Rugby rumours are only about men

Rugby rumours are a dime a dozen these days, with the most frequent rumours surrounding the expansion of competitions like the 6 Nations in Europe and the Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere. However, these rumours do not touch on how these expansions could affect the women’s game. READ MORE…
RWC2019 – Issues addressed and Ireland could exorcise ghosts
Ireland started their World Cup campaign with an all-round victory over Scotland on Sunday. The Irish were dominant in their 27-3 victory, and looked like a team that has worked hard on the issues that were worrying them leading up to the World Cup. READ MORE…
RWC2019 – Argentina, Fiji could still be in with a shout
With the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan in the history books, and one more match to play in the “first round” on Monday, there have been some spectacular performances by the big teams. However, two performances that should not be overlooked in the opening weekend were those of Argentina and Fiji. READ MORE…
RWC2019 – South Africa prove their own worst enemy

It was New Zealand’s day in the opening pool B encounter against South Africa on Saturday, a match which lived up to a number of expectations leading into it. What started out as an intense contest, worthy of a final, however, turned into a scrappy encounter that South Africa will hope to forget. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – Final say on the finals… before the tournament starts

The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday, and this year promises to be one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments ever. Realistically, any one of four top teams could win it, with other dark horses also capable of pulling off a few big wins. As difficult as it is to predict the World Cup in Japan, let’s take a look at it anyway… READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – Peaked too early, and Wales look vulnerable
Three weeks ago, Wales went to the top of the World Rankings for the first time in their history. Now, just days away from the start of the World Cup, the Welsh Dragon looks vulnerable and unlikely to make the semis, let alone the World Cup Final. This boils down to their lack of imagination with ball in hand, their unfortunate injuries in the flyhalf birth, and falling into the trap of peaking too early. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – Argentina in need of direction
We are well into the week of the start of the Rugby World Cup, and every country should be ready for their World Cup campaigns. One country that needs some work ahead of the start of the showcase in Japan is Argentina, who have been less than inspiring over the past two years. Despite making some headway into becoming a real world rugby power after joining the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship, they have since taken a few steps backwards in their performances. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – How do the new World No. 1 stack up?
A few days away from the start of the greatest rugby showcase in Japan, and many pundits and fans alike have mixed feelings about Ireland’s prospects of winning the World Cup. After moving to World No. 1 after defeating Wales in Dublin in their final warm-up match, the Irish should be firm favourites to win. However, many pundits feel that Ireland will fall to their quarter-final curse, while others believe that they do not have the right personnel in the 31-man squad. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – England flying high, looking solid
Just days away from the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and social media is filled with predictions and support for various countries. One of the most popular teams that have been touted to make the final have been in phenomenal form in 2019, and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in Japan. Coached by the masterful Eddie Jones, England look like a well-oiled machine after their Word Cup preparations. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – Australia lost in the mix

As we draw nearer to the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, every rugby supporter has made their predictions as to who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup. Plenty of nations are in the mix as people talk about which team is most likely to win, however one team is noticeably absent from the conversation surrounding potential finalists. This is for good reason.READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – All Blacks show cracks in their armour
The biggest event on the Rugby calendar is a few days out, and many supporters are discussing their team’s chances in the Rugby World Cup. Throughout all of the discussions, the most common theme is that the All Blacks are the favourites to defend their title, and be the first team to win three Webb Ellis Cups in a row. While it is certain that New Zealand will always be a threat in any tournament, this year’s World Cup does not seem to be so easy to give to the All Blacks in the lead up. READ MORE…
Leading up to the Rugby World Cup 2019 – South Africa on the right track

As we gear up for the biggest event on the rugby calendar, people all over traditional and social media debate the various teams’ chances in Japan, and how each team should stack up throughout the tournament. In the first of a number of previews and profiles of the top teams in this year’s World Cup, I look at the Springboks and their form and depth running into the showcase in Japan. READ MORE…
Ireland and Wales’ final preparations for RWC
This weekend will see the final preparation matches ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at the end of September. One of the most influential matches of the weekend will take place in Dublin, as Ireland and Wales will clash in their second match in two weeks; a match which can have great ramifications for the much debated official World Rankings. READ MORE…
As a sports journalist at Grocott’s Mail, I have written a wide variety of sports reports, news articles and feature articles. These articles cover a wide range of sports, including running, rugby, bowls and even… frisbee? All of these articles that have been published can be found here…
Double silver for Bodybuilding Botha

