Match Day Programme PLRFC V Falkirk, 29 October 2022

Wee message from our President ……..

Welcome to The Pennypit for today’s National League Division 2 fixture. A warm welcome to the players, coaches, committee and supporters from Falkirk RFC.

We are in the 2nd of a 3-match run of home fixtures. Thank you all for continuing with the fantastic support. The 1st XV dug in last week; securing a crucial 5-point win against Hamilton Bulls. The 2nd XV continued with an impressive run of victories. It is clear many clubs are struggling to fulfill fixtures in the reserve leagues. We are committed to trying to drive up our numbers in the senior squad to ensure we can, whenever possible, fulfill fixtures across both senior leagues. Playing for our badge is key to pushing forward. Thank you to all our players, backroom support team and to you, our supporters who play a big role too.

Following the October break, it’s great to have the boys’ youth squads back in action this weekend against Knox Academy. Hard work continues in the girls’ squad too –it’s been fantastic to see them at senior games and enjoying time back in the clubhouse. The U14s & U16s are taking part in the next round of the East Region Evolution Series at Meadowmill. The minis take a wee break from rugby this weekend to enjoy their Halloween Parties at the club. A big shout out to those organising everything on Sunday.

Back at the clubhouse, we are delighted to confirm that the Scotland v Australia game will be shown live in the lounge.

Straight after the game, our first Oktoberfest at PLRFC takes place. Thank you to everyone who has worked hard to deliver this event. Last minute tickets are available at the tea/coffee tent and back at the bar in the club. You can also book your team in for the Club Quiz on 26 November.

The PL Pitstop to the south side of the stand is again offering hot drinks. Here’s to another great day of rugby at The Pennypit. Please join us back at the clubhouse afterwards.

Simon Fairbairn

Paul Dixon sponsored by Colin & Anne Marie Dixon

Raymond Mackie sponsored by Dynamic Property Solutions

Harris Weir sponsored by The Weir Family

Murray Ferguson available to sponsor

Jack Pollard sponsored by T.ward Shipping Ltd

Scott Brown Sponsored by The Brown Family

Eck Allan sponsored by WBA BB Criminal Defence Solicitors

Jack Gordon (C) sponsored by Pat & Gerry O’Brien

Morgan Foulner Sponsored by Prestongrange Décor

Scott Clark sponsored by East Air Conditioning

Aaron Morton available to sponsor

Nathan Ross Available to sponsor

Falgate Sponsored by The Muppets

Hillhouse sponsored by Tam Jardine

Hughes sponsored by Dynamic Property Services

James Johnstone sponsored by Rod Allan

Lachlan Graham sponsored by ‘THE’ Ladies

Jordan Hare Sponsored by Shampoodles

Jack Quinn

by Dean Quinn

S Serafini

A Gillespie

D Ashworth

G Dodd

S Yarrow

G Brodie

K Ross

S McCulloch

H Russell

G Faulds

A Goulley

E Cassells

A Graham

G Ramsay

C Faulds

N Chisholm

B Watson

C Ronald

T Paul

PLRFC BAR NEWS

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE

On behalf of all senior players and our coaching team, I would like to welcome you to Pennypit Park.

Last season was a real crazy one. Coming back after COVID, no team really knew where they stood. After a long discussion our key aim was to survive in the league given a few players and coaches had moved on. That suddenly took a turn after a great win against promotion favourites, Stew Mel and we embarked on a 7 game unbeaten run. This really showed what great character and team spirit we had last season. Unfortunately, we just missed out on promotion but finished strongly in 5th with some great wins to remember.

This season we will be looking for a higher place finish and hopefully pushing for promotion. We have had outstanding commitment from the boys at training and great to see some familiar faces return to the club with a good number of colts coming through. We’ve set our standards and team goals about where we want to be and get to over the next few years. I feel this really showed against premiership Musselburgh; taking the win in the Jardine cup. This meant a lot to us and the club. We also have a great coaching environment with Steedy, Clydie, Davie and Brady continuing their roles also the bonus of spud (John Anderson) & Blair Cowan helping with scrum, lineout and breakdown work, and Fraser Woods coming in as our media manager and fellow team manager. The work these guys have put in should not go unnoticed. It has been nothing short of outstanding.

We are mainly a very young team with some experienced heads which is great, but more importantly we have a lot of boys who are hungry to learn and improve. We are pushing hard to get out 2 competitive teams this year and looking to give you all something to cheer about . As always, your support it’s massively appreciated, and we would all love to see as many of you down at the Pennypit on match day.

Thanks again,

Jack JACK GORDON

Proud sponsor of Jack

Good luck to our

taking part in the

Region Evolution Series at Meadowmill tomorrow from 11am.

Great to have the boys back in action today against Knox Academy

NEIL CLYDE

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

I played my first game for PL rugby club in 1984 at the age of 15 on the wing for the 3rd XV against Royal High at the Jock’s Lodge pitches. I remember it well, as I was still at school and thought all my Christmases had come at once when the card came through the post on the Friday (yep selection cards were posted out to all 5 teams!). I continued playing for the first XV on and off up until 2004, when I retired from competitive rugby. A few years were spent on the touchline next to Rod Allan, but for the sake of my hearing I had to take up another role and have been strength and conditioning coach for the club for the last 4 seasons. I played my final game last year (against my better judgement) so I think after 38 years it’s time to hang the boots up or perhaps burn them, just to make sure…

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR THE SEASON

Welcome back to Preston Lodge and the Pennypit as the 2022/23 season gets underway. After a glorious summer I think everyone is ready to get back to a bit of rugby A new season to build our hopes for the coming campaign and look forward to all the best this great game of ours can deliver.

