Weekends Pre-Match Preview – week 10

Pre- Match Review – Week 10

Hear from both coaches ahead of todays games, a midi’s review from U14 coach Paul Hope, our new player sponsors, meet the player, in and around the clubhouse and also an exclusive member opportunity from Lind & Lime Gin

Grab coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy the read

Club President : Gavin McQuillan

It’s great to welcome Hawick Linden and Haddington to Penicuik this Saturday as we we get back to competitive league action in this stop start season.

This doesn’t help create any continuity for the coaches or players so it’s fantastic that again we have two full squads available. Particularly pleasing is the continued opportunities our young talent is getting to play with Connor Lynch,a product of our midi section, the latest to make his first team debut today at the ripe old age of 18.

On Sunday myself and 1xv captain Aidan Dean will be representing the club for the Remembrance service and parade organized by the Penicuik Royal Legion. Its always important to remember those lost in battle and the many Penicuik players and members that lost their lives

With the woman’s World Cup final and the autumn internationals on too I hope you enjoy an exciting rugby weekend. Thanks Gav

Membership details can be found at https://penicuikrugby.org/online-membership/

200 Club

Autumn International Series

A mixed bag for Scotland so far, pushed Australia close before losing 22-23 then overcame Fiji 28-12 last Saturday.

This Sunday Scotland face the All Blacks for the first time at Murrayfield since 2017 where they narrowly lost 17-22, many will remember the last minute break by Hogg only to be tackled short of the try line by Barrett.

The clubhouse will be open on Sunday from 13:30 ahead of the 14:15 kick off.

Please support the club by utilizing the bar for the games. The revenue earned is channeled back into the playing side of the rugby club.

Player Sponsorship

Thanks to everyone who has stepped forward and sponsored a player for season 2022/23, there are still players available if you are looking for advertising or wish to support the club.

To see all our player sponsors please check out the Squad sectionhttps://penicuikrugby.org/our-squad/ , click on the sponsors logo to be directed to their web page and coming soon to the website will be a sponsors directory which will encourage all members to use when they looking for services.

Director of Rugby : Mark Blair

Penicuik 1xv – Hawick Linden

Its great to welcome Hawick to the Old Pavilion this afternoon, no doubt they will be looking to avoid a repeat of the result earlier in the season down at Volunteer Park.

We’ve had a mixed bag so far this season, won 3 lost 3. The Dalkeith game could have gone to any side, we were comprehensively beaten by a strong Langholm who sit top of the league, however the Corstorphine defeat could have been avoided. That said, we are only 6 pts off the top (with Langholm having a game in hand). We need to take maximum points from every game the rest of the season and hope Langholm drop a few points. The side were in a similar position last season before losing momentum after the Christmas break and we are keen to avoid a repeat.

We need to tighten up our defence in the second half of the season having shipped 162 points for far, the 2nd worst in the league and currently have a negative difference of minus 7. We’ve let the opposition run at us, rather than our defence rushing up closing the space down.

The boys had a good run out at training this week and we have a great atmosphere in the changing room.

Today will be a tough game and Linden have some good ball players, the conditions are expected to be dry but the overnight rain will mean a heavy pitch and we are keen to avoid a forward based scrapping game

Weekend Squad

It’s great Ross Liddle has again made himself available to start at 10. Connor Lynch makes his 1xv debut in the second row after turning 18 this week and we have no problem with pitching him straight into battle. Tom Barker returns from injury and fills the 13 spot as Adler is injured. Fantastic to have Pearson and MacTaggart both back on the bench after a period of unavailability

Hawick Linden make a few changes from the side that lost 24-8 to Corstorphine last time out. Jordan White comes in at prop for Ryan Beattie, Connor Gracie moves from flanker to wing and Jack Wilson moves to flanker from 2nd row. Wood & Graham continue at half backs whilst Glendinning moves to wing from centre

2xv coach : Rich Mann

Penicuik 2xv 66 v 14 Corstorphine 2xv

Tries : Hope (3), Clark (2), Smith (2), Pritchard, Cannon (potentially more but no one has replied back)

Con : McCormick (we think as no one has confirmed)

Pens : Potentially?