After a successful trip to Taranto, Italy, Francois Botha can call himself Makhanda’s Mr Universe, as he finished second in his two categories at the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBFF) Mr Universe competition in late June. Botha, who is only 20 years-old, competed in the tournament for the first time in 2019, competing in the Junior U23 category, as well as the Senior Men’s 80kg category, placing second in both. READ MORE…
Making the EC SA’s sport capital
On Thursday 4 July, the MEC for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), Fezeka Bayeni, addressed the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, detailing the 2019/20 MEC Policy updates for the coming year. In her speech, Bayeni set out the plans, goals and budgets for the Eastern Cape DSRAC, as well as detailed to what extent each of the various aspects of the department will be focused on the coming months. READ MORE…
Semenya struggle unites SA
While the majority of the country was swept up in election-fever, South African sports fans were outraged by the decision made by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Court of Arbitration on Wednesday 1 May, stating that athletes competing in the 800m sprints must be within a certain testosterone level to compete in women’s events. This directly affected Caster Semenya, who has naturally-elevated testosterone levels. READ MORE…
Develop facilities to develop stars
After the release of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on transformation in South Africa on Tuesday 23 April, the question of transformation in sport, youth development and sporting infrastructure was once again brought to the fore. While the focus seems to be on the number of top level athletes in various sporting codes forming a representative number of the population, it has to be acknowledged that in order truly transform sport, more emphasis is needed on athlete identification and development, as well as infrastructure building and maintenance. READ MORE…
Local schools show dominance

All roads lead to Kingswood College between 6 and 10 April, as they played host to their First Team Jubilee Rugby Festival. Schools from all over the country, as well as a team from Zimbabwe and one from the United Kingdom, descended on Makhanda (Grahamstown) to show off their rugby skills. READ MORE…
Wille back for third World Champs
Taryn-Maie Wille, an old-Kingswoodian currently studying in Stellenbosch University, will once again showcase her talent on the world stage in the Elite Cross-Triathlon World Championships in Spain at the end of April. While the ITU Championships will take place in Pontevreda, Spain, from 26 April to 4 May, Wille’s event, the Elite Cross-Triathlon, will take place on Tuesday 30 April. READ MORE…
Winner and still champion

After a tough fight against fierce opposition, Makhanda’s (Grahamstown’s) local boxing champion came out of his South African Welterweight Championship defence on Sunday 31 March as the deserved champion. Mziwoxolo Ndwayana successfully defended his SA Welterweight Championship against Odwa Gaxa at a packed Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centre, with a knock out in the seventh round. READ MORE…
Locals shine in PE festival
The early stages of the schoolboy rugby season continued at the Standard Bank Grey High School Rugby Festival on Thursday 21 March and Saturday 23 March, with schools from across the country travelling to Port Elizabeth to take part. From Makhanda; Graeme College, Kingswood College and St Andrew’s College would all look to make their mark in the prestigious festival of schoolboy rugby. READ MORE…
Brumbies, Stars triumph in Mayoral Cups
The 2019 Mayoral Cup came to an end on Saturday 9 March, with both the Makana and Ndlambe competitions seeing exciting finals to their season-opening competition. The Brumbies First Team took on Old Collegians in the Makana final at the Oval, while the Trying Stars faced off against Klipfontein. READ MORE…
Rain forces Pineapple split

Nobody will complain about how the 115th edition of the annual Kenrich Pineapple Cricket Tournament came to a close, with rain on the final two days of the tournament to bring much needed relief to the drought-ridden area. Both the A and B sections of the tournament had joint winners decided by the net run rate system, with only the C section having an out-and-out winner at the end of the week. READ MORE…
National Champs for NV Cewu coach

