The death occurred in Wellington on 27 April of Roy Atkin, aged 93, the father to Bill, and grandfather of Matt.

Roy was elected a Life Member of Karori Cricket Club, and of the Karori Cricket Foundation at the AGM held in 2010. He showed considerable interest in the fortunes of Karori cricket through the years, and used to come with son Bill to matches played by the Pearce Cup and Hazlett Trophy teams. In the latter years, Roy’s eye-sight let him down and so he relied on Bill to talk him through the match. He used to come to the Clubhouse for a beer and a chat.

In his business life, Roy worked for forty years for the Post Office, interrupted by WWII service. During his retirement Roy served as secretary of the Wellington Cricket Association from 1975 to 1983, when he was elected a Vice-President of WCA. From 1976 to 1990 he also worked at Parliament, firstly as a select committee clerk, and then in the Bills Office.

In the 1991 New Year’s Honours List, Roy was awarded the Q.S.M. The citation mentioned his departmental career, army service, and sporting associations.

Roy became known, through his longevity, as a ‘treasure’ of Karori Cricket Club, and spent many hours at cricket matches with his ‘mates’, most of whom have passed on over the years.

We will remember Roy as a devoted husband to his late wife June over 66 years; as a real gentleman, and a really nice man to sit and chat with.

Our sympathy goes to Bill and his wife Virginia, and to Matt and his wife Julie.

Full List of Awards

Pictures from the evening

Liz Curtis who was very supportive of her late husband, Mike, has herself passed away.

She often came to KCC events, and was always a “K-Town supporter”.

Liz has three surviving family – a son David, who played for Karori seniors (1974/80), and daughters Kristin and Nikki, to whom our sympathy is extended.

The funeral service is at Old St Pauls Mulgrave Str Wellington at 11.00am on Monday 26 March.”

Karori batsman Stephen Murdoch has bounced back from a mid-career hiccup to become one of the go-to men in the Wellington cricket team.

Murdoch had a brilliant junior career, culminating in his selection for the New Zealand team for the under-19 World Cup in 2002.

He was a team-mate of Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and other future Black Caps.

But for Murdoch, it was not such an easy path.

Wellington, bolstered by players imported from other districts, had a core of solid batsmen and Murdoch was unable to break into the provincial team.

From 2002 to 2012, he has been the heaviest scorer in Wellington club cricket, totalling 4813 runs. His 739 runs in 2008-09 is the Karori club record.

Yet it wasn’t until March 2010 that he made his first-class debut.

Since then he has been prolific. In 17 matches he has scored 1328 runs at 44.2 runs an innings.

This season he has scored 103, 57, 8, 0, 0, 0, 74, 12, 43, 101 not out, 3, 77, 38 – 516 runs at 43 runs an innings.

“It’s been a tougher road than I’d have hoped for,” he said this week, surveying his career. “But it happens for a reason. I have a lot of experience. I know my game.

“I can’t dwell on why I didn’t get in earlier.”

The 27-year-old said he had ambitions of making the New Zealand team.

“I loved being in the New Zealand under-19 team and wearing the silver fern. I cherish those days and would love to make the Black Caps.

“I have a five-year plan and I’m determined to make the most of my chances.”

Despite some rather cavalier treatment from the Wellington selectors – he has been in and out of the first-class and limited-over teams and struggled to get a regular position in the batting order – Murdoch has now cemented a place in the top three.

“I’d like to be an opener,” he said. “Every team needs two openers and there aren’t that many about, so it gives you a good chance to earn selection.”

Murdoch said he was thriving on the input of new Wellington coach Jamie Siddons.

“We haven’t really had a batsman as Wellington coach in my time. I have learnt a lot from him, and love talking cricket with him.”

Next month Murdoch will head to England, where he will spend his fourth northern summer playing cricket.

“I play in the Bolton league in Manchester. The standard is about the same as club cricket here, and it gives me the chance to develop my game.”

In the meantime, Wellington have two more first-class matches this season, and Murdoch said they were still hopeful of winning the Plunket Shield.

Hazlett – HRV Karori vs Petone

Other Pearce game:   Taita vs Naenae