Bruce Massey made his debut in representative cricket in 1923 while still a student at Palmerston North Boys' High School.
Playing for a combined Manawatu, Rangitikei and Wairarapa side against the touring MCC team, he opened the bowling in the second innings and took 4 for 14 off 11 overs.
[1] The MCC team's vice-captain, Jock Hartley, considered Massey the most promising young player they had seen in New Zealand.
[2] He made his first-class debut in the 1926-27 season, taking five wickets for Wellington against Auckland.
A few weeks later, against Otago, he took 5 for 56, then, batting at number ten in Wellington’s second innings, made 64 and added 123 for the last wicket.