Weekends Pre-Match Preview – week 9

Pre- Match Review – Week 9

Its the start of the Autumn International series, we hear about the 1xv bonus point win, meet the player, around the clubhouse and the current players points.

Grab coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy the read

Club President : Gavin McQuillan

So a slightly quieter week around the club as we head into the first autumn test weekend. Thanks in advance to all those who have organised our sell out kids Halloween party this weekend. Brilliant to see it so well supported and I’m sure much fun will be had.

Rugby wise Good luck to the 2s as they welcome old rivals Corstorphine to Penicuik for a lunchtime kick off. A strong squad will be looking to build on last week’s performance so if you fancy some live rugby before the Scotland game I know the guys would appreciate a vocal home support.

Finally a local derby awaits the minis on Sunday as they make the short trip to Lasswade in what I’m sure will be a great example of the progress rugby in Midlothian continues to make. Have a good weekend Cheers Gav

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

Autumn International Series

The club will be showing the Scotland games over the next 4 weeks kicking off with the Australia game today at 17:30

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.

Director of Rugby : Mark Blair

Penicuik 1xv 54- 19 Dunbar

Tries : Adler x 3, Sprott x 2, Ketchen, Kaharau, Dean

Con : Malone (7)

Pens :

Let’s start with the positives. We bounced back from a defeat last weekend with a bonus point victory which gives the team confidence going into the International Series 3 week break. Additionally we put some day light between us and the lower placed teams in the league. Euan Reid put in a strong performance when he came on at the back row and should seriously consider a position change moving forward.

We were clinical when scoring our tries and got the ball into the right places, in the right hands to cross the white wash

However

We gave Dunbar far too much possession, allowed them to build up phases and let their big runners get up steam by not pushing up quickly in our defence line. We fed off their mistakes and indiscipline and thankfully our strike players were able to take advantage.

Steven Ketchen scoring the 3rd try of the afternoon. Full Album can be found https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527237562747487&type=3 and thanks to Bob Keith for his photography skills

Credit to the victory however can be attributed to 2 players. Ross Liddle came out of his self imposed semi-retirement exile to fill a James Hogg sized hole at stand off. He controlled the game and quick thinking led to several tries. But, it was Robbie MacTaggart that ensured the win. We suffered a front row malfunction before the game and phoned Robbie at 14:15, although he was on a family day out at Kirkcaldy with his son he agreed to travel back the 18 miles and was on the sideline by 15:05. Although ultimately he was never used, the rules state if we had no other front row cover we would only have been allowed 15 players with no substitutes allowed, and given we lost Andy Young to an injury after 20mins we would have had to play the remainder of the game with 14 players.

If you have front row experience and fancy a game please drop me a message or email info@penicuikrugby.org

Next up is Hawick Linden in 3 weeks at home.

2xv coach : Rich Mann

Penicuik 2xv 12 v 43 Currie 3xv

Tries : L.Randall, Graham

Con : McCormick

Pens :

*****2xv review here*****

Weekend Squad

Its great to welcome back Jacob Lee onto the bench after his injury in the opening week of the season. Paul Hope also returns from injury whilst Luke Randall moves to full back. Jones and Graham make up our exciting back 3. Plenty experience and power on the bench

1xv captain : Aidan Dean

Following this seasons theme, after a lost from Corstorphine the week before we come back with a great BP win against Dunbar.

Somewhat did what we set out to do with a bucket load of tries, some tasty ones at that. Still lots to work on and hopefully we can utilise the 3 full weeks of training before going into our next game against Hawick at home.

Hope the boys watch some good standard of international rugby this week, and if they don’t fancy that then Scotland are also playing. I’ll be down the club at some stage to catch some of the live games in the club house the next few Saturdays, as always as an Irish and English supporter one of my teams will surely be a victor!

Meet the player

Ewan Taylor

Ewan joined us in season 2021/22 from Trinity. Still a youngster he has grown into the team this season and we are looking to for great things from Ewan in the years to come.

Now if he only he can stop trying to to beat his deadlift records the Fridays before match days!

Position : No.8

Age : 19

Favourite chat group : The players 1xv chat, I’m being taught a thing or two

Last song listened Spotify/Apple musics etc : Paint it Black

Current box set watching : Better Call Saul

Current job : Currently a student at Edinburgh College

Who do you sit next to in changing room : Andy Young

Mini Rugby This Weekend

In and around the Club House

One of our retro strips got a run out on Saturday

The captain of Tooting Bec Old Boys RFC forgot the team shirts last weekend, resulting in the team taking the field in what ever jersey they had. Rab Brook ran onto the pitch sporting his U18’s strip from back in the day. Rab (selected at 12) helped his team run out 34-16 winners over Croydon RFC, a win that see’s Tooting Bec keep their unbeaten record and sit top of the league. Good luck to Rab for the rest of the season and did someone mention a touring game?????

Speaking of touring games… A reminder to players we are hosting Welsh side Garndiffaith RFC for their centenary tour on Friday 26th May (Hunter and Lass weekend) kick off time to be confirmed but beers and the shows afters are on the cards

With the news this week local pub Mothers is set to close a reminder our lounge is open on Fridays from 7:30pm and will show as much live sport as possible. Please use the bar facilities you have available.

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

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:

C.Martin (No. 57 – £87.75)
M.Jackson (No. 19 – £35.50)
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

The 8 try haul on Saturday has seen the scoreboard change. Malone remains out in front with his goal kicking display. We now have 3 players on 5 tries, with Aidan snapping away on 4. Just out of picture is Ally McCormick also on 20 points, however a good result against Corstorphine at the week could see Ally move up the charts