Morning to all our readers……

The Rugby World Cup is upon us….and in a first for the rugby officiado’s, it has been allocated to a lesser known rugby “giant”….and all the participating teams are either already in the land of the rising sun…or are at their training camps to prepare themselves for the showdown that produces a world champion every four years….I can quite distinctly remember four years ago, the North was hosting a hockey reunion to welcome the Astro on our property…..and we took two hours off the frantic matters of hockey playing, catch ups and enjoying a quiet beer or two, to watch our opening match in the 2015 RWC…..and we watched in horror as the Boks were humbled by new little “giants” in world rugby….I remember the disbelief in everyone’s eyes as our heroes fell from the pedestal they had elevated themselves to…to remind us that we are not bigger than the game….and this was surely the biggest upset in World Cup history….admittedly it was a woeful performance by the Boks and may it never, and may I repeat NEVER, be repeated again…..I must be honest that I think that our Boks have come a long way since that fateful day in September 2015….but as we now face our biggest hurdle since the 2015 show piece….we do have a few factors that are pointing in our favour this year….one of course, is our own self imposed 12 year rule….we won in 1995….with our next success coming in 2007…..and as we approach 2019, we realise that the 12 year rule is lurking….additionally we have won the Rugby Championship (old Tri-nations) and this augers well….we have played some pretty good rugger this year and after beating the All Blacks in Kiwi last year….we proved that it was not a flash in the pan…playing out to a draw in the latest encounter…..in a match which appeared to be dogged by some indifferent refereeing decisions…but let me not complain….because somehow the name Bryce Lawrence keeps on cropping up in my mind…..so let me not get onto that subject…this letter may end up being four or five pages of negative drivel…..onwards and upwards…

Could everyone please note that the Club will be open for all the later matches in the 2019 RWC….(we unfortunately will not be open for the “early”  matches around 06h00 SAST) but all the 09h00 and 11h30 matches  will be catered for….we will also be running a special for the duration of the matches…..at R30 for a double brandy and coke…and if you bring a mate R50 for two of these specials….I have to go back to an old saying at the North in the 80’s…..

”at that price, the more you drink….the more you save”….so come along and save plenty for the duration of the games shown at the North, for the entire Rugby World Cup…hopefully we will see you there…..could the staff please take note that this special does NOT apply to neither Brent nor Kelvin!!

We had another roll over on the Joker draw last week, with Dean Johnson having his name drawn for the first time…..and his search and selection found the four of hearts…which results in the jump in the Jackpot to R79146……we are starting to attract a nice gathering of friends on a Friday night at the draw..come along this week to try your luck…..it may be your chance to shine….

Friday night saw the return of Freedom Unfound…and a super evening of foot stomping and hand clapping music was enjoyed by all….Ryno and his boys really put on a good show….well done to all…and thank you for celebrating Ryno’s birthday in style….This week we host the Zimmer Twinz and Eileen, who have also proved to be very popular with our Northerns faithful….so if you haven’t been along before…please come and start your weekend off on the right foot….

Our winter sports are winding down at the moment…and it felt quite empty without our usual fare of footballers on a Saturday….but the hockey prize giving definitely brought some pizzazz to the Club….with dress up….fancy hats….and hordes of over exuberant hockey players, “blink” after having one or two at and after their traditional matches that always precede the ceremony…..congratulations to all the achievers…my thanks to all the wonderful clowns and friends that make the game of hockey so festive for me….I will be back next year….but it looks like I will have to work a little harder next year for some recognition…. snigger snigger….nudge nudge wink wink….say no more!!

With the winter boys taking a back seat now…..the summer fellows were very quick to jump onto the band wagon…..and with the ‘vaal’ colours on the grounds turning with shades of green…the white clothes were immediately on show….and the sweet click of leather on the willow will be the prevalent sound over the next six months….good luck for the season boys…let’s get some rain that we can have the beautiful green fields that accompany the red ball game….

In a final word on the winter sports…I have heard that the Eastern Gauteng Colts soccer side that boast 10 representatives from the North in their ranks had a really good weekend in Florida, where they contested the Final against Cosmo City LFA team and were successful in their efforts…winning the tournament….a super effort from the Easterns Colts who were one of two age related Easterns sides to win the trophy on the day…

The Athletics section will be holding their Annual green number function next Wednesday…to honour the stalwarts who have complete 10 completed Comrades Marathons….and for some really resilient Members, who will be celebrating their “double-green”…which a phenomenal achievement on its own….may all the athletes go and join to acknowledge the tenacity and endurance of these amazing sports people….

With the RWC upon us…..my blood is green….GO BOKKE

Have a super week…hopefully I will see you all at the Rugby over the weekend…..and if at none of the others, definitely at the All Black game on Saturday at around midday…

Keep well Rod

Dean Johnson (Guest) drew the Four of Hearts – Joker Draw a turnover at R79 146.00 for Friday 20th September. Be present to win!!

Beer Garden and Scimitar Bar open from 12h00 serving Pub Lunches and delicious Pizza

Well done to all BNAC Podium finishers at the Significance Run held on 14th September

25th – 28th September @ Northern Areas “A”, “B” and “C” Fields from 08h00 to 17h30 daily

BNHC had a fantastic prize-giving this past Saturday and are so proud to be part of the best Sports Club on the East Rand. Well done to all our winners and here’s to a bigger and better 2020
Full list of winners below:
*Team of the Year: Evolve (trophy donated by Brandon Halkett)
*Spirit Trophy of the Year: Chirpettes
*Sportswoman of the Year: Aimee Dixon-Cronje, Chirpettes (trophy donated by Benoni Hockey Club)
*Sportsman of the Year: Cody Vorster, Men’s First Side & Evolve (trophy donated by Bob Tyler)
*Clubwoman of the Year: Kerryn King & Amber Willis, YaYa’s (trophy donated by Lyn Liebich)
*Clubman of the Year: Colin Merifield, Men’s First Side & Evolve (trophy donated by Standard Brass)
*Most Dedicated Player: Heather Turnbull, YaYa’s (Chairman’s Award)
*Most Valued Player: Dale Griffiths, Men’s First Side & Hangovers
*Captain of the Year: Derek Merifield, Evolve
*Most Promising Junior Boy: Matt Chaplain, Men’s First Side
*Most Enthusiastic Lady: Michel Van Biljon, Eagles (trophy donated by Image Boutique)
*Most Enthusiastic Man: Dudley Hickman, Kittens (trophy donated by His Image)
*Most Improved Player Lady: Kayleigh Morgan-Evens, YaYa’s (trophy donated by Gillette)
*Most Improved Player Man: Ozzie Teixeira, Mammoths (trophy donated by Alan Castleman)
*Most Promising Player Lady: Meeghan Cordier, Fossils (trophy donated by Vanessa Halkett)
*Most Promising Player Man: Damien Hugo, Colts (trophy donated by Trevor Hoole)
*u/21 Player of the Year Lady: Abbeygail Cordier, Fossils (trophy donated by Lorna Brown)
*u/21 Player of the Year Man: Kyle Du Preez, Men’s First Side (Memorial Trophy)
*Most Consistent School Girl: Michelle Slogrove, Harambee Stars (trophy donated by Barry Kelvie)