Well it is the week of February 14^th, the famous (or is it infamous) Valentine’s day….the time of the year that all men are reminded to be romantic and buy flowers, chocolates and shower their partners with love and affection….I decided to do a little research into the history of the day, and apart from having a distinctly Pagan start….it would surprise everyone that it actually has no romantic connection at all….that said, the commercial enterprises all climb on the band wagon at this time of the year….for us to purchase goodies and memoirs to satisfy most romantics at heart….and at the North we will celebrate the day with giving away something for free to the ladies  joining us on Friday night….they will receive a free Strawberry Lips shooter…..to say thank you for being with us and we hope that you have an enjoyable evening….join us!!

The international cricket that I chatted of last week, turned around completely, after being on top of the world after the first encounter…the second match was washed out and we batted poorly in the third….allowing the English to level the series….but last night the white ball saga continued….and the 20/20 series started off in an absolute nail biter….after batting well we lost our way in the last 10 overs and landed up on 177…the England batsmen fired off in a fashion similar to our guys…..and we were neck and neck in comparisons……until near the end…when their captain smashed us for 14 in three balls and then tried to continue repeating the feat….leaving 7 runs to get in the last over….after a an average showing in his opening spell…Lungi Ngidi bowled the over of his life….taking wickets off the second and fifth balls…leaving the opponents needing 3 off the last ball…..a mountain too high for a number 10 batter to accomplish…and they were dismissed trying an impossible second run to tie the game…..the look on our new white ball captain Quintin de Kock’s face, summed it all up for me…..the frowns of concern instantly changed to beaming smiles…with the players jumping for joy…. it was an honour to watch the fight and tenacity shown and fantastic to experience this sporting spectacle live….I will be on my seat in front of the TV on Friday night to watch the second episode….I hope you all will be too….

Our Northerns cricketers had a fairly easy day at the North, where they displayed superior skills to their opponents, Boksburg…after winning the toss and asking the opposition to bat…..their batsmen did not show the necessary application….and were dismissed for 126 in 35 overs…..our best performing bowlers being Kundai with 4/33 and Matthew, who wrapped up the tail very sharply…ending up with 3 for 4 in 3.2 overs….well done to the bowling attack….and then our openers showed their true value as they sailed past the target without losing any wicket….and this after only 22.3 overs…Musa top scoring with 61 and Vaughn only being outpaced by three as he landed up on 58…. this is the end of the normal round of cricket and the leagues are now split into two divisions…the top six and the bottom seven….and in a crazy set of circumstances….we find  a repeat fixture of last week back at the North on Sunday….as we host Boksburg again…I hope that Kurt and the boys do not get complacent and let anything slip as we enter the toughest part of the season…where we will play Kempton, Alberton, Bedfordview and CBC (apart from this week’s fixture)…..so a tough month awaits us….to get into the playoffs to contest with a Pretoria side to get a chance to play in the Club Championships….where we would be tested against all the other league winners throughout the country….definitely a prize worth working towards….all the best boys…one match at a time…win this one and then we work on the next one…

With all the rain, we have been a little disrupted as the soccer from Saturday was postponed to Tuesday night….I did not receive my usual match report, but our reserves lost 1-0 to a very solid Robertsham side, whilst the first side drew 5-5, but apparently the score could have been vastly different…with our opposition missing a penalty in the last minute and our finishing letting us down on numerous occasions, letting a few chances going begging…….not a bad result against the league winners from last year….and we cannot sit on our laurels now as on Saturday we take on Luso…another great side for the last few years….all the best to the boys as they travel to the big smoke….bring us back the maximum points boys….

Hockey was washed out last weekend and with all the rain, I was surprised that even our cricketers were able to play… Baseball was also postponed…as was the soccer, but this was eventually played on Tuesday as previously mentioned….

Paul Walton again had his name drawn from the beeeeg black box….but his choice of card again showed the same streak as luck as the past…. pulling the two of hearts out of hiding….and meaning that we all have another chance this week to find the joker.. and allow us to take home R53907…make it a wonderful Valentine’s day and see if you could be the big winner in the selection of the jester….

Last week we had Richard and Nikita along entertaining us…and this week we welcome a newbie…..as Bad Scooter arrive to display their talents…..they come well recommended, so please come along to give us your critical assessment of their abilities…. I would love to see everyone there….

Do the “Wright” Thing and be a proud Member of East Rand’s Premier Sporting Club.

That is about it for this week….please let me know if you have any gripes or groans about the club…..send me an email to rod.scheepers@gmail.com