PETERHOUSE NOSTALGIA

... MEMORIES ...

HOCKEY AT PETERHOUSE BOYS' : 1955 - 1996

The beginnings

With a hockey enthusiast like Bruce Fieldsend on the staff from the beginning, it is hardly surprising that hockey got off to a good start. His enthusiasm inspired the first twelve years of hockey, and as Rector, he continued to coach until he left. In 1955 Bruce recorded the first match played against a visiting Michaelhouse team, which beat a combined boys and staff team 2 - 0. Considering that there were only 53 boys to choose from the result was not a disgrace. The following year in 1956, with over 100 boys in the school, they played a staff team who "were more guileful, and won hansomely."

By 1960 there were regularly five matches against other schools each season, and the following year the first two Peterhouse boys were selected for Mashonaland Schools sides. In 1962 Howard Johnson (E62) was selected for the national schoolboys side, and the first tour travelled across the border to the Transvaal.

Sporting conditions at Peterhouse in the early years were much more basic than they are today. Despite considerable initial opposition from Fred Snell tracksuits were only introduced at the insistence of Pete Ginn, fresh from the Rhodes University Athletics team, in 1962. That year the goal keeper John Dawson (F62), who had no protection except cricket pads and perhaps a box, acquired local fame by saving a goal against PE by using his head - literally heading a powerful shot away. It is no wonder that he acquired the nickname "Thickie", despite his academic prowess!

By 1970 five boys had been selected for national sides and Brian Watkins (E64) was playing for the Rhodesian mens' team, but not before the young coach A A "Tony" Brooker had also been selected. His influence between1964 and 1970 was considerable. 1970 also marked the first year in which seniors had to choose between hockey and rugby, and, despite misgivings amongst some of the hockey staff, hockey proved just as popular as rugby, the standard improved and a minimum of four senior teams were playing regular matches every season. From 1969 onwards, the date of the first match against St George's, instead of half-a-dozen school matches we were playing at least 12 a season, 19 in 1978 and 14 in 1998, including the games played at festivals and trials.

The golden years

1976 - 1983 were golden years for Peterhouse hockey. Under Tony Brooker and John Vahey we lost only nine out of 76 games. Peterhouse emerged as a leading hockey school. In 1982 came the first overseas tour shortly after independence, which brought the previously denied possibility of travelling overseas as a Zimbabwean school. The team, and the tour, was then inspired by Robin Cox, whose systematic coaching and determination set a very high standard, from which emerged 15 national selections at schoolboy level in 8 years, five in 1984 the year that Shane Hale (gold medalist in the Zimbabwean Olympic Women's Hockey team) took over the coaching. The creation of the Mashonaland Country Districts Team also helped Peterhouse boys' chances of selection. The trend of many boys played league hockey in Harare when they were able gave Peterhouse players added maturity and while still at school Gary Carlisle played in 1985 for the national U21 side, as did Anton Brown in 1988.

Success can be measured, to some extent, by results. In the 10 years to 1988 Peterhouse played 138 games and lost only 18. But equally, one can point to the game's popularity, the depth of talent and commitment of players which were clearly present.

The team had a succesful tour to England and the Continent in 1989.

George Martin (from the 1998 Magazine)

Resurgence : 1991-1996

The early nineties experienced a variety of new coaches with little real expertise in coaching. Hockey however was kept intact although not the flagship of sport at Peterhouse.

Stuart Carlisle captained the first squad in 1991, was selected for the U21 side and was awarded Zimbabwe school colours. The Swifts (UK) toured this year, beating Peterhouse by two goals with Mike Bawden (now Rector of Peterhouse) as their manager.

In 1992 and 1993 various new rules are introduced to allow for more flow in the game. In Zimbabwe "no offsides" was tried out. An upswing in hockey was noticeable under the junior master Dave Corran (UK) who coached Peterhouse to win sixteen over nine games lost.

Morale was lifted in 1994 with the new Rector Mike Bawden who played for England under 23. John Wright (UK) arrived in Zimbabwe as the new national coach and was available to coach all senior schools. Preparations were made under him towards the first astro turf in Harare (Magamba Stadium). A particularly noticeable squad in this year won nearly all their games except for narrowly losing to St George's and St John's. A tour to South Africa was arranged as the prospects of overseas tours look bleak with the ever eroding Zimbabwe dollar. Results were encouraging as Hilton College were beaten 2-1 in Durban on astro, (Peterhouse debut on astro!) Michaelhouse narrowly beat us 3-2. Scott Bean, Paul Brous and Dudley Cartwright were chosen to represent Zimbabwe schools.

In 1995 schools were able to play on the new astro in Harare. The experience was refreshing and hockey took on a new lease of life and prestige.

Into 1996 however our standards against other schools were not up to scratch and we lost to Michaelhouse (RSA) and St George's of Harare, both in their centenary.

Harare schools enjoy the advantage of an astro on their doorstop. An astro pitch at Peterhouse would be of immense value.

B Percival

August 1999