On Wednesday 13 March, the NV Cewu’s Head of Department for Senior Phase, Thulani Wana, travelled with the Eastern Province Athletics team to Germiston, Gauteng, as the coach of the boys U10-U13 section. Of the team from the Eastern Cape, 21 athletes are from the Sarah Baartman District team that competed in the provincial champs between 1-2 March, which was also coached by Wana. READ MORE…
Gear up for the Graeme Rugby Day
The 21st annual Graeme Rugby Day will once again welcome schools from across the Eastern Cape on Saturday 16 March. Graeme’s Somerset, Marais A and Marais B fields will see mighty schoolboy rugby battles take place between all of the different 16 school teams. READ MORE…
Rhodes continue Varsity Shield struggle
The FNB Varsity Shield came to Makhanda (Grahamstown) for the first time in 2019, when Rhodes University hosted Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in their first of two home matches of the season. The stage was set on Rhodes’ Great Field for an epic clash between the two rivals on Monday 4 March. READ MORE…
Quarter-tonne celebrations at Makana Brick

It was a landmark race for the 2019 Makana Brick Nite Race, as it not only marked the 20th running of the race, but was also used to celebrate the 25th birthday of major sponsor, Makana Brick. Hundreds of runners came through to take part in the fun 8km race, starting and finishing at Graeme College on Wednesday 6 March. READ MORE…
All hope for Lakhenathi United

The Lakhenathi United Football Club, founded January 2019 by co-founders Unati Snam and Mandelake Klaas, has grown to 35-45 players between the ages of seven and 17. The successful expansion and growth of the club has brought the attention of local sponsors, including KFC Eastern Cape, who handed over a number of playing kits to the club on Wednesday 20 February. READ MORE…
Sport Academy opens elite facility in Joza

The much-awaited opening of the Sarah Baartman District Academy of Sport, a subsection of the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport (ECAS), took place on Tuesday 26 February, at the Indoor Sports Centre in Joza. The District Academy of Sport will look to identify elite athletes in the Sarah Baartman district, and provide them with advanced training. READ MORE…
Rhodes brace for Varsity Shield
Another year of university rugby kicks off on Monday 18 February, with the start of the 2019 FNB Varsity Shield tournament coming on Monday 18 February. This will be the third year in a row that Rhodes University will be participating in the competition, having won their promotion/relegation match against the University of Zululand at the end of 2018. READ MORE…
Karate community rallies around Alicedale
Despite no longer being the popular railway junction that it used to be, Alicedale is still an important and thriving town, around 50km outside of Makhanda (Grahamstown). The lack of trade due to the loss of the railway junction and the deteriorating road into town has hurt the town economically; however this has not dampened the spirits of the residents, as evident by the thriving karate project. READ MORE…
All Blacks no longer “all that”
After their famous victory over the All Blacks on Saturday 17 November, Ireland have undoubtedly closed the gap on the best team in the world. In fact, some argue that they have overtaken New Zealand as the front-runners in world rugby, for a number of reasons. READ MORE…
Communities gather for fun day

The culmination of a week focusing on health, safety and well-being in the community, the sixth annual Fabian Juries Community Fun Day will once again take place at the Oval on Saturday 24 November. A truly community-centred event, the fun day is designed to promote the health, safety and well-being of all communities, through the promotion of sport. READ MORE…
Albany Bowling Club win Eastern Areas Men’s Fours
The Albany Bowling Club’s Men’s Fours team were the deserving winners of the Eastern Areas Men’s Fours championship on Sunday 4 November, after defeating Kowie BC in the final round. The Albany’s Women’s team were unfortunate to lose out in their respective final; however, they earned their runners-up medals. READ MORE…
Safety and well-being focus for Fun Day
The annual Fabian Juries Community Fun Day will once again be hosted at the Makhanda Oval, in celebration of community safety and well-being. The sixth annual Community Fun Day will host a number of different rugby and netball sides, from all of the different wards, on Saturday 24 November at the Oval Sports Ground. READ MORE…
New Year’s Cup voting under way
The annual New Year’s Cup soccer tournament will once again be hosted in Makhanda (Grahamstown) from mid-December 2018 to early January 2019, with preparations already under way. This will be the third successive year that Makhanda will host the national tournament. READ MORE…
Smash the 2018 Pineapple Run
The annual Buco Kowie Striders Pineapple Run will once again take place this coming weekend, challenging runners to race from the Big Pineapple in Bathurst to the Port Alfred Country Club. The event, which contains both a 27km and 10km race, is set to take place on Saturday 6 October, with runners from across the province expected to Smash the 2018 Pineapple Run. READ MORE…
A mile in someone else’s kilt

