Weekends Pre-Match Preview – week 4

It was a bad day at the office last Saturday for both teams

Grab a coffee sit back and have a read.

Club President : Gavin McQuillan

One of the big weekends of the year with the mini festival taking place on Sunday.

A huge thanks to Sonia, the coaches and all our helpers who have been working hard to make the event happen for the 400 players taking part. Fingers crossed for good weather and I’m sure a brilliant event for the next generation.

Both senior teams are playing this weekend (at time of writing) after the on/off game at Hawick in on. This originally being a free weekend means, despite having a number of players away, the strength in our numbers that two competitive teams can still represent the club. So if you fancy some rugby either close to home or a trip to the borders home support for both teams on this important weekend would be welcomed.

Finally you will have seen this week a new opportunity to support the club through player sponsorship. We have had a great response so far so if you would like to get involved please Gav Holmes a shout. Look forward to seeing many of you across the weekend.

Membership details can be found at https://penicuikrugby.org/online-membership/ please note the discount is valid till the end of September.

Director of Rugby : Mark Blair

Penicuik 1xv 6- 10 Dalkeith

Tries :

Con :

Pens : Malone (2)

I don’t even know where to start with last weekend.

I’m still struggling to get my head round how we lost. We had plenty ball and possession, but yet failed to put the ball in the right area to score. This isn’t a forum to hear my rants, instead I’ll say in the days after, and at our training sessions this week, the boys have stood up and recognized what went wrong and have worked hard on putting things right for this weekend.

Its great 1xv captain Aidan Dean has found time out his busy schedule to be available this weekend for the trip to Hawick, however we still have several players unavailable but a testament to the whole senior squad we have still been able to put out 2 strong sides this weekend.

I won’t be down at Hawick this weekend, it’s my daughter’s 19th birthday and we have family over from Ireland. But the team is in sound hands in Natascha Kretzel and Andy Mitchell, I look forward to seeing the final score (or even the live updates on instagram) and if all things go right the boys will enjoy a drive home with a first win of the season under their belt

2xv coach : Rich Mann

Penicuik 2xv 8 – 50 Preston Lodge

Tries : ??

Con : ???

This week the 2s were due to play old friends Walkerburn. The Burn have not been an active team for a couple of years so having them up at Penicuik was to be a treat. They are a club that is a centre of their community and truly stand for grass routes rugby.

This is why we always try to support them where we can. James and the boys are doing a great job to bring their club back from the brink to once again having rugby played on the hallowed ground of Caberston Haugh.

We played them a matter of 3 weeks ago and received a great welcome from everyone down at Caberston Haugh – a gesture we were looking to reciprocate.

However, as they have reduced numbers we have asked them to join us and Aberfeldy instead this weekend, rugby is all about playing, no matter what colour of jersey you put on at kick off.

On a playing front we welcome back David Yule from the wilderness, it will be great to see if Davy can make it through the match without busting his nose.

Fraser Wilson has also managed to escape a crippling police shift to have a run out with Callum Duncan making a long awaited start.

Captain Hope is injured with a popped calf, Vice-captain Pritchard is away with the 1st XV at Hawick. Ali McCormick and Gavin Holmes have stepped up to the mark and will carry the captain and vice captains arm bands with honour.

Last week was very disappointing for the fact that we had an awful 1st half and let Preston Lodge run over the top of us and gain a rather large point’s haul. However the team rallied and produced an amazing, bar setting, 2nd half. True 2nd XV spirit was in evidence which was punctuated by good humour and excellent sportsmanship from both teams on the pitch. Special mention to men of the match Luke Randall and Eric Cannon.

Weekends Squads (correct at time of publish)

1xv : Paul Smith makes his 1xv debut at Hooker due to the unavailable Max Malone and Luke Di Rollo, Martin Pritchard steps up to second row for the 1st time this season. Connor Mitchell suffered cracked ribs against Dalkeith and is out for several weeks and is replaced by Andy Young. Jack Rice takes the 10 shirt for the 1st time and Steven Ketchen moves from wing to 13.

2xv : The injury in the opening moments to Paul Hope against Preston lodge means David Yule is able to step up. his presence and experience from his years in the 1xv will be valuable today. Fraser Wilson is available for the 1st time this season to slot into the back row and its great to have club Stalwart Stephen McManus start at full back. The bench is light with Mann and Cartwright being used only for emergencies, however this will ensure the majority of the team get a full 80 mins under their belt

1xv captain : Aidan Dean

You know what, I’ve had some stick the last few weekends for being missing, and I was proper gutted not to be available last weekend against Dalkeith and I’ll take the jokes my boy Alfie has seen more Penicuik games than me this season. But it all starts this weekend.

Work shifts and injuries means yeah we don’t have our strongest side, but being amongst the boys training on Tue & Thur gives me confidence for this weekend.

We will miss Mark’s deep Ulster tone from the sidelines, but we want to go out and prove last weekend was a blip, and we are strong enough to challenge for this league. I’m looking forward to coming back up to the club on Saturday night with a win under our belts

Meet The Player : Stephen Ketchen

Steven, on his day, is one of the fastest players in the league. He finished last season top try scorer despite missing several games last season. His time out last December was spent in Dubai representing the Waterboys at the 7’s International tournament.

Name : Steven Ketchen

Position : Winger

Age : 22

Favorite Group Chat : couldn’t possibly sale

Last Song Listened to : Electric Relaxation

Current Box Set : The Capture

Who do you sit next in the locker room : Connor Mitchell

Current Job : Customer Assistant

In and around the Club House

We were saddened this week to hear about the passing of our longest serving captain https://penicuikrugby.org/jimcowan/ This was followed late this week of the news of the passing of Arthur Hutchison. Arthur played full back for the club in the 60’s and 70’s and was one of the first players to kick goals using the instep rather than the toe. He also introduced the dance of the flaming A-holes to the club repertoire at club smokers in the 70’s. He passed from Diabeties whilst living out of Manila and our thoughts are with his family.

Congratulations to Max Malone for securing his first big job in the city, in days gone by this would have been a celebration with your team mates after the game at the weekend, but I’m sure a weekend away in Greece with the mrs is just as good.

Its disappointing to hear after an injury spell, Luke Di Rollo’s knee broke down again against Dalkeith and he’ll miss the next few weeks. Lets hope the good people at Bupa are worth more than the NHS and get him back on the field quickly!

Please note the current early bird membership discount expires the end of this month. Please see this link to registered before we revert to full price https://penicuikrugby.org/online-membership/

Our 200 club continues to providing for all rugby activities. The winners of the 200 Club Draw for August were:

R.Moffat (No. 8 – £88.75)
L.Whatford (No. 31 – £35.50)
A.Rice (No. 69 – £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

As we approach winter its good news to report we are now in possession of our new coaches jackets. These will be issued at the next sessions and please see Robbie if you haven’t received. Thanks to local companies https://fmgroupscotland.co.uk and https://allanhayroofingandbuilding.co.uk for their help in securing these

As always the club lounge is available for bookings for our members, wether its a birthday party, Christmas party or just a get together, our moveable seating allows us to meet all your needs

Player Sponsorship

It was great this week to launch our new player sponsorship for season 2022/23. Thanks to the local businesses and individuals who have already stepped up and contacted us. Thanks also to the players who have approached their employers, friends, family and neighbours. More sponsorship announcements are planned for next week.

If you’d like to join the Penicuik Rugby Family and sponsor a player please contact Gavin on sponsorship@penicuikrugby.org