Last year yielded a fifth place finish in the league which after two seasons lost to the pandemic was a great result; we started out focusing on simply securing our place in the league and ended up delivering a great string of results with many memorable games on route against some very tough competition. At no point though did we look in danger of dropping and instead at points the prospect of promotion was tantalisingly close.

This season we find ourselves in great spirits with high hopes for the campaign ahead. A lot of hard work and prep has already been invested so we’re all primed to dive straight into the campaign ahead. Mark Steedman has stepped up to the Director of Rugby role, we’ve expanded our coaching team and a lot of hard yards have been put in the training field. Again, we continue our programme of investment in the game with new rucking shields, turtle pads, crash pads, step ladders and even GPS all lined up to help us get the best out of training. This has undoubtedly helped all our teams train harder and more effectively and our senior team has never been in better shape. The road ahead is looking positive.

However, before the season properly gets underway, it goes without saying, a huge thank to you the many, many people for all the support they give in making the club what it is. To our generous sponsors, a hard working committee, the volunteers and parents who give up time to help out and of course all the players from the youngest mini to the oldest senior player To you all, you have my deepest thanks. Without your tireless support and contribution, none of this would be possible.

So here’s to the season ahead, with high hopes, big ambitions, and a big does of optimism for what this year’s campaign will bring.

Simon Fairbairn

Davy

Rugby Development Officer

The youth boys’ programme is now in full swing as is the mini section. All squads are back at training and The School of Rugby at the high school has restarted. We have a major increase in numbers for The School of Rugby across all age groups which is fantastic. We plan to run programmes at the primary schools as soon as possible. Each age group now has a programme to work on this term leading up to Christmas.

Some of our boys are currently playing at representational level with East Lothian Falcons. One of the lads is currently with the Scotland U18 squad which is a fantastic achievement. Our aim for the season is to keep developing skills and increasing numbers within age groups.

The School of Rugby programme continues in partnership with Preston Lodge High School. This is a long established relationship on which we continue to build. Anyone looking to join the squads or get involved with the School of Rugby can drop me a message at plrfcdevofficer@gmail.com.

Dom Coertzer

VOLUNTEERS

A huge thank you to everyone who offers their help at Preston Lodge RFC. It takes a huge effort to manage a rugby club & it’s impossible without you. Please give us a shout if you can help in any way.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership packages are available now. Drop Carol Quinn a message with any queries, plrfcmemberbership@gmail.com. Please ensure you send Carol a completed form to help ensure your details are up to date and we comply with data protection issues.

SPONSORSHIP @ PLRFC

Debbie Hare our Business Development Manager, plrfcbusiness@gmail,com is always happy to discuss our sponsorship package We can all do our bit by networking across our personal and professional contacts.

BOOKING THE FUNCTION HALL

The clubhouse can be booked for a variety of events including birthdays, engagements, weddings, baby showers, gender reveals and many more. Drop our diary coordinator a message at plrfcgrangebookings@gmail.com

Did someone say road trip?

Book seats on the away team bus via our Facebook page or speak to Gemma.

PLRFC ON TOUR

Proud sponsor of Scott Clark

Jack Gordon (C)

Finlay Hughes (VC)

Pat & Gerry O’Brien

Dynamic Property Solutions

Jack Pollard T ward shipping Ltd

Luke Reynolds Archie McEwan

Blair Robertson Brian Robertson

Paul Glynn

The Glynns & Guineys

Morgan Foulner Prestongrange Decor

James Johnstone

Rod Allan

Jordan Hare Shampoodles Dog Grooving

Raymond Mackie Dynamic Property Solutions

Paul Dixon Colin & Anne-Marie Dixon

Scott Thomson Signature Security Solutions

Scott Clark East Air Conditioning

Jamie Gallagher Frank & Gillian Gallagher

Ryan Clark Karen & David Clark

Scott Brown Sheila & Billy Brown

Allan Whittingham

Joe Ray

Jack Quinn Dean Quinn

Eck Allan WSA BB Criminal Defence Lawyers

Cameron Simpson J Hastie & Son

Blair Cowan East Air Conditioning Ciaran Foulner Prestongrange Decor

Harris Weir

Chris Dixon

Weir Family

Joe Ray

Ali Steele Stan Murray Zmijewski

Dale Gordon One For The Road Gus Hillhouse Tam Jardine

Fraser Falgate

The Muppets Lachlan Graham ‘THE’ Ladies

Proudly sponsoring Scott Thomson

GIRLS’ RUGBY AT PRESTON LODGE RFC

Our girls continue to grow as a squad playing across U14, U16 & U18 age groups. This is one of the fastest growing areas of the game. Last season our U16s made it all the way to Murrayfield as Scottish Cup finalists .

The squads generally train Mondays & Wednesdays. Drop the coaches an email for further details eastlothiangirlsrugby@gmail.com

Proud sponsor of

KIRKCALDY

NATIONAL

FRIDAY

PEEBLES

2022

BERWICK RFC

BOROUGHMUIR

FALKIRK RFC DUMFRIES SAINTS

LASSWADE RFC

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2022

BOROUGHMUIR

CARTHA QUEENS PARK RFC

KIRKCALDY RFC

UMFRIES SAINTS RFC FALKIRK

LASSWADE RFC PRESTON

HAMILTON BULLS

CURRENT LEAGUE

EAST RESERVE LEAGUE DIVISION

LISMORE

CORSTORPHINE

SATURDAY

CALEDONIAN

CORSTORPHINE 2ND

DALKEITH 2ND XV

OCTOBER 2022

RESTON LODGE

WALKERBURN

WATSONIAN 3RD

EDINBURGH NORTHERN 2ND

PENICUIK 2ND

MAN

THE MATCH