Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

96 A Life Beyond Play had two children, Eric Norman and Delia Ann. The name Eric persisted through the generations and the old cricketer used to brag that the name Eric Rowan would outlive both the South African Cricket Association and its replacement the South African Cricket Union. He lived to see it happen when Cricket South Africa was created in June 1991. Eric’s son appreciated cricket and his father’s part in it, but he enjoyed martial arts more. His stepsister believes this may have had something to do with a boarding house master wanting to know why the young man couldn’t play cricket like his father. So rather than try he went in another direction. After spending some years as a bachelor Eric married June Callaghan on 13 September 1952. The marriage must have raised some eyebrows as the bride, born on 29 June 1932, was only three years younger than Eric’s son, and 23 years younger than her husband. The son actually knew June before the father because every morning she passed his school on her way to Jeppe Girls. Many of the boys thought her appearance one of the highlights of the day. The only child of James and Dorothy Callaghan, June was an attractive girl and grewup in a very protected environment. She was a young lady of some accomplishments, being the South African singles and pairs ice skating champion and a superb pianist who had completed all her London Trinity Music Examinations. June had met Eric at Jeppe Quondam, a hockey club in Bedfordview, when he was coaching the ladies’ team there. June also enjoyed playing cricket, but hockey was her main sporting love. Given the age difference and Eric’s reputation with the ladies, June’s family were totally opposed to any relationship. However, she was a strong and spirited young woman who refused to give him up. As a result the couple married secretly at his sister Dulcie’s house in Bez Valley with only the minister and some close family members in attendance. Needless to say, the bride’s parents were extremely upset at the marriage, but could do nothing about it. Following their ceremony the couple spent the day at the races where Eric had a horse running. Eric and June had one daughter, Diane Erica Rowan, or Di as she is known. Hockey was also Di’s sporting passion. She played the game at provincial level from the time she was at school until her mid-thirties, representing both Transvaal and Natal. ‘My Dad was a huge supporter of me but at times to my detriment as he was