The Scimitar 9 Oct 2019
A summery (and Manny….no not summary…..summery….a new Rod word) and fresh good morning to all….
The weather has been amazing the last little while and I hope that everyone has been able to get out and enjoy it….it is the weather to be exercising or soaking up the sun….or even just enjoying a braai with friends….this is what makes South Africa so amazing…. the wind has lost it “bite” in the last few days and I am loving it….
We are still in the throes of the final world cup play-off matches, with almost everyone left with only a solitary match to decide their fate….And albeit I have said that Japan have been the David of the tournament….it should not be forgotten that these men in fact won the same number of matches in the pools as the Boks and Scotland in their group in the 2015 RWC….and only missed out on points difference….getting a hiding from Scotland to seal their fate at not making the quarter finals….but with Japan are quite comfortable at the top of their table in 2019 RWC…they are just needing to play Scotland in their last pool match to decide whether they head their group or end up second….I believe their fate should be pretty well decided after that….if they win against the Scots, they play the Boks, if they lose…they play the All Blacks….pretty much a double edged sword for them…..but I don’t think the prospect of playing either of those sides actually concerns either the coaching staff or players….they are so used to punching above their fighting weight in any event…..but I really believe that a ranking of number 8 in the world, flatters them slightly…. but that is merely my opinion…. and I will be argued with and kicked in the butt that my predictions were so wrong…..I can honestly say that I have a 100 % prediction record…..my track record speaks for itself….I have been incorrect of every single one of my predictions in the past…..I am pretty confident that my hit record will not improve after the conclusion of this world tournament…..
Our cricketers had a bad few sessions in the first test…..but performed a lot better than I expected….albeit losing by a very large margin, they were in the game up until the end of the 4th day….when it looked like the Indians imported a new pitch for the first session on the last day…..in which when we lost 7 wickets in that session and decided the fate of the Proteas…..that said….hopefully the young squad has learned something….otherwise I may be tempted to haul my whites and kit out of mothballs and officially announce my availability for selection on the touring squad of supporters….
Sunday was a really busy day at the North with all the local soccer Cup finals being hosted on the main fields in front of the Club house….. there were buckets of excitement and nervous energy available on the day….all the young players thinking they were the George Best’s and Diego Maradonna’s…(Oh hold on…I’m giving away my age)……maybe Messi and Ronaldo’s of the future….there were some moments of brilliance and some of absolute despair….as the fortunes of the day ebbed and flowed….some teams will even claim they were robbed!! Others will say that they received their just reward…..as for the rest? They will claim that they were the better side of the day or that they were beaten by the better side…out of our three sides in the finals…..only our under 9 side lost 3-2 after extra time in their match, despite playing some brilliant football…well done to the coaches Warren and Mark and all the players…. our U6 side were truly awesome and comfortably won 5-0, hearty congratulations to the coaches, Lionel, Ryan, Juan and all their glorious warriors on the super win…. and our last side on the finals were our U13’s…with coach Justin at the helm….and in a tense and nail biting match….we were able to prevail and run out 2-1 winners….I am sure it will be a day in the lives of all these young men that they will not forget in a while….well done to the Easterns LFA for a well organised and enjoyable day….
Our Friday night brought us another First timer night at the Joker draw….as Mike Webb had his name selected at Joker draw time…..and he was really excited at being drawn….but appeared quite calm and composed when confronted with the complexity and size of the Joker cabinet….and after having his winners photo taken….was quietly confident pointing out his selection….one card to the left of centre….but that proved that his luck was as good as the previous 20 candidates….as the nine of spades was flipped….and amidst the roars of approval and sighs of relief from the crowd….everyone realised that the Joker draw was still a possibility for them next week…..the Jackpot swells and climbs to R85857….32 cards left and it is beginning to get interesting…..make every effort to be here this Friday….another exciting night awaits….
Last week we had a Karaoke evening….and everyone present seemed to enjoy themselves….thanks to Shaz for another lovely night….this week we welcome back Coyote….Billy and Martin back at the North to entertain us…welcome back boys….
Our softball and baseball fields were also extremely busy last weekend….hosting a softball tournament and the start of the junior Baseball leagues….lovely to see the fields full and the parking areas overflowing….all the best to Shaun and his crew for a cracking season ahead….
Last weekend also was the official start of cricket…..as both Juniors and Seniors indicated their return to the fields….still one of my favourite sights at Northerns….watching the U8’s in the top field under lights on a Friday…..their excitement and enthusiasm can be felt as you drive into the Club….please keep up that same intensity for your entire career boys….
All from me for this week… have a super weekend…I hear that the possibility for rain is pretty good later in the week….and as much as it may upset the Cricketers….we need the rain….and hopefully doesn’t affect any of the matches over the weekend…
Have a super sporting week….I hope to see you all soon
Regards Rod
PS….if you have any suggestions or moans….please don’t forget to send an email to me on rod.scheepers@gmail.com about your concerns or proposals……
CLUB BAKKIE : SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
Over the past few years, it has become more apparent that our Club requires a light delivery vehicle to enable the Club to operate more efficiently by completing important tasks in and around our Club. Some examples where this would be utilised are:
- As the municipality is providing less and less service delivery assistance on our fields and surrounding areas, not to mention the almost non-existent maintenance to the infrastructure in and around the club of buildings, roads and parking maintenance, requires that more of this responsibility falls into the lap of the Club.
- The municipal refuse removal, once provided as part of the all in service, and has been totally withdrawn, leaving the club with the duty of having to make plans to remove waste, rubble and garden refuse, from our Club.
- Our major suppliers face their own logistical nightmares of providing the full supply and delivery system of the past and have become a little unreliable when it comes to delivering all their products requested timeously. This has resulted in last minute management techniques of having to continuously “beg, steal or borrow” vehicles or LDV’s to drive to places like major distribution hubs, to ensure uninterrupted supply of products to our Members.
With our large infrastructure of Members, we were wondering whether there were any Members, or their contacts, that could assist us in procuring of this LDV for Club usage…. This could take the form of a back to a back advertising agreement (whether it be prominent local signage, weekly adverts in our newsletter or eye catching signage on the side of the vehicle etc), a significant discounts, donations or even a gift.
If you are that person, or if you know of such a person, please contact Rod Scheepers, our Club GM, or send him the details of the contact whom could be of assistance, who will then get the process rolling.
Yours in Sport, Lockey
Laurence Brown
Chairman – Benoni Northern Sports Club
Mike Webb (Guest) drew the Nine of Spades. Joker Draw a turnover at R85 857.00 for Friday 11th October. Be present to win!!
Live Entertainment from 18h30 – Friday 11th October 2019
Reminder – Online Entries are open
https://www.entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=6077
Please bring along the whole family for our fun filled event
Congratulations to Mike Serfontein in being awarded the Best Batter – Major A and voted as Senior Baseball Sportsman of the Year 2019. Well done !!
Start of the new season with the T20 Tournament. Benoni Northerns vs Actonville Premier League. Actonville 104 for 9 in 20 overs, Benoni Northerns 107 for 6 in 17 overs. Very good discipline and a pleasant game
There was plenty of dissapointment when the U8 Impala match was cancelled, but true Benoni Northerns style we managed to orrganise a game. It was a good morning out on the cricket field for the boys, giving them the feel of fielding for 20 overs before the season officially starts next week.
The Junior Football Cup Final Tournament was held last Sundayat Northern Areas. Great Day had by all Teams and a fantastic ending to a memorable 2019 Season.
Benoni Northern’s u8 League 1 hosted their Annual friendly against Old Ben’s. An enjoyable game was had by both Teams. Well done boys.