Week 15 of the League saw 5 of the Club’s 7 teams in action.
In what was perhaps one of their most disappointing displays of the season, Greig McDonell, David Melrose and Abby Wighton fell to a miserable 9-1 defeat at the hands of Edinburgh International 1. With no disrespect to our Edinburgh based opponents this fixture has normally provided good points for Team 1 – indeed the previous 8 meetings before this season between these teams has resulted in 6 wins, one draw and only one defeat for the Midlothian side – that’s some record – not this season – home and away have both resulted in 9-1 defeats, only Greig picking up a win on Wednesday night – he’s so disappointed with this turn of events he’s sulked away and said he’s not playing for the next month!!
In Division 1, Team 2 were looking to bounce back from their 9-1 loss against Edinburgh Int 2 as they faced West Lothian 3 at Bathgate. A 6-4 win in the first half of the season was reversed in the away fixture as Clive Liddiard, James Wighton and Charlie Brindley lost three crucial fifth end deciders in matches 2, 6 & 7 on the night. Our West Lothian friends pointed out, following our Facebook comment of this being a bad loss, that not all losses are “bad” losses. A team that you have already beaten, a team who were below you in the league table, a team that as a result of the loss end up leapfrogging you in said Division 1 table, a loss which drags you into a relegation fight, only 3 points clear of second bottom who have a game in hand – we think we might stick by our Facebook post – in fact this was a REALLY BAD loss for Team 2! Charlie won 2 and James and Clive added 1 each.
In Division 3, Team 4 faced a home match against West Lothian 7. Bizarrely, Team 3’s West Lothian opponents couldn’t make it because of the bad weather – they should have got a lift from their Club mates! In fairness, regular Louis McLeod couldn’t make it either because of snow but he was ably replaced by Julian Taylor who stole the show on the night winning his 3 whilst John Bald and Brian Bailey won 2 each. A doubles victory rounded off a good night for Team 4 as they secured an 8-2 victory.
To continue the theme of PTTC v WLTTC, Team 5 travelled to Bathgate to take on WL 6 – not that our Press Officer would know anything about that – for the first time this season a yellow card has been issued to a team for failing to pass on any details in relation to a league fixture. Maybe the reason for the failure was the bad weather? Maybe the busy working schedules of those involved? Maybe they each thought the other was going to report it? Maybe, and this is the bookies favourite, it’s because they suffered a 10-0 whitewash! Not much to report really apart from saying well done to Craig who dodged this one by sitting out!
In Division 4 Team 7 had the difficult task of facing Title contenders KLOS 2 at Ladywood. Phil Daly, Hannah McDonell and George Wilson played some good stuff, all winning ends against their high-flying opponents but in the end, they too went down to a 10-0 defeat. Kristian who was set to play was seemingly also protecting his averages having picked up a win last week against Haddington!
And so, to our Player of the Week Award for Week 15. Jings – not much to pick from this week!!! Let’s not let that detract, however, from a terrific performance for Julian who stepped up from Division 4 and comfortably won his 3 for Team 4 – well done to him for the second time this season!
Finally, our controversy of the week section. Postponements! We’re a club with limited hall availability. We’ve repeatedly been criticised by our own members for daring to interfere with Club night by trying to rearrange fixtures to a Thursday night (Well Clive repeatedly moans about it!). We struggle to field three man teams all the time. The League Schedule provides limited opportunity to get rearranged fixtures played. We made it clear at the start of the season that we should do all we can to avoid postponements. Anyone who reads this report regularly (anyone??) knows that our general feeling is that the Rues shouldn't allow for postponements - they just cause ill feeling between clubs. The controversy? We’re too nice! James (Nicest Team Captain of the Year Winner for 7 of the last 8 years) is clearly rubbing off on all of us. One match postponed because there was a bit of white stuff forecast – really – that’s normally our best chance of winning a match – people hate travelling to the different time zone and climate of hilly Penicuik – make them risk their lives for goodness sake! The other reason – EI can’t get their premises – EI, the same Club that are getting all uppity about £3.50 in fees they’ve paid for a former member, the same Club that have twice in one year probably ruined our Premier League status! Really!! Claim the game – it’s not our problem! Ah well, if anyone dare says we’re unfriendly…………. Oh - it seems Team 1 have got a couple of postponements of their matches over the next few weeks. How did that happen? Can you imagine the tone of this report had those not been agreed to! Thanks to Murrayfield and Fife for accommodating El Presidente’s sabbatical for a few weeks!
Finally, as a follow up on last week’s controversy, we understand our first £1 instalment has now been transferred to EI's needy Bank Account – only ten more to go – we love you really Edinburgh International!
