A warm and hearty hello to everyone out there…

“Beware the Ides of March” it was said to Julius Caesar more than 2050 years ago…..and most of us were reminded at school of this fact by William Shakespeare in his setwork book about the ruler….but for us this year the “dreaded date” have brought relatively good news…. The lockdown has been extended for a month…. with no major changes on the horizon and Ides of March definitely didn’t present any major obstacles for us…..

It is wonderful to see the North starting to get back to normal….people coming in and out of the front gates….the sounds of excited laughter on the cricket fields…..screams of “howzat!” and the click of leather on willow…. I love hearing the chirps and shouts of “pass the ball” or “shoot! Shoot!”….followed by the groans of disappointment at the miss….or the shrieks of delight at the successful conversion….I personally stay very close to the Club…..and I am overjoyed to be granted the privilege to be able to listen to these sounds from my yard….sometimes early in the morning….other times after dark…..but it still fills me with great joy to once again be able to hear these sounds, that the last year has stolen from us all…. long may it continue…

To everyone that has taken the time out to come and join us at the Club for sporting ventures or to sneak in a quick one or two….possibly even a more extended stay….I thank you….it has been marvellous to see you all and spend some time with you…. To those that are still considering it….please come along….it will be fantastic to have you join us….

As I have mentioned….soccer is in full swing with vets and ladies football being played on Monday, Wednesday and Friday….follow our Facebook page to get up to the minute reports on upcoming fixtures….In addition, our first and second sides are raring to go and have played friendlies over the last two weekends in expectation of the resumption of the league that was so cruelly postponed by COVID in March 2020…..we have a hugely talented and exciting young side that will do us extremely proud over the season, which is resuming this Thursday and will be played at the North “C” field against Alberton…. the reserve side playing at 18h30….followed by the first side at 20h00….I can’t say come and watch….as in terms of the ruling body of soccer, there are strictly no spectators allowed…..but if you have watched the innovative hockey parents….you will know exactly how to sort that out….please do not get out of your cars, as there will be officials from the Local Authority, who will happily fine the Club for being in contravention of the COVID Protocols that they issue…..

Cricket is also still in full swing with our very enthusiastic committee organising a T20 competition between the top local sides hosted at the North….. being played on Sundays on our A, B and C fields….it has been marvellous to watch (oops did I say that??? I was in the beer garden and?….) there is a pile of talent on show, but we aren’t allowed to really watch….this weekend are all the knock out games, so there should be some exciting stuff to hear about (hee-hee)

Rugby and baseball are also set to start….with practices about to commence….please keep an eye on our Facebook page for developments on events, practices and training….

The athletic sub section have been really busy…. whilst we were in both full lockdown and now under the new relaxed regulations have been most innovative….so please make sure that you join us this Wednesday…. It is St Patricks day…. with a bit of a twist, as the Club run has given way for a “beer run”….. for a modest entry fee….you can run miles or walk whatever distance you believe appropriate, between the four pubs that we have available at the North on the night…Baseball, Rugby, the Coach and the Main Club which will be refreshment stops along the way….where you can “whet your whistle” and have some fun…. Please wear something green to enter into the spirit of the day and show your support for the function….festivities will commence at 17h45….and entries will be limited in terms of the COVID numbers allowed for outside activities….all contestants are requested to be aware of the COVID protocols that need to be adhered to and will be applied….more details are contained on our Facebook page…

Hockey is also gearing up to commence just after the Easter weekend….so please dust off your boots and sticks and I will see you on the Astro….

Our Joker draw is still in full swing….we are already up to week 17 already and this week the jackpot has risen to R26724…..pop along on Friday to try your luck….this week it could be your chance to be drawn and try your luck at finding the Joker….

It will also be a god time to visit the new craft bar that is on offer….. have a pink gin and tonic on tap….. or try one of the super cocktails on offer or test one of the variety of craft beer available…..it is quite refreshing place to visit…

That is all for this week…..thank you all for the efforts that everyone of you have put in….joining us in the pubs and on the fields….it meant that I definitely did not have to pay heed to the warning of “beware the Ides of March”

Take care and stay safe….Rod