1924 Auckland Rugby League season

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The 1924 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 15th. Marist won the first grade championship for the first time in their history after defeating Devonport in the final by 20 points to 17 in front of a club record crowd of 17,000 at Carlaw Park. [1] While City won the Roope Rooster competition for the 4th time.

Contents

Preceded by 16th Auckland Rugby League season
1924
Succeeded by

News

Team1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade6th Grade A6th Grade BTotal
Ponsonby United 11121107
Richmond Rovers 11111117
City Rovers 11110217
Manukau Rovers 01111116
Newton Rangers 11011105
Marist Old Boys 11010115
Athletic 10101115
Ellerslie United 11011015
Māngere United 11110004
Devonport United 11110004
Parnell 00110114
Otahuhu Rovers 01101003
United Suburbs 01110003
Kingsland Rovers 01100002
New Lynn 00101002
Point Chevalier 00101002
Takapuna 00010001
Coromandel Old Boys 00100001
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 00001001
Leys Institute 00000101
Total91214131010775

First grade competition

At a Management Committee meeting on 9 April, the Mangere United team, and Ellerslie clubs who had requested to enter senior teams in the First Grade competition were accepted, bringing the total number of teams to nine. The Mangere team registered its colours and green and black. The suggested format was one where after the first round the top six teams would continue while the bottom three teams would have other matches arranged for them. [2] However all nine teams remained in the grade until the end of the season. The Mangere United team was a combined team from the Manukau and Mangere clubs. Both clubs retained their own identity in the junior grades.

On the opening day of the season all four First Grade matches were played on Carlaw Park. The junior matches on the same day were postponed as the railway workers were on strike and there was no way for the players to reach the outer suburban grounds which were used for matches in these grades.

Lou Brown transfer issue

Lou Brown Lou Brown portrait photograph.png
Lou Brown

Lou Brown, the New Zealand international had played for Newton Rangers in 1922 and 1923 however at the end of the season he moved to England to play for Wigan. He had been granted a release by Newton and New Zealand Rugby League. Upon his return he wished to play for the City Rovers club and he turned out for them despite being told by the Auckland Rugby League that he was not eligible to play for them. City were adamant that he had been fully released and could play for any team. The New Zealand Rugby League Council supported the decision but Brown played anyway. He was subsequently suspended for 3 matches. City took the extraordinary step of withdrawing its team from the competition and they defaulted their Round 9 match with Mangere United. [3] On 18 July Newton held a special board meeting and agreed to grant Brown a transfer and thus the issue was finally settled.

Manukau Rovers club switches to rugby union

The entire Manukau Rovers club switched to rugby union after a dispute with Auckland Rugby League. The issue arose after one of their players (King) was suspended for four playing Saturdays. He had been suspended because he was registered with the Manukau club but "suddenly joined, or played, for the Māngere United team without having been granted a transfer". An opposing team had protested and King had in the meantime moved back to the Manukau club. The Manukau club took exception to the decision and refused to play any of its six teams in the following grades: Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth A, and Sixth B. It then went a step further by switching the entire club to rugby union with the Auckland Rugby Union accepting them. [4] The Secretary of the club, C.J, Williams disputed the way the ARL had handled the matter and several of the facts in a letter to the Auckland Star. The ARL Chairman, Mr. W. Hammill replied to the letter "that the matters contained therein were hardly correct". [5]

United Suburbs club formation

At the Auckland Rugby League meeting of April 2 the affiliation of the United Suburbs club was approved. Their club colours were gold with a black badge. [6] Two weeks later at the management committee meeting their colours were registered however they were now maroon and gold. [7]

New Lynn club formation

A club was also formed at New Lynn in early March. They only lasted until around 1930 however and are not the present day New Lynn Stags club. They played around the Kelston area opposite the present day Kelston Shopping Centre, possibly at the site of present day Kelston Girls College. At their formation meeting the Auckland chairman, Mr. W.J. Hammill was present along with A. Powell from the New Zealand Council (rugby league). The following officers were elected:- Patron, hon. Christopher James Parr; vice patron, Mr. Albert Crum, senr.; president, Mr. C.F. Gardiner; secretary and delegate to the league, Mr. Colin Crum; treasurer, Mr. Mathieson; auditor, Mr. Ivan Culpan; management committee, Messrs. T. Brown and R. Brown, in addition to the chairman, secretary and treasurer. They decided to enter three teams in junior grades though ultimately fielded 2 sides in the 3rd and 5th grades. The Tahurangi/Crum Park in nearby Titirangi is named after Albert Crum who was a well known figure in the New Lynn pottery industry. [8] [9]

Goals from marks

At the ARL Management Committee meeting on 13 August, the Referee's Association reported that goals from marks would no longer be permitted. This rule would come into place from Saturday, 23 August onwards.

