We are 4 weeks away from cricket returning to the hallowed turf of Kirkhill and there is plenty to get excited about. We open the season against the touring Chesham CC side who will no doubt bring a great social occasion to the clubhouse on the 20th of April. Many at the club will be keen to know that our overseas amateur Lachlan Pedley arrives during the week and will be raring to go, jet lag left long behind. Rumours are Lachlan is a golfing man and loves scotch on the rocks so he’s already a sure-fire Scotsman – minus the ice.

On the cricketing side our coloured playing kit is ordered and due for delivery in ¾ weeks which is very exciting, each player has chosen their own squad number and will be instantly recognisable in the geometric swathes of maroon, red and black. A fearsome sight for all opposition. This season the club will be battling for promotion back to both the ESCA Championship and Division 4 respectively and we have seen steady growth in our playing ranks with a whopping 22 players averaged at each session of winter nets. Coach McDaid leading the way with engaging and productive sessions. Though, I am sure many are worried for when he breaks out the high catches early doors.

We have our club clean-up day coming up on the 30th of March and I encourage anyone who is reading this to make the effort to come up and do their bit even for a couple of hours. A lunch will be provided for all willing players. We will be up at the ground for 9:30 for a 10am start with a list of tasks to get the ground functional and looking good for cricket. Whether its weeding, power washing, painting or erecting nets please make the effort to come and help.

On sponsorship we were delighted to welcome The Cuikoo Bistro and Fyne Ales onboard this month in partnerships. The Cuikoo is a local restaurant serving the very finest pub grub and will be opening in the next few weeks. Fyne Ales have kindly stocked up our bar fridge and will continue to do so, the Loch Fyne based brewery has local owners and they have been very generous, we look forward to a continued relationship with both companies.

Why I play Cricket for Penicuik? – Finn Tait

A new section I will be including monthly is an opportunity for players like me to delve deep into the memories and unpack what makes playing our cricket at Penicuik so special. Having restarted this newsletter, I felt it was only fair I take the plunge first up.

I started playing cricket around 2012 when I was brought along to my first Kwik cricket festival with long time school pals Ollie Picken and Hew Murray. A non-starter when it came to batting or bowling but a fun day was had at Linlithgow under the tutelage of Jack Hilton. I took a small break from playing but rediscovered cricket when I went to school at Watsons and returned to play U13s Cricket for Penicuik. A budding seam bowler at that stage my future was bright. I remember distinctly taking my first wicket for the club in a pink ball U13s game at Inverleith, nicked off caught by Jack Easton in the gully, the elation was unmatchable!

Throughout juniors it was about playing a sport I loved with my friends, I have fond memories of netting for hours on end in Temple Park being peppered off 15 yards by pals totally obsessed with all things cricket. I remember sitting down once to watch Joe Root open the batting with Alistair Cook at Lords with Ollie, thinking to myself ‘I need to sit down and figure this game out’ and from then I was hooked. Staying up late into the night to watch Scotland get battered throughout the 2015 world cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Having made my adult debut around this time, one of the highlights of my career to date was putting on a century stand with Hew Murray against Edinburgh South. A glorious sunny day where after losing new first team captain Richard Adams agonisingly short of his century, we rebuilt the innings. I was joined at the crease by Hew who flayed his way to his own maiden 50 (an uncharacteristically speedy knock at the time) including a hilarious running of 5 to bring up his half century. The lasting memory walking off together to applause on a beautiful day at Kirkhill.

Triumph at Kirkhill is a feeling unlike any other, having played for the club for around 12 years it is certainly one I have found hard to replicate. Those who know me, know I play several sports and to this day I have not experienced a group quite so welcoming as the one we have here. Yes, you may get an earful when you flatter to deceive with the bat like I often do, or bowl darted off spinners halfway down the track. But it is the people that make this club, whether its games of killer pool in the bar after training or the individuals who make it. I find myself truly grateful for the experiences this club has given me.

The spirit of the place was encapsulated to me last season when after the final game (a crushing home win), the bar was packed with players from all levels and eras of the club for the return of awards night. While I won no prizes for my measly 11 wickets, it was amazing to feel the community spirit, a whole club coming together to celebrate a season gone by.

This is how this club is meant to be I thought, a thriving social hub, where all are welcomed regardless of background. This is a place for people who love both the sport and the social afterwards. This club is a special place and I hope I can contribute on and off the field for many years to come.

Thank you and see you next month,

Finn Tait
Secretary
secretary@penicuikcricketclub.org