HOCKEY fans on the Border please all raise your glasses and drink a toast to the Border Masters men’s and women’s teams who set the pace at the recent Masters tournament in Port Elizabeth.According to long-serving Border Masters Hockey Association president, John Lawrence, the teams returned with arguably their best results ever.
The women’s A team won their Pool and in so doing earned themselves gold medals. The outcome of the final log was decided by the slimmest of margins as Border and Southern Gauteng ended equal on points after five games.
The women drew against Zimbabwe with a minute and 20 seconds remaining and then beat KwaZulu-Natal 6-1 which enabled the eventual count back decision to swing in their favour. Fourteen goals, with just six conceded, was the final result of their five games played.
The men were equal to the task and won all five of their games, scoring a massive 20 goals conceding only six.
John says it was a superb team effort but special mention must be made of Ralton Fortuin who scored 12 goals. The team was well marshalled by captain Greg Davis who also was the coach of the women’s A team.
The women’s B team were also unbeaten, securing three wins and two draws. They managed to score nine goals, conceding only one in a further superb team effort.
I’m told the Border teams took the tournament so seriously beers were banned and players were tucked up in bed by 8pm each night. Only joking.
ROLEY
Then former Border and Buffalo prop Roley McIntyre emailed to say he was recently transferred back to East London after five years in Johannesburg and is looking forward to re-establishing old friendships in the rugby fraternity, especially those with whom he played both club and provincial rugby with.
Wrote Roley: I enjoyed the five years in Johannesburg as I met and socialised with genuine old rugby friends.
“I met players such as Joe Coetzee and Terry Knight from Old Boys, Lloyd Rentske, Ian Gaylard and Mark Hosken from Buffs and many a night was enjoyed over a few beers reminiscing about the good old days. I even played a few games for Diggers Old Crocks until I pulled a hamstring I thought I never had.’’
CONCUR
Continued Roley: “I have just read your article in the Dispatch and concur with the sentiments of Donald and company and understand their viewpoint and frustration. I remember the incident mentioned by Charles where a certain lock chased an offender up the grandstand. Really good hard rugby in those days with a wonderful social life afterwards where bygones were bygones and nothing a good old beer could not solve.
“I believe the Border senior and U20 teams are setting records with their performance of late which is a pity as they are the records we are not proud of. Also miss the reporting we were accustomed to as we do not know, as Joe Public, what is happening in the Border rugby scene.’’
Roley also made mention of the Border Legends Rugby Day which coincides with the official opening of the new Buffalo Rugby Club premises on September 13.
TENNIS
Carol Phipsom has made terrific headway in resurrecting social tennis at Kidd’s Beach and last week kept me up to date.
Carol wrote: “I recently started social tennis at Kidd’s Beach on a Saturday afternoon. I moved to the Eastern Cape recently so am not from here. What a feat. From zero players to 26 in just six months. I have worked my butt off scouring the entire Eastern Cape from Queenstown to Christmas Rock and from Port Alfred to Gonubie.’’ Glad it’s all been worthwhile Carol.
MINNIE
Also, Dave Minnie of Old Selbornians sent in what he termed typical Aussie humour following a tweet sent by Cricket SA to Cricket Australia.
There’s a pic in a South African display cabinet of the trophy awarded to South Africa for being the number one Test country in the World.
Above is the wording: “Hey Cricket Australia, it’s back in its rightful place.’’
Below was the Aussie reply, it pictured former Aussie cricket captain Ricky Ponting with his hands on three huge trophies and above it read: “That’s nice. Do you keep it next to your World Cup trophies too?’’
Cheeky.
FINALLY
As this will be my last column in the Daily Dispatch, I would like to say it’s been a real pleasure over the years inter-acting with you, the public. Take care and God bless.
Let’s celebrate Border Masters achievements in PE
The women’s A team won their Pool and in so doing earned themselves gold medals. The outcome of the final log was decided by the slimmest of margins as Border and Southern Gauteng ended equal on points after five games.
The women drew against Zimbabwe with a minute and 20 seconds remaining and then beat KwaZulu-Natal 6-1 which enabled the eventual count back decision to swing in their favour. Fourteen goals, with just six conceded, was the final result of their five games played.
The men were equal to the task and won all five of their games, scoring a massive 20 goals conceding only six.
John says it was a superb team effort but special mention must be made of Ralton Fortuin who scored 12 goals. The team was well marshalled by captain Greg Davis who also was the coach of the women’s A team.
The women’s B team were also unbeaten, securing three wins and two draws. They managed to score nine goals, conceding only one in a further superb team effort.
I’m told the Border teams took the tournament so seriously beers were banned and players were tucked up in bed by 8pm each night. Only joking.
ROLEY
Then former Border and Buffalo prop Roley McIntyre emailed to say he was recently transferred back to East London after five years in Johannesburg and is looking forward to re-establishing old friendships in the rugby fraternity, especially those with whom he played both club and provincial rugby with.
Wrote Roley: I enjoyed the five years in Johannesburg as I met and socialised with genuine old rugby friends.
“I met players such as Joe Coetzee and Terry Knight from Old Boys, Lloyd Rentske, Ian Gaylard and Mark Hosken from Buffs and many a night was enjoyed over a few beers reminiscing about the good old days. I even played a few games for Diggers Old Crocks until I pulled a hamstring I thought I never had.’’
CONCUR
Continued Roley: “I have just read your article in the Dispatch and concur with the sentiments of Donald and company and understand their viewpoint and frustration. I remember the incident mentioned by Charles where a certain lock chased an offender up the grandstand. Really good hard rugby in those days with a wonderful social life afterwards where bygones were bygones and nothing a good old beer could not solve.
“I believe the Border senior and U20 teams are setting records with their performance of late which is a pity as they are the records we are not proud of. Also miss the reporting we were accustomed to as we do not know, as Joe Public, what is happening in the Border rugby scene.’’
Roley also made mention of the Border Legends Rugby Day which coincides with the official opening of the new Buffalo Rugby Club premises on September 13.
TENNIS
Carol Phipsom has made terrific headway in resurrecting social tennis at Kidd’s Beach and last week kept me up to date.
Carol wrote: “I recently started social tennis at Kidd’s Beach on a Saturday afternoon. I moved to the Eastern Cape recently so am not from here. What a feat. From zero players to 26 in just six months. I have worked my butt off scouring the entire Eastern Cape from Queenstown to Christmas Rock and from Port Alfred to Gonubie.’’ Glad it’s all been worthwhile Carol.
MINNIE
Also, Dave Minnie of Old Selbornians sent in what he termed typical Aussie humour following a tweet sent by Cricket SA to Cricket Australia.
There’s a pic in a South African display cabinet of the trophy awarded to South Africa for being the number one Test country in the World.
Above is the wording: “Hey Cricket Australia, it’s back in its rightful place.’’
Below was the Aussie reply, it pictured former Aussie cricket captain Ricky Ponting with his hands on three huge trophies and above it read: “That’s nice. Do you keep it next to your World Cup trophies too?’’
Cheeky.
FINALLY
As this will be my last column in the Daily Dispatch, I would like to say it’s been a real pleasure over the years inter-acting with you, the public. Take care and God bless.
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