On Friday 19th October 2001, flight BA 54 touched down at a foggy Heathrow, after an eleven hour flight from South Africa and deposited three lost looking characters into the Arrivals Area. Due to the fog, their contact, one David Aldridge, had been held up on the M1/M25 and got to the airport some twenty minutes after the appointed time. No great damage was done to International Relations and the confused and bemused were transferred by road to Co Durham. On the journey north there was one reoccurring theme, how green and clean things were and they were even willing to try Motorway food. The three were

Buks Marais The Chairman of Northern Natal Rugby Referees	Gerrie Nel Secretary and Treasurer of Northern Natal Rugby Referees	Andre Spies

They were welcomed to Co. Durham by Malcolm Shorney and his wife Barbara with whom they spent their first night in the County. They had no sooner settled in than they were whisked off to a Society meeting held in Durham City RFC, where they joined in with the training night addressed by Matt Carter, the areas RFU Rugby Development Officer and Coach of Tynedale. It was noted that at least one member of the party has found a liking for local ale.

On the Saturday the two senior referees were in action, Andre at South Shields where Westoe were playing Northern, whilst Gerrie went to Norton where Stockton's visitors were Cleckheaton. Monday evening saw Gerrie and Andre in action at the Durham University Inter-College Floodlit Competition run by Durham City . This competition is held every Monday evening on two floodlit pitches and they are keenly fought affairs. On this particular evening they may well have been fog lit matches, one side of the pitch frequently disappearing from view as the mist from the River Wear filled the valley. The Society always appoints a team of three and the Refereeing participants on the day are then assessed by the rest of the Society. Strong men have been known to weep at this point. Our visitors were thought to have acquitted themselves well and it is to their credit that they were still smiling at the evening's end. (The cynical might think that was due more to the beer than acceptance of their fate) They were also in the chair again the following Monday. (see Our Special Report)

They officiated, one at Northumberland Univ as a Touch Judge and the other two refereed at Durham Univ 3, and at Sunderland Univ. They did a great deal of sight seeing including a visit to a Junior School, an interest born of the fact two are teachers. They saw Hartlepool and Whitby Robin Hood's Bay, Durham City and the Cathedral probably all in the rain, were entertained to dinner by the Lord of the Manor of Wolsingham, one Terry Stephenson and were entertained at Seaton Carew, where they were a part of a panel answering question put by Club Members, and Coaches. They officiated at Northern and again at Stockton and it is believed that they thoroughly enjoyed their stay with us.

We wish them a safe journey home and there are those who will be hoping to meet with them again on the return visit. Buks, Gerrie and Andre, will be thought of with affection and friendship.

Springboks do the Honours
This season's intercollegiate floodlit trophy competition began again with both opening games being refereed by our visitors from Natal. This competition, which takes place 7.30 each Monday evening, at Durham City, provides our Society with a unique training opportunity to work in teams of three. Matches take place under the caring and watchful eye of some of our more senior referees, who are more than generous with advice after the game! Our guests were not exempted from this and they had to sit in the 'hot seats' and have their performances reviewed just like the rest of us. This they handled with good grace - they even thanked us for our efforts - perhaps we weren't as rigorous as we are normally!