A look back at sporting memories

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bulletin in October this year, we look back at some of the memories shared in previous birthday editions.

The Bulletin’s coverage in 1975, shortly after evolving from its predecessor, the Bergvliet Bulletin, highlighted the development of landmark projects such as the sports fields of the Bergvliet Sports Association. The facilities, built for the Southern Cricket Club and Bergvliet Hockey Club, cost between R2 000 and R2 400 at the time.

In February 1976, Bergvliet bowlers made history when, for the first time, two sides qualified for the Western Province inter-club league play-offs. The following month, tragedy struck when club member and Cape Times deputy head reader, Ted Molloy, died at the age of 63. Later that year, the club celebrated its silver jubilee, ending 1976 on a high note.

Their success continued in 1977 when Bergvliet bowlers reached the semi-finals of the national bowling championships in East London. The team, skipped by John Coles with Braam de Villiers, Stan Jones, and Eddie Merrifield, was the first from the club to achieve this.

In April 1979, the club was dealt another blow when John Coles, a well-known skipper, died while preparing for a national tournament.

Elsewhere in sport, the Constantia Sports Association, which oversaw Claremont Cricket, False Bay Rugby, Constantia Bowls, hockey, and tennis, was disbanded in July 1976. In December 1977, Councillor Frank Firth was honoured when the Bergvliet Sports Association named the playing field adjoining Ladies Mile Road after him. Firth, who was president of the association, had played a key role in securing the land from the City.