Warm greetings from the North

Another stunning day has dawn on the Highveld in Gauteng…..and our Indian summer continues….Mother Nature did strike back for a little while and sent in some cool breezes to remind us that it is only August…..but the traditional August winds have not arrived as yet….and as my farmer mates from Newcastle would react…..they would look into the distance and look concerned and wise…and say….we need the winds for the September rain and that may mean poor crops…..so please let the wind blow….so that the rains may be wide and plentiful…..I have noticed that my car is really dirty and dustier than normal so I really want the wind to settle the dust and get everything to start growing again…..my trees at home have had their blossoms and there are now their brilliant green leaves are awaiting the rain to allow the fruit bearing procedure to work in earnest…..this is my first year in my new home, so I have a new crop of fruit and nuts awaiting me….I can’t wait….

Friday night was a most festive affair with Billy and Martin providing the entertainment….and the crowd enjoyed singing along and dancing both in the Scimitar and in the Beer Garden….and we had a really great evening….this week we have a new duo to grace the North….on this side of the great divide….as Nikita and Richard will be appearing in the Scimitar to entertain us this week….they come highly recommended…so please come and enjoy your start to the weekend at Northerns….

Just before I get into the Joker draw results for last week…..in compliance with the published terms and conditions of the Joker draw, could I ask that everyone ensures that the Joker draw tickets that are completed by the individual themselves, must please contain their own name or if it is a partnership, to contain one or two identifiable names…..or a unique nickname that the person is generally known by….. not a combined name that could relate to any group or team at the Club…..this will avoid any confusion at draw time….

At the Joker draw last week, after an initial false start….Martin Iske had his name pulled from the beeeeeg black box again….and his luck at being drawn again, did not improve his ability at finding the elusive Joker…and his choice on the right just above the centre line….proved to be the Ace of Hearts….amid roars of approval from the waiting and expectant crowd…..the Jackpot now climbs into the 70’s…..and settles at R71 144….so it is ready and waiting for you to come and collect your money this Friday….at only R5 a ticket you could win the Jackpot…please pop along to try your luck…we would love to have you with us…..

Saturday saw our Rugger buggers hosting the junior ladies 7’s tournament…..and according to their spokesmen…it was a roaring success…..loads of great rugby played…plenty of excitement….and even though the beer garden was not as frequently used…as all the players were school children…..Lourens and his crew kept the consumption levels up by trying to beat the previous weekend record for brandy sales…..and I think they came pretty close in achieving their target….well done on a super weekend of rugby guys….

The soccer boys had weekend matches away at Randburg…..against a traditionally strong opposition…that have been a quality side for many years…..and in a complete turnaround we were able to bring home four points….a rare feat by any of the Super League sides…..  the second side were at their quality best and scored some fantastic goals and were able to return with three points and savoring a 4-1 win…..the first side were the better side throughout the encounter…having Randburg on the back foot with quality passing, possession and positioning….. but poor finishing allowed the opposition to keep a share of the spoils at the end of the day with 1-1 being the final result… this week the first side play Olympia in a cup match in mid-week….while the reserves have to replay the Sporting fixture in a travesty of justice ruled on by the disciplinary committee…also in a mid-week clash…..both sides are back at the North this weekend against Zwide and hopefully can use the crowd and local conditions to bag a full house of points….good luck to both sides….

Hockey was back in full force on the weekend and it was marvelous to see the beer garden full of sides on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning….as we run into the end of the season….things are starting to hot up as the teams vie for the top spot…whilst at the bottom, all the stragglers are making sure that they do not end up with the wooden spoon….

The caravan, which is our mobile bar and is to be known as “The Coach”, will soon be making its presence felt at the Astro where it will be deployed on the weekends to sooth the parched throats in the area….please be on the lookout for our new addition….

Also diarise our two big events in the next two week…..Mango Groove are appearing at the North next Saturday (31^st) in the “Big day out”…. and then the week after that on the 7^th and 8^th we will have the Smile Festival (Glimlag Fees) for a weekend of Afrikaans music, which is going to be a first for us at the North….and hopefully the start of a long relationship…the organisers are very excited about the event…and it looks like they will attract some bumper crowds….both of these should be epic….please join us…

I hope you all have a fantastic week….Take care…Rod

Benoni! Are you ready for a BIG Day Out!
We have invited *Mango Groove* to join us in a celebration of all things East Rand! Bring your friends, bring your family and let’s make it a day to remember! There will be delightful drinks, awesome food and fantastic entertainment all day long! Kids under 14 are FREE, accompanied by an adult. No entry to 15-17 years olds: Alcohol will be served at this event and unfortunately the organisers cannot risk under age drinking at the event.
Benoni Beer & Gin Fest sold OUT so get your tickets early!
Online Tickets:
https://www.howler.co.za/bigdayout
– Limited early bird tickets available at R120 a ticket (plus R6 booking fee).
– Normal entry: R140 (plus R6 booking fee).
– At the door: R160

Martin Iske (Social) drew the Ace of Hearts – Joker Draw a turnover at R71 144.00 for Friday 23rd August. Be present to win!!