The return of a somewhat regular club newsletter seemed like an important step to reconnecting with the club, so here I am with my best prose writing cap on ready to give you the ins and outs of all things cricket for the last few months.

So, Cricket is back! On Friday 23rd of Feb we had a cracking turnout of 24 cricketers down to our first preseason training session of all experiences with members of all teams as well as 6 juniors making their first appearances. By all accounts the session was well enjoyed and engagement from new and old players was excellent. We will be running these sessions every Friday night from 7-8:30 in Loretto sports halls for the next 6 weeks as we run into the new season.

Exciting developments aplenty on the cricketing side of things. The league has ratified the decision to play in coloured kit which we have designed and are getting ready to release publicly. Each player will have their own individual squad numbers and be decked out across all league fixtures. A huge thanks to Stevie Mitchell from Penicuik Landscapes and our very own Sandra Vick from Sandra Vick Art Classes who have stepped in as sponsors to subsidise playing kits from head to toe for 7 of our most exciting junior cricketers who have recently made the step up to adult cricket.

Stumps are also new with a generous donation of services and cash from Chris Tait Plumbing and Heating who has kindly purchased brand new stumps for not only our two senior sides but also our juniors too. Chris has also pledged his services and has assisted in our ongoing changing room renovations.

For those of who you who were saddened by the loss of our resident Australian Matt Collard, rejoice! We have signed another aussie for this season from Melbourne University we will be joined by Lachlan Pedley who will arrive in early April. Rumour has it he is a scotch man and loves a round of golf. He will also be joined by another aussie in Matt Horton who has qualified as a domestic player as he moves across to work and stay with family. Look out for the lefty from Perth in our ones side this year.

Cricket begins with a friendly against Chesham CC who are travelling from Buckinghamshire to play us on their northern tour on the 20th of April, keen eyed cricket fans would have seen their overseas pro is nonother than former protea Richard Levi. Now its unlikely the big South African would dare venture to the Cuik out of fear of our fearsome bowlers but it will still be an excellent spectacle and post-match social to boot. So all members are encouraged to get up to the club to support and watch the first game of the year.

Those who have seen the CS Challenge Cup draw will also know we have drawn Hillhead Cricket Club from the West End of Glasgow who we will host on the 2nd of June at Kirkhill.

On the junior side of things, we ran a highly successful February camp that was well received with new first team captain Richard Adams and I assisting Gary during the week. We look forward to welcoming our juniors back for our Easter Camp as we build into another awesome season for junior cricket at Penicuik.

Some housekeeping, if all members could send an email with their updated contact details to membership@penicuikcricketclub.org that would be fantastic.

The drive for sponsorship goes on as we push to install our new disabled bathroom plans alongside ordering in a livestreaming platform for the season so if anyone has any links who can contribute big or small it would be hugely beneficial for the club.

We look forward to welcoming everyone for our Karaoke Night on the 3rd of March and also seeing people return as we get closer and closer to cricket returning.

I promise I will improve and sound less like an announcer on a train once cricket is up and running but for the moment if anyone needs anything feel free to reach out to me at
secretary@penicuikcricketclub.org

All the best and welcome back,

Finn Tait
Secretary
Penicuik CC
secretary@penicuikcricketclub.org