The afternoon of Saturday 22 September saw St Andrew’s Lower field covered in tartan, as a number of St Andrew’s pupils and family members gathered to take part in the first Heritage weekend Kilted Mile run. The 1,6km route took the Kilted runners around St Andrew’s Lower field, before running along the perimeter of the school, around the school chapel to finish back at the start line. The run is designed to celebrate the heritage of not only the school, but the pupils and their families as well. READ MORE…
Rhino Run for conservation
The Rhino Run, an annual conservation running event, will take place this Sunday 16 September in cities across the country. The Run will take place in Kenton, Port Elizabeth, George, Cape Town, Durban and in Gauteng, will see a growing number of people take to the trails in order to raise awareness and funds in support of rhino conservation. READ MORE…
SA Cross Country battle against the elements
A cold, wet and windy Saturday 8 September would see the South African Cross Country Championships take place in Port Elizabeth. A number of local athletes would brave the elements and the tough routes in their quest to be selected for the South African Cross Country team. READ MORE…
Nombulelo shares secrets for Trading Live
In the midst of Trading Live for Nelson Mandela week, Archie Mbolekwa Primary School were visited by the first team and coach from Nombulelo High School for a soccer training day on Tuesday 24 July. READ MORE…
Makana Bodybuilding success
Local bodybuilders have been selected for the Eastern Province team to take part in the SA Bodybuilding Championships scheduled to take place on 22 September in Jansenville. These Grahamstown (Makhanda) athletes were selected on the back of their stellar performances at the EP Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Algoa Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 2 September. READ MORE…
Grahamstown Games welcome Spring