In what was perhaps one of their most disappointing displays of the season, Greig McDonell, David Melrose and Abby Wighton fell to a miserable 9-1 defeat at the hands of Edinburgh International 1. With no disrespect to our Edinburgh based opponents this fixture has normally provided good points for Team 1 – indeed the previous 8 meetings before this season between these teams has resulted in 6 wins, one draw and only one defeat for the Midlothian side – that’s some record – not this season – home and away have both resulted in 9-1 defeats, only Greig picking up a win on Wednesday night – he’s so disappointed with this turn of events he’s sulked away and said he’s not playing for the next month!!
In Division 1, Team 2 were looking to bounce back from their 9-1 loss against Edinburgh Int 2 as they faced West Lothian 3 at Bathgate. A 6-4 win in the first half of the season was reversed in the away fixture as Clive Liddiard, James Wighton and Charlie Brindley lost three crucial fifth end deciders in matches 2, 6 & 7 on the night. Our West Lothian friends pointed out, following our Facebook comment of this being a bad loss, that not all losses are “bad” losses. A team that you have already beaten, a team who were below you in the league table, a team that as a result of the loss end up leapfrogging you in said Division 1 table, a loss which drags you into a relegation fight, only 3 points clear of second bottom who have a game in hand – we think we might stick by our Facebook post – in fact this was a REALLY BAD loss for Team 2! Charlie won 2 and James and Clive added 1 each.
In Division 3, Team 4 faced a home match against West Lothian 7. Bizarrely, Team 3’s West Lothian opponents couldn’t make it because of the bad weather – they should have got a lift from their Club mates! In fairness, regular Louis McLeod couldn’t make it either because of snow but he was ably replaced by Julian Taylor who stole the show on the night winning his 3 whilst John Bald and Brian Bailey won 2 each. A doubles victory rounded off a good night for Team 4 as they secured an 8-2 victory.
To continue the theme of PTTC v WLTTC, Team 5 travelled to Bathgate to take on WL 6 – not that our Press Officer would know anything about that – for the first time this season a yellow card has been issued to a team for failing to pass on any details in relation to a league fixture. Maybe the reason for the failure was the bad weather? Maybe the busy working schedules of those involved? Maybe they each thought the other was going to report it? Maybe, and this is the bookies favourite, it’s because they suffered a 10-0 whitewash! Not much to report really apart from saying well done to Craig who dodged this one by sitting out!
In Division 4 Team 7 had the difficult task of facing Title contenders KLOS 2 at Ladywood. Phil Daly, Hannah McDonell and George Wilson played some good stuff, all winning ends against their high-flying opponents but in the end, they too went down to a 10-0 defeat. Kristian who was set to play was seemingly also protecting his averages having picked up a win last week against Haddington!
And so, to our Player of the Week Award for Week 15. Jings – not much to pick from this week!!! Let’s not let that detract, however, from a terrific performance for Julian who stepped up from Division 4 and comfortably won his 3 for Team 4 – well done to him for the second time this season!
Finally, our controversy of the week section. Postponements! We’re a club with limited hall availability. We’ve repeatedly been criticised by our own members for daring to interfere with Club night by trying to rearrange fixtures to a Thursday night (Well Clive repeatedly moans about it!). We struggle to field three man teams all the time. The League Schedule provides limited opportunity to get rearranged fixtures played. We made it clear at the start of the season that we should do all we can to avoid postponements. Anyone who reads this report regularly (anyone??) knows that our general feeling is that the Rues shouldn't allow for postponements - they just cause ill feeling between clubs. The controversy? We’re too nice! James (Nicest Team Captain of the Year Winner for 7 of the last 8 years) is clearly rubbing off on all of us. One match postponed because there was a bit of white stuff forecast – really – that’s normally our best chance of winning a match – people hate travelling to the different time zone and climate of hilly Penicuik – make them risk their lives for goodness sake! The other reason – EI can’t get their premises – EI, the same Club that are getting all uppity about £3.50 in fees they’ve paid for a former member, the same Club that have twice in one year probably ruined our Premier League status! Really!! Claim the game – it’s not our problem! Ah well, if anyone dare says we’re unfriendly…………. Oh - it seems Team 1 have got a couple of postponements of their matches over the next few weeks. How did that happen? Can you imagine the tone of this report had those not been agreed to! Thanks to Murrayfield and Fife for accommodating El Presidente’s sabbatical for a few weeks!
Finally, as a follow up on last week’s controversy, we understand our first £1 instalment has now been transferred to EI's needy Bank Account – only ten more to go – we love you really Edinburgh International!
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