BNSC NEWSLETTER

A fine morning to you all…

It has been a week of highs and lows…and on reflection, I’m not sure that all the highs will make up for the low….so let me start off with the low and build from there….

It is with sadness that I inform you that our Baseball and cricket sub-sections lost one of their up and coming stars of the future last week….Jamie Ludick, who was only 18 years of age…passed away after hitting his head in a Baseball match at the North last week against the concrete wall on the edge of the field….and after not feeling well the following day and reporting into a hospital in Springs where he fell into a coma…was then air-lifted and transferred to the Joburg Gen, where he did not recover during an operation on Tuesday evening…It is a massive shock to family, friends, fellow players and administrators alike… Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones on behalf of all of us her at the North…a memorial service will be held in his honour on Wednesday (20^th) at 10h00 in the Main Hall…with the unveiling of a plaque and his number at the Baseball Club shortly thereafter….

After a couple of weeks off on a Friday, I was back behind the mike at the draw this week and with the Joker draw now starting to climb to a sizeable value…we had a bumper turnout of people…and the beeeeg black box produced another “newbie”…. Norman Hunter had his moment to ponder the whereabouts of the Joker in front of the Joker cabinet…and despite all the jibes and chirping appeared quite calm and relaxed as he indicated his selection….which, when Glenda turned it over, proved to the two of clubs….so we have another roll over and the “pot” jumps over the 150k mark and settles at R151 538….we are now starting to talk some serious tin here…..definitely worth the effort to come through to the Club on Friday for a bit of a flutter….and with it being a long weekend and the school holidays….it will be a good excuse to take the kids out (there will be a jumping castle for them to expend some of their energy…) while Eben will be providing the entertainment for us….this talented muso has become a firm favourite with the Northerns faithful and I am sure that he will not disappoint….

Also remember that with Thursday being a holiday….we are making Wednesday into a “mini-weekend” and will have Karaoke in the Scimitar…could you all please oil your vocal chords…practice all your scales up and down at home….and showcase your talent at the North….I have it on good authority that Simon Cowell (of Idols fame) who is always on the lookout for new talent will definitely not be here at all…..and we will be starting from about 18h30…..

The cricketers were finally able to shake off some of the cobwebs that they have created over the last three weeks and were in a tenacious mood on Saturday when they met their arch rivals Kempton Park in the “do or die” play off to face Alberton in the finals on Sunday…. it was a little disappointing to see that the administrators decided to allow the show piece of their Club cricket in Easterns…relegated to the back field…as a Titans match is to played on the main oval…but be that as it may, Kurt won the toss and send Kempton in to bat…wickets fell at regular intervals with Kempton being reduced to 48/5 before their the talented Johan Fourie strode out to the middle and was the only player to show any resilience to the rampant Northerns attack….and accumulated and then smashed a bit too, finally scoring 72 off 97 balls…before thiry innings closed on 166 after 46.4 overs…the second highest score in their innings was Mr Extras who contributed 24 runs to the total…a miserable 11 wides were conceded and we were hoping that this bit of ill-discipline would not come to bite us….Phumelelo taking 4 for 28 in his 10 overs whilst Kundai took 3 /33 off 8,4 overs were our destroyers in chief in keeping the Kempton score down….our innings was cruising along quite nicely at 103/2…when the irrepressible Johan Fourie struck a double blow and suddenly we were 103/4 in the space of two balls….once the Kempton bowlers sensed that there was a vulnerability and a fragility that had crept into the Northerns batsmen minds..and then kept pressing and pressurising…and soon we were 113/6 and then 135/8….still needing 32 to win and now only 2 wickets remaining ….now with WP and Stef at the crease with a fairly sizeable task to complete…. but these two batted industriously and at times flamboyantly….to get within 9 of the target before Stef succumbed for  15 off 15 balls…and on strode our last hope…Phumlelo to try to assist WP to the target….the overs were also building up and when the last over started we were 161/9….. 6 runs remaining….the first ball proved to be a dot and meant the pressure was really on….second ball resulted a single as did the third….so 4 runs off three balls….I’m sure all the Northerns faithful chewed their nails down to the quick as the last three balls commenced….another single off the fourth and fifth meant that we needed to score two off the last ball of the match….WP was facing and I cannot imagine what was going through his mind….but he manfully stood up to the pressure and was able to secure a boundary off the final ball of the match…amidst much joy and celebration from his team mates and supporters alike…a magnificent victory…but now the job was only half done…as now we would have to face Alberton at the same venue the next day…Sunday…