Local CrossFit studio, the Fitness Box, hosted to the second annual Grahamstown Games on Saturday 1 September. The day, organised by Dynamic Events, consisted of teams of four (a pair of men and women), competing in five events at the workshop complex in the Industrial area. READ MORE…
Kowie Striders to storm SA X Country Champs
The Eastern Province team heading to the South African Cross Country Championships on Saturday 8 September has taken a distinctly local flavour, with a large number of Kowie Striders and other Grahamstown (Makhanda) runners making the squad. READ MORE…
Locals take cake at EP Cross Country Champs
Four local cross country athletes participated in the Eastern Province Cross Country Championships on Saturday 4 August, and they all earned medals in their respective categories. The four athletes represented Grahamstown (Makhanda) as they attempted to qualify for the SA X Country Champs in September. READ MORE…
Jacobs brings home gold
The South African Developmental Bodybuilding Championships took place in Kimberley over the weekend of 27-29 July. Makana Bodybuilding’s Orren Jacobs took home first place in the Welterweight division, and second overall in the senior competition. READ MORE…
Locals run the SA 21Km Champs
Two of Grahamstown’s (Makhanda’s) local long distance running stars traveled to Port Elizabeth’s Pollock Beach to take part in the SA 21 km Championships on Saturday 28 Jluly. Terri-Lynn Penney was joined by Masixole Xayiya for the half marathon as part of the Easter Province team. READ MORE…
Record time in 200th parkrun
The running community celebrated the 200th edition of the Grahamstown parkrun on Saturday 21 July. Not only is this an achievement worth celebrating, but the record time for the course was equalled by St Andrew’s pupil, Tony Rubombora. READ MORE…
Albany cap off season with successful title defences
The Albany Bowling Club completed a stellar season of competition on Sunday 17 June, when they won took home both the East Areas Men’s First and Second league titles. This was the second year in a row that Albany had won the Second League title, and the third year in a row that they had taken home first place in the First League. READ MORE…
Jacobs takes EP bodybuilders title
The Makana Bodybuilding team travelled to Port Elizabeth on Sunday 17 June in order to participate in the Eastern Province Developmental competition. The Makana Bodybuilders were represented in the U17, U19 and Welterweight divisions throughout the day. READ MORE…
SuperSport saga continues
The independent investigation into the SuperSport walkout incident came to a close last week, stating that there was no racism in the incident. These findings are, however, controversial due to the fact that Ashwin Willemse refused to take part in the investigation. Phumzile Adam, a non-racial sport activist and former player who is now a rugby coach and administrator as part of the South-Eastern Rugby Union (Sedru), gives his views on the incident and subsequent findings. READ MORE…
Star runner gets EP selection nod
After a gruelling half marathon race in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 26 May, local star runner and cross-triathlete Terri-Lynn Penney has been selected to represent the Eastern Province (EP) in the upcoming half marathon SA Championships. Penney’s is the only Grahamstown selection for this year’s team. READ MORE…
All set for Makana Aerobics Marathon
The New Indoor Sports Centre will play host to the third annual Makana Aerobics Marathon on Saturday 16 June. The event, which is hosted by the Makana Aerobics and Fitness Club, will welcome people from all walks of life into the Joza Township from 8am until 5pm. READ MORE…
Meaton defends Mine2Mine title
Grahamstown’s Jason Meaton took home first place in the Zambian Mine2Mine Road Race on Sunday 20 May. Meaton defended his title over the daunting 140km race from Kansanshi Mine to Kalumbila Mine. READ MORE…
Independent investigation for SuperSport walkout
The SuperSport walkout incident on Saturday 19 May, involving former Springbok legends and current SuperSport analysts Ashwin Willemse, Naas Botha and Nick Mallett, is yet to be resolved. On Monday 21 May, an investigation was begun by SuperSport, with the purpose of resolving the grievances brought up on air by Willemse as part of his walkout. READ MORE…
We’ll wait for SuperSport facts, says Gtown
Comments and opinions have flooded South African and international media in the wake of the SuperSport walkout incident on Saturday 19 May. With little information besides what was broadcast live, fans and politicians alike immediately took sides – either in support for or in opposition to Ashwin Willemse’s on-air actions. While national media continued to argue over the little information available, Grahamstown’s local rugby administrators and players have avoided any bandwagon. READ MORE…
Bodybuilding returns to Makana
The Makana Bodybuilding Goldrush Classic will take place on Sunday 27 May, at Recreation Hall in Grahamstown. The event will for the third time, be hosted by the The Makana Natural Bodybuilding Fitness Club. READ MORE…
Gtown triathlete for ITU Worlds
Former Grahamstown resident and old-Kingswoodian, Taryn-Maie Wille, has been chosen to represent the Springbok side in the Elite U23 Cross-Triathlon World Championships in July 2018. The Champs, which are being held in Denmark on 10 July, are one of five World Champs which will be taking place in the Fyn 2018 ITU Multisport World Championships Festival. READ MORE…
Local administrators look to schools for transformation
Two senior sports administrators based in Grahamstown say the improved transformation targets hailed by Minister of Sport and Recreation Tokozile Xasa this week are empty. READ MORE…
Graeme receives Focus Schools equipment
On Thursday 10 May, Graeme College received a donation from the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport as part of the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) Focus Schools programme. The donation of various rugby equipment, including tackle bags, crash shields and agility boxes, was handed over to Headmaster Kevin Watson at the school offices. READ MORE…
Sports Minister cheers transformation targets
On Monday 7 May, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Tokozile Xasa, released the Eminent Person’s Group (EPG) Transformation Report in Pretoria, which, among other important information, highlighted sporting codes that have met, or not met, their transformation targets. Additionally, the report highlighted the plan moving forward, stressing the need for continued transformation. READ MORE…
Soul Sisters run for Lukhanyiso Village

