Hatfield was always the underdog in Rhodesian sporting circles, probably because of the somewhat snooty attitude of those who lived on the other side of the Railway line who felt that Hatfield was somehow "unfashionable"! To me, Hatfield typified the real Rhodesian spirit where down-to-earth folk cocked their noses at the rest and simply got on with doing what they were best at.

Like most Sports clubs, Hatfield was divided into sporting sections; Bowls, Cricket, Hockey, Squash & Tennis being the main outdoor activities with Darts, Billiards, Snooker and beer drinking being the main indoor pursuits.

It was undoubtedly on the cricket field (the "Bob Joss & Harry Tiffin Oval" as it was formally named in 1972 in recognition of 2 of the then elder statesmen of the Club who had put many long hours into the development of the ground) that Hatfield achieved the greatest success & acclaim. Long before Hatfield ever produced a national cricketer, it gave the local game a long line of well known and well respected umpires including Don Haig, Lionel Everington, Peter Lake, Chris Sweeting, Jack Ashmore & Ian Robinson.

Both Chris Sweeting (above) and Lionel Everington (seated right) served as Chairman & President of Hatfield Sports Club, an honour which also befell me in my time there.

When I joined Hatfield in 1969, the 1^st XI was languishing in the lower part of Mashonaland second league. There were many talented cricketers but they lacked cohesion and determination. My dear friend Richard "Smiley" Burnett helped instill the enthusiasm and Hatfield soon began to reap the rewards of success. Players like John "Hodge" Hodgkinson (above) whose prodigious talent was as enigmatic as the man himself soon became serious cricketers. National selectors were occasionally glimpsed observing Hatfield players and it was no surprise (but great pride!) when Jannie Rautenbach & Brendan Boyd were both capped by Mashonaland despite their second league status.

Brendan Boyd went on to be the first Hatfield cricketer to be capped by Rhodesia. Following in his footsteps then came Peter Geach, Jannie Meyer & Gary Scott.

There were many, many others who served Hatfield cricket with great distinction and whose lives enriched those with whom they came into contact.