Pre- Match Review – Week 8

This weekend, we hear about the return home from the Capital with losing bonus points only, our World Cup reporter, in and around the clubhouse news.  And also the current player points standings to date.

Grab coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy the read

Club President : Gavin McQuillan

As we head into the weekend I can’t quite believe today is the half way point of the league season as we welcome Dunbar to Penicuik.

The first team sits well placed in mid table with some positive results and the odd missed opportunity not helped by a very long list of injuries and varying player availability. It really shows how well placed we are that we can still field two very competitive teams this week including the welcome return of Swid and Craw. With many other teams around the leagues continuing to struggle for numbers is a huge achievement to be fielding two competitive teams today.I know both squads would really appreciate your positive support so if you fancy an afternoon of rugby you know where to come.

Slightly further afield it was great to see Sarah make her World Cup debut last weekend. Hopefully by the time you are reading this Scotland will have beaten New Zealand however no matter the result the team have done themselves and their nation proud and I’m sure inspired many of the next generation of girls to give rugby a go.

Have a good weekend Cheers Gav

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

2021 Rugby World Cup

Last weekend saw Scotland come agonizing close to victory over Australia, but it wasn’t to be and sadly another close defeat was inflicted.  Congratulations to Sarah Law who came off the bench to win a World Cup cap.

Scotland go again on Saturday morning 4:45am

If your alarm clocks weren’t set, the game is available on catch up.

World Cup Diary

So it’s the final round of the pool stages. We’ve spent the week on the South Island in some achingly beautiful countryside. Mountains, fiords, snow on the tops, sunshine – the kind of place you never want to leave. But leave we must, and we head back to Whangärei for the showdown with the hosts knowing that all Scotland need to do is win to get through to the quarter finals. It could all have been in the bag by now and that, along with Sarah’s limited involvement, is a major frustration. Still in their own hands though. Once more, we travel in hope.

Regardless of the outcome, we and all the other parents, partners, siblings and friends who have made the long trip will be there for all the squad.

‘Mon Scotland!

Director of Rugby : Mark Blair

Penicuik 1xv 26- 36 Corstorphine

Tries : Sprott, Ketchen, Alder, Isikeli

Con : Malone (3)

Pens :

We had this game, 18 mins to go we had recovered from 19-7 down to lead 21-19 following a succession of well worked tries.  Then we switched off and the score ran away from us to 36-21.

It doesn’t matter who decided not to bother turning up for the game, the Corstorphine players wanted the game more and got about the park more.  Just because you make a tackle or give a pass doesn’t mean you’ve carried out a role, the game requires attention for the whole 80mins.  Did I fill in the gap in the defence? Did I cover the tail of the lineout to prevent an easy catch?  Did I get off the ground quickly enough to recover and help my team mates out?  Was I willing to play through the pain barrier to get that precious away win?  These are the questions the players now have to ask themselves moving into this weekend.

Full Photo Album can be foundhttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.522592409878669&type=3 Credit to Bob Keith

This weekend we are at home to Dunbar, a team we have recently done well against at home (lets not talk about our away form there) however they are hovering just below us in the league and any mistake will see us drop further down.

We need a massive energy push, this is the last game until the 12th November and the players need to leave everything out on the field.

Weekend Squad

It’s great to be able to call up the calibre of a player like Ross Liddle against Dunbar.  We are looking forward to seeing him run the game from 10.  This allows Aidan to move back to his natural centre position and also Steven Ketchen back to wing.  Gavin Holmes steps up from the 2’s to cover the front row with Cockinasiga replacing Sean Kitching at tight head.

We are light in replacements and hopefully the players have plenty energy in their legs.

2xv coach : Rich Mann

Penicuik 2xv 22 v 26 Edinburgh Northern

Tries : L.Randall, Hawkins, M Randall

Con : Findlay  (2)

Pens : Findlay

Weekend Squad

Paddy returns to the team following the birth of his child, filling in for Gav Holmes who steps up to the 1xv.  Cameron Crawford continues his recovery from injury and starts at No.8.  We have a very light bench with the coaching team taking 16-18 and will be used in event of emergency only.

1xv captain : Aidan Dean

Sometimes you just have to take your medicine and move on.  We put up a fight to come back but didn’t dig in and defend when we needed to last weekend.

This weekend we are back at home and a victory is well within our reach.  The guys know what they have to do.

Meet the player

Kaihe Kaharau

Electric winger Kaihe joined us from Leith last season after moving into the area.  He quickly found his feet and has formed a great connection with the current batch of youngsters in our backline.

Very rarely seen without his baseball cap.

Position : winger

Age : 29

Favourite chat group : The players 1xv chat, could share some great stories…..

Last song listened Spotify/Apple musics etc : logic therapy music

Current box set watching : American horror story

Current job : refrigeration and air conditioning engineer

Who do you sit next to in changing room : I try to sit by myself to get in the zone 😂

In and around the Club House

Its Autumn International season and thanks to our sponsors we are looking to show as much Saturday rugby as possible.

Scotland kick off 17:30 on Sat 29th October, lets try to get as many members as possible into the clubhouse to build up a great Atmosphere

We are asking members to step forward and help cover the bar on match days 4-6pm, please speak to Robbie if you’ve got a couple hours you can spare, the more members help out the more we can spread the load

Halloween party planning is in full mode, our Mini’s are hosting their annual Halloween party/disco on Friday 28th October at 6pm.  For tickets please see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minimicro-halloween-party-tickets-440345082997

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 September were:

  1. C.Martin (No. 57 – £87.75)
  2. M.Jackson (No. 19 – £35.50)
  3. A.Wilson (No. 59 – £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 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

our new player sponsorship for season 2022/23 is still going.  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

2022/23 Player Points

Next Week

Its the start of the Autumn internationals so no senior rugby

All sides resume training.

On Sunday our mini’s head over to Lasswade

Penicuik Rugby Principal Sponsors

Penicuik Rugby Player Sponsors