Penicuik Petanque Club

The club have been involved in various competitions and following on from the last article were due to compete in the finals of the Scottish Club competition in Moffat. Penicuik had been drawn in the semi finals against Fochabers who were the holders and favourites. Despite our best efforts we were well beaten and so contested the third fourth place against Troon which we won after a hard fought competition. So third place not a bad effort and the club received a plaque from the President of SPA. Fochabers retained their title beating Inverlieth in the final.
The next competition involving club members was the Scottish doubles with three teams competing. Tom Mackenzie and Mike Goldsmith, John Macallister and Steve Halley and Jan Grieve and Jim Hiddleston. Each of the teams was drawn in a group of 4 with Group winnning teams going on to play in the main draw and eliminated teams playing in a plate competition. Tom and Mike were the only successful team going into last 16 winning their next game and into the last 8 of the main event before being eliminated. There was success however in the plate competition with Steve and John winning it in a good final against experienced opposition.
The last competition on the SPA calendar was played last weekend in pouring rain in Glasgow and it was an important Scottish Qualifier for the Celtic Challenge. Success for Robert Shortiss John Macallister and Steven Halley who qualified with Tom Mike and Jim just out of the qualification to represent Scotland. So congratulations to Robert John and Steve and we wish them well for next May.
We can also confirm that a new Terrain has been opened in Roslin Town Park with Club days at Tuesday 10.30am and Sundays at 2.30pm.
Lastly there is work being looked at to extend the Penicuik Terrain to make it big enough to hold major competitions. We are looking to have some form of club house but also picnic benches and other facilities to make the area a more social area for the Town. All of these plans though require funding and planning and that is what we are looking at currently.
As we are now in the winter months our Thursday night sessions are unlikely to go ahead but weather permitting we will continue on Saturdays at 11am.
Lastly we welcome new members and people wanting to try Petanque so come and have a go you will be very welcome.