A quarter of a century ago Rotorua's Karl McKnight had a dream to form a local cricket team.
However at the time there were plenty of established local sides around with the likes of St Michael's, Arawa and Whakarewarewa.
The then 24-year-old McKnight and fellow Geyser City Cricket club co-founder Brian Callard were laughed out of the cricket community and told that their brainchild would never get off the ground.
But bowl forward 25 years and their beloved Geyser City are batting strong - fielding two men's sides and a flourishing youth section whilst many of the other local sides have fallen by the wayside.
"I always enjoyed playing and there was already a very strong squash community at Geyser City and I just thought why not start a cricket team," McKnight said.
"We were told we were slightly mad and we wouldn't last six months.
"But the key was the effort and commitment everybody put in. It's sad in many respects as the cricket community has seen a bit of a decline with many clubs folding in the area.
"We are going strong and want to play a big part in the resurgence of the sport locally."
Rotorua's Karl McKnight was a co-founder of Geyser City Cricket Club 25 years ago. Photo/File.
This weekend Geyser City look to celebrate their special anniversary in style - aiming for a double win in the adult grade.
The first XI take on Mount Maunganui at Ray Boord Park tomorrow looking to ignite their Western Bay of Plenty reserve campaign after suffering two losses and draw from their opening three matches.
The second XI - Chance Cars Geyser City, take on local rivals Central Cricket Club in their opening game of the Rotorua/ Taupo senior reserve competition.
"We had a bad start with the first team, but this anniversary is the perfect occasion for us to lift our game," said Geyser City's cricket chairman Mike Holmes.
"Also a thriller is in store with the second team. It will be a fiery clash and each side wants to win the local bragging rights."
Watching on from the sidelines on the weekend will be local cricket legend McKnight senior - Rusty, 71, who played for Geyser City since its formation and only retired from the crease at the end of last season.
FAMILY TEAM: Father and son team - Rusty, 71 (left) and Geyser City co-founder Karl McKnight. PHOTO/SUPPLIED.
Rusty has provided many memorable moments for his club including a half-century last year in the local competition which brought Ray Boord Park to a standstill.
And a record 224 third wicket partnership for the club with son Karl against Arawa Cricket Club in the 1995/6 local cricket season.
"It was an incredibly special moment - I mean you only dream about that kind of thing," Rusty said.
"There have been many great memories and moments with the club and I've played on so long because of the amazing community there is here.
"I may have hung up my cricket gloves for now but I'm always on call if they need me."
Currently there is just one Rotorua side in the Bay of Plenty Cricket Premier men's competition - Central-Indians, something Holmes is determined to change in the future.
"Rotorua used to have a very strong representation in the Premier [competition] and we would like to restore that again," he said.
"For the future the club would like to be able to field a multiple number of teams and push up through the rankings."
Karl McKnight added: "We need to be bringing the youth through and developing them."
"In the past we have found the popularity of the sport is very much affected by the success of the Black Caps.
Tauranga Boys College v R&A Sangha, Blake Park 2, Tauranga.
Whakatane United v Sikh Sports, Rex Morepeth Park, Whakatane.
Points Table: Lake Taupo CC 60, R&A Sangha 50, Greerton 50, Te Puke 40, Mount Maunganui 30, Sikh Sports 30, Whakatane United 30, Tauranga Boys College 27, Aquinas College 26, Katikati 20, Cadets 18, Geyser City 16.
