Robert "Robbie" Wayne Smith
14 May 1946 – 8 December 2024
All at Cricket Wellington were upset to hear of the recent passing of former player and selector Robbie Smith. Often known as ‘RW’ to distinguish him from his friend and long-time teammate Bruce ‘BD’ Smith, Robbie was a prominent figure in Wellington cricket circles for more than 30 years.
He grew up in Naenae, where he joined the local club, and played his first Hawke Cup match for Hutt Valley in an elimination clash against Whanganui in March 1967, scoring 124 to help his side to a decisive first innings lead. At the start of the following season he helped Hutt Valley win the Cup for just the third time, beating Nelson in their challenge match by nine wickets at Trafalgar Park.
A stockily built left-handed top-order batter, he was a regular selection in Wellington Under-20 and Under-23 sides from 1962 to 1969. He moved to the eastern suburbs club Kilbirnie CC and made his first-class debut against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve in December 1968.
After playing three games, Robbie was not selected again until December 1972, following which he became a fixture at the top of the order. He played 33 first-class matches for Wellington, scoring 1486 runs at an average of 29.13. He passed 50 in ten innings, including one century - a wonderful 124 against Pakistan in January 1973, when Wellington fought back well after being forced to follow-on, to eventually lose by five wickets.
He also played 11 one-dayers for Wellington - 10 in the NZ Motor Corporation Knockout Tournament and one against India in January 1976, when Wellington beat the tourists by nine wickets. His highest score was 38* against Auckland on the Basin in November 1975.
Robbie retired from first-class cricket at the end of the 1976/77 season, by which stage he had moved to Upper Hutt with wife Barbara, son Jeremy and daughter Rachel. He captained the then Upper Hutt District CC senior side for some 15 seasons, leading them to success in Hutt Valley competitions and compiling a club record 11 senior centuries. He was Treasurer of the Club and was elected a Life Member, continuing his involvement after the 1995 merger with the Heretaunga Cricket Club to become Upper Hutt United CC.
Robbie selected Hutt Valley teams for several seasons and was appointed a Wellington selector in 1991. Other selectors at that time were Artie Dick, Alan Isaac, Richard Reid, Evan Gray and coach Bob Carter, with Robbie succeeding Artie as convenor from 1994/95 for three seasons.
He became an Honorary Cricket Member in 1993, was elected a Vice President of Cricket Wellington in 1996, and retained a strong interest in Hutt Valley and Wellington cricket all his life.
Article added: Wednesday 18 December 2024
