WCOBSERVER Old boys' news and feedback

Hockey Memories From 1958

Robt Mann ( Class of 1958) shares his memories of a triumphant 1st XI Hockey team.

Many Old Boys, unfamiliar with the sport of Hockey will be unaware that Christchurch Boys' High School was the power in the land of that game. For many decades, the Wellington College XI played them in an annual match (alternating venue between the two cities), not often winning. In 1958, we won 3 - 2 owing partly to the dour defence by the scholarship sub-team, Duncan Morrison (Left-Back) and yours truly (Left-Half) and the excellent Bruce Wilson in goal.

Three decades ago, the speaker for the WCOB annual dinner in Auckland was the multiply-retired staff member, Robert Bradley who had been, among many achievements, for decades, the Coach of the 1st XI Hockey.

Spellbound Old Boys hung on his every word, in a long speech. Afterwards, a queue formed to speak with him. I went away for a couple more beers with the Blackburn brothers. When the queue had dissipated, I advanced across the floor toward the fabled Equine One. When he recognised me at a distance, a subtle but undeniable smile emerged on his features (an unprecedented event at which I felt very flattered). As I drew nigh, without any preliminaries, I said do you remember, in '58 we beat Christchurch Boys High?. He immediately responded yes – and it didn't happen again for thirty years.

I have recounted this exchange to many, but never imagined anyone else would. Now I learn that, in 1982, sons of the captains of that historic match were in Bradley's form, and he repeatedly recounted this exchange to them.

GET-TOGETHER IN WA

Two years ago, the inaugural reunion for WCOBs in Western Australia was held in Perth in February. Twenty Old Boys attended and it was deemed a great success. Because our oldest WCOB in WA , Olstan Whitehead (Class of 1947) was unable to attend this reunion, a few weeks later a small group of us met with him and his wife for lunch at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Mandurah, a seaside location one hour south of Perth.

An attempt to hold second events in 2022 were thwarted by shut-downs occasioned by Covid restrictions. With restrictions lifting by the end of 2022, plans were initiated for the holding of a second Reunion in early 2023.

After several changes in venues and a change of dates, which, no doubt, contributed to the low acceptance rate, the Reunion was finally held at the Seasonal Brewing Co., Maylands on 25 February. It was attended by five Old Boys; Max McKay (Class of 1953), Ken Houston and Hugh Cromie (both Class of 1965), Alan Jenkins (Class of 1968) and Rick (Mac) McAllister (Class of 1970). This small number had the side benefit that we could all have more in-depth discussions relating to our various experiences of living and working in WA and also the journeys in getting to live here. Unfortunately no photo was taken at this event, an omission to be rectified next time.

1st XI HOCKEY 1958

Standing: R. Cochrane, R. B. Jeffs, D. Morrison, L. R. B. Mann, B. R. Wilson, R. J. Mills, M. R. Fowler.

Sitting: R. J. T. Ellis, D. W. Thompson (Captain), Mr. R. Bradley (Coach), B. R. Melville (Vice-Captain), J. C. Langdale.

In Front: J. S. Hosie, L. G. Dyne.

A week later a group of us again met up with Olstan Whitehead and his wife, again at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Mandurah. This was attended by Olstan and Joy, Barry Green (Class of 1959), Julian Levy (Class of 1965) and his wife Susan, Hugh Cromie (Class of 1965) and his wife Eileen and Jeremy Hay (Class of 1978) and his wife Anne. Once again the lunch was very convivial with catching up from our first meeting very interesting.

Hugh Cromie