Horowhenua StarAs the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Cricket Association celebrates 150 years of the sport in the region, cricketers in Foxton and Ōtaki might feel particularly proud.
The first match was played on January 22, 1875, between the Foxton Cricket Club and the Ōtaki Star Cricket Club. The match was at the newly formed Ōtaki oval (most likely now Ōtaki Domain).
An unnamed “occasional correspondent” for the Wanganui Herald reported the game in the January 30 issue of the paper.
“Wickets were pitched at 11am,” the report said. “Foxtonites, losing the toss, were sent in first, retiring with a score of 46 runs for the first innings.
One of the earliest photos of a Foxton cricket team, from 1909. Team members included
F Whibley, W Nye, P Bullard, T Robbie, P Robbie, C Robbie and W S Stewart. The trophy is the Austin Shield.
Photo Foxton Historical Society
“The Otaki Stars then went in and were disposed of in a short time, with a score of 27 for the first innings. After a short interval for refreshments, the Foxtonites again took the willow, and after some very pretty play on both sides they retired with a score of 32 runs for the second innings, having made a grand total of 78 runs for both innings.
“During this innings, Otaki’s fielding was very good, especially that of their wicketkeeper . . . Matenga te Hiko. The Otakites had now to go in and get 57 runs to win, which looked very blue for them after the drilling they received in their first innings.
“The Otaki Stars opened their second innings with the Captain (Mr Johnston) and Mr Ransfield, when we had a specimen of what the Stars could do when pushed.
“The batting was first class, runs began to tally up very fast, the Captain making the top score in the game, namely 29 runs. The total of 58 was very quickly totted up, leaving six wickets to go down.
“After the match was over, the Ōtaki Māori women presented the Foxton team with some food, consisting of potatoes and pippins, which was partaken of by both teams and outsiders.
“In the evening the Stars entertained their opponents to a dinner at host Prosser’s which was well attended, and gave general satisfaction.
“I understand that the return match will be played in a fortnight at Manawatū.”
Unfortunately no scorecard is recorded, but the names are most likely very similar to those who played a rematch, just two weeks later. That game was in Foxton, on February 6.
On winning the toss, Foxton sent the Ōtaki Stars in to bat, quickly dismissing them for only 33. The captain, recorded only as “Gannaway” took seven wickets. Foxton then scored 77 in their first innings.
After refreshments, the Stars showed more determination, scoring 82, with Ransfield 25, the top score of the match. Foxton made the required 39 comfortably, with only three wickets falling.
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