CHAPPLE CUP 

The symbol of men's inter-District supremacy goes on the line again this season in Palmerston North, with hosts Manawatū keen to hold on to their title and Nelson coming in as the current guardians of the Cave Cup


The tournament is livescored each summer on CD Cricket PlayHQ and admission is always free




  • 2026/27 

    SCHEDULE


    MANAWAROA PARK, PALMERSTON NORTH

    27-29 NOVEMBER 2026

  • ROUND ONE • Friday 27 November (two pools TBA)

  • SEMI-FINALS • Saturday 28 November • Chapple Cup, Cave Cup

  • FINALS, PLAYOFFS • Sunday 29 November • Chapple Cup, Cave Cup



DID YOU KNOW?


The antler points on the CDCA logo represent our 8 District Associations



The Chapple Cup is a white-ball tournament that was first contested in the 1977/78 season.


It's named in honour of former New Zealand Test captain, pioneer Central Stag and prolific Hawke Cup allrounder MURRAY CHAPPLE who starred for both Wairarapa and Manawatū at District level.


This is a trophy that naturally holds pride of place in a District Association's cabinet and it's the only time that all eight of our men's District senior rep teams get to play against each other at the same venue


Taranaki, Manawatū, Nelson, Marlborough, Horowhenua-Kāpiti, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui and Wairarapa traditionally compete over three days, starting on a Friday. The current format sees teams divided into two pools (introduced in the 2025/26 season).


The tournament is always played over a weekend, beginning on a Friday and culminating in a Finals day on Sunday


After the Day 1 (Friday) results, the winning four teams continue to Saturday's Chapple Cup Semi-Finals, while the bottom four teams now compete for the Cave Cup - a special trophy in its own right, named after Whanganui, Central Stags and BLACKCAPS legend HARRY CAVE


Sunday, the final day of the tournament, sees all teams in action once again, all eyes on the Chapple Cup and Cave Cup Grand Finals and minor playoffs.



HISTORY


  • Manawatū and Hawke's Bay have often dominated the Chapple Cup, but in recent years the silverware has ventured further afield


  • When Taranaki lifted the Chapple Cup in 2018, it was Taranaki's first win in nine years


  • When Wairarapa lifted the 2024/25 Chapple Cup (convincingly), it was the first time Wairarapa had won the title. Wairarapa's women won the Mike Shrimpton Trophy in the same season

  • Nelson last won the Chapple Cup in 2020/21

SEASON ARCHIVES

2025/26 CHAMPION 

MANAWATŪ


MANAWAROA PARK, PALMERSTON NORTH

19-21 DECEMBER 2025

Played in the T20 format this year to provide selection opportunities for the Super Smash, Wairarapa headed in as reigning champions for the first time. In CD's 75th jubilee season, Manawatū edged Taranaki in a close final for the main prize, while Nelson defeated Marlborough in the Cave Cup Final


2024/25 CHAMPION 

WAIRARAPA (MAIDEN TITLE)


FITZHERBERT + MANAWAROA PARKS

PALMERSTON NORTH

23 FEBRUARY 2025

2024/25 CAVE CUP 

HOROWHENUA-KĀPITI






2023/24 CHAMPION 

HAWKE'S BAY

2023/24 TOURNAMENT


FITZHERBERT + MANAWAROA PARKS

PALMERSTON NORTH

16 to 18 FEBRUARY 2024


• CHAPPLE CUP HAWKE'S BAY scores

• CAVE CUP HOROWHENUA-KĀPITI scores

Playing Conditions


As per NZC One-Day Playing Conditions 2022/23*


 * one white Kookaburra regulation 156g ball per innings.

 * Please note Amended Playing Condition: Format of ODI matches

 * Running the non-striker out before the ball is bowled:

  • The bowler must issue a warning to the non-striker who, in the umpire’s opinion, was out of their crease at the time of the incident.
  • The warning must be made to the umpire at the non-striker's end before the next ball is delivered.
  • The warning will last the duration of that innings and apply to all batters.
  • The umpires will make all incoming batters aware if a warning has been issued




2022/23 CHAMPION 

MANAWATŪ


Cyclone Gabrielle led to late changes for the tournament, played at Donnelly Park, Levin on 18 and 19 February 2023.

The cyclone struck in the week building up to the tournament, resulting in the withdrawal of Hawke's Bay due to the heavy impact on its region and community.

Ground conditions in Manawatū were also affected. CDCA therefore agreed with the eight Districts to shift the Chapple Cup tournament from the originally scheduled Fitzherbert Park, and to reconfigure it as a two-day T20 tournament with one pool of four teams (with a bye) and one pool of three, with cross-over Finals, and the Chapple and Cave Cup awarded on that basis for this season.

Teams observed a minute's silence for Cyclone Gabrielle victims before the tournament got underway, and Hawke's Bay remained in everyone's thoughts.

Whanganui enjoyed a strong weekend, meeting Manawatū in the Chapple Cup Final while Taranaki beat Wairarapa for the Cave Cup.


TOURNAMENT SCORES

2021/22 CHAMPION 

HAWKE'S BAY



The 2021/22 Chapple Cup was hosted in Palmerston North 18-20 February 2022, played as a T20 round robin between six teams as the country grappled with the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak. Wairarapa and Marlborough elected not to participate.


After a busy Friday and Saturday at Fitzherbert and Manawaroa Parks, the final round on Sunday was washed out.


As the only undefeated team after the first four rounds, Hawke's Bay reclaimed the title they had last held two seasons ago, Manawatū the runner-up.


2020/21 CHAMPION 

NELSON


The 2020/21 Chapple Cup was jointly hosted in Palmerston North and Levin in November 2020.

Nelson defeated defending champion Hawke's Bay in the Final at Donnelly Park for the main trophy.

Taranaki claimed the Cave Cup.