Penicuik Cricket Club ready to start new season

Penicuik Cricket Club are all set for the season opener at Dunnikier

One of the oldest clubs in Scotland founded in 1844 and currently the only active competitive club in Midlothian, Stuart & Stuart Penicuik CC have two adult teams competing in the ESCA league system.

The first XI competes in Division 1 and is pushing for promotion back to the Eastern Championship after a string of promotions in recent years.

They will be led by 20-year-old Ollie Picken who was elected the new first XI captain at the club agm and, despite his age, is an experienced cricketer who has represented East of Scotland at representative levels.

He will be ably assisted by club captain Scott Charleson and several elected experienced vice-captains to help him lead the squad.

The second XI will be led by Martin Juson, an experienced club player and effective batsman who will be assisted by Rob Airey to lead a very young squad in Division 6.

The club is looking to expand its reach in Midlothian and all new members are welcome young or old of all experience levels.

Training is held at their Kirkhill ground on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm with experienced team players leading structured and beneficial sessions.

The club is also well respected for its youth set up, headed by Jack Hilton who has led a renaissance of sorts with over 60 kids from under-10s to under-14s attending training on Friday nights.

The club has a rich history with several internationals, including John Blain one of Scotland's most accomplished cricketers and now one of Scotland's most qualified coaches and Misbah Ul-haq now Pakistan national coach and former Test captain.

The club also has a thriving social side with an on-site bar and lounge with pool table and regular social events including race nights, golf days and poker events as well as barbecues on the summer evenings.

The club is open to all and can be contacted through its various social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.