Sunday dawned a beautiful day…and our boys had to put the euphoria of downing their old nemesis behind them and take on Alberton in the final…a side that had comprehensively beaten them a mere two weeks previously…and while Kurt once again won the toss he promptly asked the opposition to bat on a tricky surface….and the decision paid dividends almost immediately….with Alberton never really dominated the Northerns attack…..eventually being bundled out for 154 after just over 35 overs…. WP Myburgh this time showed his prowess with the ball…claiming 4 scalps at a cost of 32 in 7.4 overs….we had chased a similar total the day before…was it to be a similar result….but this time our top order came to the party to make it a little simpler for all…the lowest score in the top three being a brisk 36 off 33 by Vaughan….and by the time we lost our second wicket, we already had taken the heart out of the Alberton attack and were only 24 runs short of ultimate target….and we sailed past their total with the first ball of the 32^nd over….the mainstay of our innings was a patient 45 off 77 ball by Musa Twala…while Renier had weighed in an invaluable 48 off 53 to swing the scales in the favour of the North….absolutely amazing result…which means that we started the season with winning a trophy in Polokwane and ending it with another trophy…this time the ultimate that all Premier sides dream of at the home of Easterns Cricket…so well done to Nick, Kurt and all the boys….now the massive test awaits…. Club Champs in the next month or so…I will try to keep everyone up to speed on fixtures and timing….watch this space for further details….

Sunday saw the playing of all the baseball finals at the North…and again congratulations to Shaun and his team of ever willing volunteers…it was a fantastic day that was enjoyed by all…players and spectators alike….baseball is alive and well at the North…..that is super to see…

The rugby boys only had one match over the weekend, where their U21’s took on a Boksburg side that are in a league higher than us….and this time it was our opposition that had to sit up and take note of how well our boys have prepared and played….and we ran  out deserved 60-26 winners…. a great achievement boys….we are truly proud of you..

On the Junior front…..our two summer sports. Baseball and Cricket, recently held their prize giving…to honour the achievements and all the talent that we possess at the Club…and both Chairmen report that they enjoyed exceptionally successful seasons….well done to the Coaches and administrators who give up their time and knowledge to allow our youth to experience and enjoy the sport we all love so dearly…. Our winter sports are kicking into gear and will soon be running at full speed….with the soccer fields being the proverbial “hive of activity” on week nights…with the hockey players taking over the Club and playing fields on a Saturday morning…it is most heart warming to see the enthusiasm and commitment from all the parties concerned….well done!!

Our athletes took the trek to the Magaliesberg to compete in the “om die Dam” event…and from all the photographs and report backs…it proved to be a great day…congratulations to all those who completed this tough race and were rewarded with medals and their ever important times….those who did decide to stay home were put through some gruelling hill work…but I also saw many determined smiles after the practice, which meant that some valuable lessons were learned..please don’t forget the fun run at Northerns on Thursday morning…all proceeds in aid of spaying of dogs..

The soccer boys had proved that their trip to Luso was not a profitable one…as both side lost by the odd goal…..with both coaches bemoaning the fact that their sides threw away quite a few precious opportunities to score and seal the win….finally allowing the opposition in (in both cases) in the latter stages of the match to steal the wins….this week is to be our first home game of the season…a really tough encounter against Robertsham….so please feel free to come and support the boys showing us their talent and skills…kick-off is at 13h45 and 15h30 for the reserves and first side respectively…

My apologies for over running my allotted space this week…but there proved to be quite a bit to share with you on only some of the activities at the North in the last week… if there is anything you believe is noteworthy or needs to be brought to my attention…please do not hesitate to send me an email to rod.scheepers@gmail.com

Have a great week….if you are going on holiday…please drive carefully…we will see you on the other side of the autumn break… take care…cheers

Rod

Norman Hunter (Guest) drew the Two of Clubs . Joker Draw a turnover at R151 538.00 for Friday 22nd March. Be present to win it!!

 

At “The North” – Karaoke – Wednesday 20th March at 18h30. Come and join and show your talent 

“EBEN” entertaining us from 18h30 on Friday 22nd March 

 

BNCC Premier League Champions! Well done men! 5/9 Leagues won in Senior Cricket this Season. History made!

About the www.BNFC.co.za website:

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This website was created in order to provide a centralised platform for BNFC related administative issues and general information. On this website you shall be able to do the following:

• Event dates – lookahead;  Online registration renewal;  Order customised football clothing and equipment;  Rules, regulations and general information downloads;  Contact list for coaches;

Registrations and Pre-screening for Juniors will take place on Monday 6th May at Benoni Northerns Sports Club, 1 Brodigan Street, Rynfield . Unfortunately there will be no clinic held over the school holidays. Benoni Northerns are excited to welcome Junior Rugby