By: KATHRYN CLEARY AND STEPHEN KISBEY-GREEN
The Soul Sisters running group embarked on their ambitious 107km run from 20 to 22 April. This long distance three-day trail run from Blanco to Bedford raised funds for the Lukhanyiso Village project, with the aim of earning R107 000. READ MORE…
Team SA triumph at Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games came to an end on Sunday 15 April, after two weeks of entertaining competition. Team South Africa finished sixth overall on the medals table, behind hosts Australia, England, Canada, India and New Zealand. Our team had big wins in the pool, the sprints and middle-distance running, but had a surprising non-podium finish in rugby. READ MORE…
Saints & Sinners’ plans for running

After a difficult couple of years for both clubs, the Albany Roadrunners and the Saints and Sinners Cycling club have amalgamated to become the Albany Saints and Sinners Multisport Club since 2015. With an entirely new committee in 2018, the Albany Saints and Sinners Multisport Club looks bring back the enthusiasm in the Grahamstown community around running, cycling and any other sports available to people in the town. READ MORE…
Frisbee tourney coming to town
The Rhodes University Ultimate Frisbee society will play host to this year’s South African Flying Disc Association (SAFDA) Mixed Nationals tournament in late April. This will be the first time that Grahamstown has hosted such an event. READ MORE…
Facebook controversy surrounds Super 12 semi-final
The Super 12 semi-final between Swallows and Gardens that took place in East London last week was surrounded in controversy after the match, when a supporter took to Facebook after the game to criticise the officiating of the referee. The Facebook post, which contained severe racist remarks including the use of the “K-word”, alleged that the referee was supporting the Swallows and failed to uphold the rules of the game in a fair manner. READ MORE…
Buco 46 win Night Bowls
The 24th Pick n Pay Night Bowls tournament came to an end on Friday 2 March after Buco 46 continued their good knockout-stages form by defeating TAPS Inc in the final. READ MORE…
All set for P’nP night bowls finals
The 24th Pick n Pay Night Bowls tournament is nearing its end with only the final left to be played. With 40 teams participating throughout the tournament today (Friday 2 March) will see the top two teams in the main and plate events respectively facing off in the finals at the Grahamstown Bowls Club. READ MORE…
Local Sevens hero Specman wins again
On Friday 9 February it was announced that Rosko Specman has been awarded the South African Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award for 2017. This comes after a stellar season during which he helped the Blitzbokke win the HSBC Sevens Series champions, winning the SA rugby team of the year and coach Neil Powell also being named Coach of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards. READ MORE…
Blitzbokke go top of table
The South African Sevens side, which includes the Grahamstown local Rosko Specman, moved back to the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series Table on Sunday, after finishing second in the New Zealand leg of the series. The Blitzbokke fell to a dominant performance from the flying Fijians in the final of the Hamilton tournament on 4 February 2018. READ MORE…
Currie Cup to trial new laws
World Rugby announced on Wednesday that South Africa’s premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, will align with the Northern Hemisphere as they trial the recently-announced law amendments. The modifications that will be trialed in the Currie Cup will affect primarily the ruck, tackle and scrum areas of the game. READ MORE…
Tough Grey fest for local schools
Grey High in Port Elizabeth will once again welcome rugby teams from across the country as they host the Grey High Rugby Festival on Thursday 27 April and Saturday 29 April. The Festival will involve 20 first-team sides as well as several other age groups from schools across South Africa. READ MORE…
SA Sevens still flying high
The Springbok Sevens managed to strengthen their lead atop the HSBC Sevens World Series standings, despite their poor showing in the weekend’s tournament in Singapore. READ MORE…
Action packed weekend for Port Alfred
Action-packed family fun is expected in the first annual Amazing Events PA which will be held in Port Alfred between 14 and 17 April. The event comprises various sports and activities taking place over the three days over land, sea, beach and even the river. READ MORE…
Brumbies edge out Trying Stars in close battle
On Saturday 8 April, the Grahamstown Brumbies hosted the Trying Stars as part of the Eastern Province Grand Challenge cup. The atmosphere at the Oval was festive for the afternoon kickoff, despite the slightly overcast conditions. READ MORE…