade, which had been cancelled during the wetter winter months.
On Saturday the 9th April 2005, a large Penicuik support travelled to Wardie Park to cheer on Lasswade (with the exception of the PRFC Hibs supporters club who travelled to Hampden for the Scottish Cup Semi Final).
Broughton went into the game, knowing only a bonus point win could see them leapfrog Penicuik and claim the title. Despite a late rally from Lasswade, Broughton came away with the win 22-20 and earning the bonus pt they required.
Despite beating Broughton home and away that season, it was the lack of bonus points that ultimately cost Penicuik that league title (oh how we remember the Dougie Goodall disallowed try against Broughton which would have earned a bonus point). Penicuik then travelled through to face Waysiders Drumpellier in a play off to reach National 4.
A heavier/stronger Waysiders pack coupled with a waterlogged heavy pitch put the end of any promotion pursuits that year. The only highlight was Scott Ramsay being awarded league player of the season at the end of season awards at Murrayfield shortly after.
This season, Penicuik have 4 games left, and have it in their own hands to ensure there isn’t a repeat of the 2004/05 season.
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