Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union have rectified a mistake made nearly 100 years ago.
Every year Horowhenua-Kapiti senior rugby teams compete for the handsome Ramsbotham Cup, a taonga donated by the late Godfrey George Ramsbotham (esq.) to the union in 1927.
But a spelling mistake made by the cup's original engraver saw Ramsbotham become "Ramsbottom". And so it has remained for almost 100 years.
Ramsbotham was an Englishman who immigrated to New Zealand and soon developed a passion the Horowhenua community and for rugby. He also donated many books and art works to Horowhenua College.
Three descendents of Godfrey George Ramsbotham, Karen Newth, Donna Sayer and Paddy Jacobs, presenting Paraparaumu with the Ramsbotham Cup.
His surviving granddaughters Karen Newth, Donna Sayer and Paddy Jacobs were grateful to learn that HKRU had recognised the error and paid to have the trophy engraved with the correct spelling.
Sayer said it was important to have the family name properly recognised, in the true intention with which it was gifted.
"It is nice for us to have his name properly recognised," she said.
The three sisters were on hand at the invitation of the HKRU to present the trophy to Paraparaumu, who were the winners of the trophy in an epic final that went to golden point extra time after a game that lasted almost two hours.
Paraparaumu number eight Bradley Reilly scores a crucial try late in the final against College Old Boys, going over in the tackle of Louie Tovo. Photo: Dave Lintott / lintottphoto.co.nz
Paraparaumu eventually won 36-33 in golden point extra time after the scores were still level at the end of the 80 minute game, and then still tied after 20 minutes of extra time.
But while Paraparaumu and College Old Boys played for the Ramsbotham Cup at Levin Domain yesterday, the first Horowhenua-Kāpiti club rugby final in 1893 was for a different trophy.
The inaugural winners were Kia Toa from Ōtaki, who were the only team to be presented with the handsome Horowhenua Football Challenge Cup.
The Ramsbotham Cup.
That cup went missing under mysterious circumstances soon after, only to turn up at an Ōtaki house some 30 years ago.
The only known facts are that the late Ngaire Downing (nee Cootes), who was the grand-daughter of one of the Kia Toa players, was asked to visit an old house in Rangiuru Rd just before it was due for demolition.
She was drawn to a secret hiding place under the stairs, where the cup was found among old team photographs and family treasures.
The Horowhenua Challenge Cup now takes pride of place in the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union archives, as a treasure with a few secrets.
