Brief Hockey History
1924 – Ladies hockey started playing full league this year. Men were playing friendlies on Wednesday afternoons at Albert Park. the field was chalk marked and two poles served as goals. The major problem for hockey was that the Cricket and Football grounds association would not allow hockey to be played on their grounds. The mens hockey subsequently fell away.
1925 – 30 persons held a meeting to revive hockey. The Durban and District Hockey Association was formed and the first three league games were played at Lords Ground, Old Fort Road on Sunday Morning, 5 July 1925. MUNIES played Nomads “A” and were beaten 9 / 1. Ross perkins, who became an itegral part of Munies history, played for Nomads. Other teams in the league were: Exiles, Durban A.C. “A” and “B”, Sasbo “A” and “B”. An English Ladies side toured South Africa, the first time a Ladies team had toured. It was also the 30th anniversary of Ladies Hockey. Natal Lost 7-2 at the Oval.
The first mens Durban team went to Harrismith to play Free State. In 1925 the Knockout Final was contested between the two Nomads sides. By the end of July 1925 Munies had two teams, Nomads three and D.A.C. three sides. Munies colours were all white, and according to the British rules no cups or trophies could be presented to any teams.
1926 – Grounds were still a problem and D & D got two grounds at R D L I and from all reports in 1926 the grounds were just unplayable but these two fields were to become the home of hockey for many years to come. Umpires were also a problem and there was a lot of rough play. The main contributing factor for this was that most players were football players. Albert Park was still used and in 1949 Munies were practicing there under ‘street lights’. The first Natal Mens side was selected and played in Johannesburg. Ross Perkins was in the side. Telegraphs joined Munies and we had our first Ladies side. League games were played at RDLI and Albert Park and there is also a report of a game played at the DHS ground, which was DAC against Malvern. Other Ladies sides were Mantis A and B, Girls High School A and B, Malvern A and B, Durban Ladies, Parthians A and B, Durban Girls College A and B. Ladies games were played at Pinetown and Malvern. Reports of Munies games were not good. Nomads beat Munies A side 5-0 and Exiles beat the B side 7-0, these were but a few of the hidings received. In May, the Ladies travelled to Harding for a ‘fancy dress’ match. (Could this have been the forunner of those many social tournaments to come!). Both the men and women had trials to pick sides to play at Dundee against Nothern Districts. Munies trialists were Ladies: Botha, Greenan, Fine, Flock. Men: were Bosse and the brothers Herbert. Unfortunately none of them made the sides. Most of the players came from Nomads.
1927 – Munies had two Mens and two Womens sides. The Ladies colours were all black, sand shoes, socks, bloomers, gym with square neck and yellow vertical stripes on the bottom of a white blouse. The teams were advertised in the Newspapers of Friday night or Saturday morning or evening.
A Natal side was selected to travel to Bloemfontein to play in the Interprovincial Tournament. Ross Perkins was in this side, now playing for Munies, the first Natal Player from Munies. In May, the game of the day was Munies against Northerns, and “had Munies displayed better caution over Offside, they probably would have rattled up a big score but they registered only four without reply, the whistle blowing constantly for Offside”. There was a report about objections against teams playing in different kit. Munies had improved and they recorded some good wins. Ross Perkins was now coaching the ladies and did so right up to the 50’s. Reports of Munies not turning out in full strength, but when they did they were giving out big hidings that they had recieved in 1926. It was decided that the Natal colours should follow Rugby, ie Black and White. This year Munies had 8 players in Durban sides to play Northern Districts – Gordan, McIvan, Van der Post, Perkins, Sanders, Bossie, Harvey and McClean. Munies lost but had lots of vocal support, Munies always proved to be formidable opponents, but lack a bit of science and make it up with dash and energy. On record a Munies player was the first to be cautioned by an umpire, the name is lost in history.
Munies 1st played 7, won 5, lost 2, for 23 against 8
Munies 2nd played 8, won 1 lost 6, drew 1, for 5 against 15
1928 – Munies went on their first tour to Harrismith for a tournament. The men fell away through lack of numbers, but the Ladies attended. Men practiced on Wednesday and Friday. Ladies practiced on Tuesday and Thursday. Both practiced at R.D.L.I. and this happened right through the 30’s.
1929 to 1931 – no reports available.
1932 – Munies had grown to 3 Mens and 2 Ladies teams. Log position at 23 May 1932: 9 teams in Ladies A Division – Munies 3rd from bottom. 10 teams in the Ladies B Division – Munies 2nd from bottom.
Munies Men had some nice wins. The surprise result was beating Northerns 3-2, which put Munies at the top of the log with Northerns. To show what a good win it was, read the log below:
First Division: Northerns – played 8, won 6, lost 2, for 48 against 12, points 12. Munies – played 8, won 6, lost 2, for 19 against 9, points 12.
Second Division: the 2nd team was 5th and the 3rd team was 8th out of 8 teams. The only teams remaining from 1925 was Nomads 1 side, DAC 2 sides and Munies 3 sides.
