Match Day Programme Preston Lodge v Dumfries Saints, 18 February 2023

PRESTON LODGE RFC V

DUMFRIES SAINTS RFC

18 FEBRUARY 2023, KO 2pm PENNYPIT PARK

Welcome back to Saturday afternoon rugby at The Pennypit. It’s fantastic to have both senior squads in action today with the 2nd XV away at Penicuik. A very warm welcome to our visitors from Dumfries Saints. Let’s get behind our lads again today.

It’s Ladies Day and there is always a great buzz in the stand. Thank you to Jennifer and her team for putting together another fantastic day.

Our youth & minis are taking a break during this week’s school holidays.

Many of you will have seen our Former Players’ Day advertised online. Tickets are now available via Eventbrite – check our socials & your emails. There is a limited number available at the bar. This is always a great day to catch up and recount old stories of what a player you were!! Grab your tickets herehttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/former-players-day-tickets550902332707.

Trailer Trash is back pitchside today with Ben’s amazing burgers and hot & cold drinks. Our own PL Pitchside Pitstop is on holiday this week with many of our volunteers enjoying Ladies Day.

Looking forward to another great day of rugby. Join us back at the clubhouse afterwards.

PRESTON LODGE RFC DUMFRIES SAINTS

Today’s Match Official

John Smith

THANK YOU

Today’s

Mascots

Rhys Van Rietveldes

Aaron Van Rietveldes

Today’s

Match Ball Sponsor

Tam Jardine

David Ramsay

Brian Brotherstone

THANK YOU

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…

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PRESTON LODGE RFC

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE

On behalf of all senior players and our coaching tea, 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,

LADIES DAY 2023

A huge thank you to Jennifer Brown and her team for all their efforts in putting together another fantastic Ladies Day.

Have a fantastic time and make sure we can hear you in the stand.

Job Role: Apprentice Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer

We have an excellent opportunity available for an ambitious candidate. We are based in East Lothian and carry out work across Scotland. The successful applicant will combine working onsite immediately with attending college to work towards successfully gaining a SVQ level 3 in Refrigeration or Air Conditioning.

The successful candidate must:

�� Have an enthusiasm and ambition to learn a trade

�� Have Excellent Timekeeping

�� Hold a driving licence or have a desire to gain a driving licence

�� Take pride in their work

All tools, PPE and transport will be provided along with a competitive salary, company pension and bonus scheme.

To apply, please send your CV to info@eastaircon.co.uk

RESPECT

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in our game. We should all play a part in ensuring we continue to offer a fun, safe and inclusive environment at PLRFC both on & off the field.

RESPECT is a core value of our sport and our club.

Please remain respectful of players, spectators, match officials & visitors.

ONE CLUB ONE COMMUNITY

Proud sponsor of Jack Pollard

YOUTH RUGBY

Well done to the lads who have recently been selected to play in East Lothian & Borders Academy matches. A fantastic achievement and it’s always great to see the club continually represented at these levels.

U16 GIRLS ASPIRING LEAGUE WINNERS

Massive congratulations to our girls U16 squad.

#eastlothiangirlsrugby

#oneclubonecommunity

#driveonpl

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.

Mini Section

Sunday morning at The Pennypit is the place to be for fun, engaging rugby sessions. Sessions are open to all kids P1-P7 and help build teamwork, communication, co-ordination, balance, throwing, catching and problem solving.

Follow our socials, @prestonlodgerfc, @plpirates for full details. Most sessions are 10.30-11.30 am, Sundays at The Pennypit.

Drop us a message anytime at prestonlodgeminirugby@gmail.com

Davy & Lynsey Scott

Mini Rugby Convenors

School off Rugby

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.

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.

Proud sponsor of Scott Clark

Jack Gordon (C)

PLAYER SPONSOR BOARD 2022/23

Pat & Gerry O’Brien

Finlay Hughes (VC) Dynamic Property Solutions

Jack Pollard

Luke Reynolds

Blair Robertson

T ward shipping Ltd

Archie McEwan

Brian Robertson

Paul Glynn The Glynns & Guineys

Morgan Foulner

Prestongrange Decor

James Johnstone Rod Allan

Jordan Hare

Raymond Mackie

Paul Dixon

Shampoodles Dog Grooving

Dynamic Property Solutions

Colin & Anne-Marie Dixon

Scott Thomson Signature Security Solutions

Scott Clark

Jamie Gallagher

Ryan Clark

Scott Brown

Allan Whittingham

Jack Quinn

East Air Conditioning

Frank & Gillian Gallagher

Karen & David Clark

Sheila & Billy Brown

Joe Ray

Dean Quinn

Eck Allan WSA BB Criminal Defence Lawyers

Cameron Simpson

J Hastie & Son

Blair Cowan East Air Conditioning

Ciaran Foulner

Harris Weir

Chris Dixon

Ali Steele

Prestongrange Decor

Weir Family

Joe Ray

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

Proudly

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2023

BERWICK RFC 2:00 PM CARTHA QUEENS PARK RFC

BOROUGHMUIR 2:00 PM LASSWADE RFC

FALKIRK RFC 2:00 PM HAMILTON BULLS

GLASGOW ACCIES 2:00 PM PEEBLES RFC

NEWTON STEWART2:00 PM KIRKCALDY RFC

PRESTON LODGE 2:00 PM DUMFRIES SAINTS RFC

SATURDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2023

BERWICK RFC 44 – 17 HAMILTON BULLS

Rescheduled from 10.12.22 (Frozen Pitch)

BOROUGHMUIR 50 – 43 KIRKCALDY RFC

Rescheduled from 26.11.22 (Abandoned - Referee Injury)

DUMFRIES SAINTS 12 – 22 FALKIRK RFC

Rescheduled from 10.12.22 (Frozen Pitch)

NEWTON STEWART41 – 26 GLASGOW ACADEMICALS RFC

Rescheduled from 10.12.22 (Frozen Pitch)

EAST RESERVE LEAGUE

Teams split after 10 fixtures into top 6 and bottom 5 for a further round of fixtures

THEMED TEEPEE SLEEPOVERS

KIDS WEDDING CORNERS

SPECIAL CELEBRATION TEEPEES

GARDEN PICNIC TEEPEES

PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING

THE PLRFC MATCH DAY MASCOTS

THE BIG COMMUNITY PASS CHALLENGE 2022