Drop Goal : Would be the first one for 3yrs if so

it’s been one of those weeks for the 2s leadership team. At one point we had 12 players and only 2 front row with a dubious fill in at hooker by the coach. Come 23.00 hours on Friday we have a squad of 20 with the likes of Car Park, JR and Ed Sheerin coming in from left field to save the day.

Haddington are bringing a very strong squad to avenge their only home defeat of last season, a defeat inflicted on them by a steely Penicuik 2nd XV who the Haddington coach by his reckoning was our 1st XV on steroids. When our backs are against the wall we play our best rugby and our best will be needed on November the 12th. Captain Hope and Vice Captain Pritchard are back to give McCormick and Holmes a leadership rest.

We now have 4 leaders on the park to take the game to the opposition. Our last game was a convincing win against Corstorphine. This catapulted us into the top half of the table. Hatrick come back kid Hope and scorers Graham, Randall to name a few were on great form. All retain their places with the exception of Moffat who is on a mystery mission on the 12th.

If you want to see grassroots rugby at its best then come to Montgomery Park and cheer on Penicuik . The 2s backroom team of Mann, Cartwright, Skirving and Gilligan will welcome you with open arms. Here’s a video of a try by Connor Clark IMG_1954

Weekend Squad

A shortage of back row options results in wingers Gordon and McCall making the step up to wing forward. The additional pace around the pitch will hopefully aid the side. We now have a settled backline, with Cartwright continuing his development under the guidance of former 1xv players McCormick and Hope. Hooker to be confirmed on the morning to allow for late fitness tests.

Haddington RFC

1xv captain : Aidan Dean

It’s good to be back. We have had a few weeks off so the guys have been desperate to get back. Away from home we came back with a bonus point win against Hawick Linden but we didn’t make it easy for ourselves.

We have a tendency this season to play try tennis, one for us then one for them. But the aim this week is to play in the right places and when we get our tails in front, stay there and build the scoreboard.

Its always a great atmosphere in the club after games against Linden and with both sides at home this weekend and live International rugby on the screens I hope we can add with a win.

During the break last weekend I was down south being hosted by former team mate and PRFC player Sean Thomson, he passes on his regards to everyone at the club and apologizes to the players for losing the on-loan dumbbells he borrowed 2yrs ago and is now ready to explain how he lost them down a hillside. I know for sure Robbie is ready by his phone to hear what happened.

Meet the player

Ross Liddle

Mini Rugby This Weekend

Midi’s Round up

Paul Hope U14 coach

On the field the Under 14’s have commenced the 2022 season with 3 consecutive wins, against Murrayfield, Wolves and Leith. Off the field, the S1’s have been brought up to speed with how the 15 a-side game works and all have gelled well with the S2’s and together they have become a formidable force. We are currently sitting with a squad of around 19 players and always welcome new comers.

The 2022 season has seen James Lilley, Alex Crawford and James Reid have their 1st taste of rugby and all are loving it. From Dalkeith we have welcomed Evan Mitchell who too has fitted in well and loving the Penicuik way. We are currently awaiting the fixtures for the 2nd half of the season and everyone is raring to go

In and around the Club House

Congratulations to Watsonians Rugby on their recent FOSROC Super 6 Championship win. Special mention to die hard Penicuik supporter Neil Irvine-Ness who came off the bench to help Watsonians on their victory during extra time after coming back to tie 24-24 at full time and win 43-24

Christmas will soon be upon us, if you are looking for Penicuik rugby gifts, please see our club shop run by our partners PSL https://tinyurl.com/Penicuik-Rugby-Shop

Some new items have been added including these leisure tops

If your office or work are looking for somewhere to relax for Christmas drinks, please consider booking our lounge. On the 16th Dec we are already booked for the Cuiken Primary School teachers night out. If you’d like to make a booking please contact any member of the committee

Members Special Offer

Thanks to our sponsors Lind & Lime Gin, our members are able to access their corporate gifting items from https://www.mucklebrig.com Please click here for the full gift guide MUCKLE BRIG_CORPORATE GIFTING_2022_PRICING

2022/23 Player Points

1xv Captain Aidan has moved out of the top score board list, we are still waiting clarification of how many goals Ally McCormick scored last weekend which will see him move ahead in 2nd place