Monteith Shield (1st grade championship)

A record nine teams competed in the First Grade competition in 1924 with the addition of the Māngere United and Ellerslie senior teams. Mangere had their colours registered as green and black. It was initially decided that after the first round the bottom three teams would drop out of the competition for the second round. At the end of the first round these teams were Māngere United, and Ellerslie. However, this was later rescinded and all teams remained in the competition until the end of the season.

Monteith Shield standings

TeamPldWDLFAPts
Marist Old Boys 15111334514723
Devonport United 16111427219123
City Rovers 1583420110719
Athletic 1582525720618
Ponsonby United 1580718814416
Māngere United 1450915425210
Richmond Rovers 1650119719410
Newton Rangers 15501013325010
Ellerslie 153111952107

Monteith Shield fixtures

Round 1

26 AprilPonsonby24–5MāngereCarlaw Park 1 
1:30Try: Cooke, Moore, J Shirley, Mormon, Wilfred McNeil, Ivan Littlewood
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
[10] Try: Lipscombe
Pen: Jack Pai
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Bert Gallagher
26 AprilCity17–2NewtonCarlaw Park 1 
3:15Try: V Thomas, C Mitchell, George Davidson, Ben Davidson 2
Con: Mike Flynn
[10] Pen: Alan Clarke Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Les Bull
26 AprilAthletic6–2RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
3:15Try: Wilson Hall, Austin [10] Pen: William HanlonAttendance: 4,500
Referee: W Ripley
26 AprilMarist10–7EllerslieCarlaw Park 2 
1:30Try: Sweeney, Edmund Carroll
Con: John Lang
Pen: John Lang
[11] Try: Bryan
Pen: Peebles
Drop: Peebles
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: T Hill

Round 2

Andrew (Jim) O'Brien Jim O'Brien.png
Andrew (Jim) O'Brien

Jim O'Brien debuted for Marist. He had previously played for the New Zealand national rugby team in 3 matches in 1922.

3 MayCity20–2MaristCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Maurice Wetherill, George Davidson, Hec McDonald, Ben Davidson
Con: Mike Flynn, Sam Crewther
Drop: Ben Davidson
[12] Pen: Jim O'Brien (1 mark)Attendance: 6,000
Referee: W Ripley
3 MayPonsonby18–3NewtonCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Hector Cole, Frank Delgrosso, Ivan Littlewood, Moore
Con: Frank Delgrosso 3
[13] Try: Wally Somers Attendance: 6,000
Referee: A Saunders
3 MayDevonport26–16EllerslieDevonport Domain 
3:00Try: A Harper, Norman Veart 2, Norton, Harry Douglas, Penalty Try
Con: A Harper 2, Neville St George, A Goddick
[13] Try: Baker 2, Peebles, G Slater
Con: Bryan
Pen: H Wynn
Referee: Bert Gallagher
3 MayRichmond16–11MangereAuckland Domain 
3:00Try: Parkes 2, Campney, McMillan
Con: McDonald
Pen: Avery
[13] Try: M Paul, Jim Rukutai 2
Con: L Wilson
Referee: Billy Murray

Round 3

Neville St George Neville St George photo.png
Neville St George
Alf Townsend.png

In the match at Devonport Domain Ben Davidson was knocked unconscious and had to be taken to hospital. City had a bye the following weekend and he returned to play in Round 5. Neville St George and Alf Townsend were ordered off in the City match with Devonport. They were the two hookers and there had been issues with the scrum.

10 MayMarist10–3PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Bernard Sweeney 2
Con: Charles Gregory 2
[14] Try: CookeAttendance: 3,000
Referee: Billy Murray
10 MayAthletic14–6MangereVictoria Park 
3:00Try: George Yardley 2, Young, Graham
Con: Craddock Dufty
[15] Try: Jim Rukutai, M PaulReferee: Bert Gallagher
10 MayRichmond6–0NewtonCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Unknown, Jack Campney [16] Attendance: 3,000
Referee: McCowatt
10 MayDevonport2–2CityDevonport Domain 
3:00Pen: Bert Laing [17] Pen: Vic ThomasReferee: Les Bull

Round 4

Two matches were postponed in Round 4 as the league decided that they wanted the #1 field in the best possible condition for the exhibition match between City Rovers and Marist Old Boys of Christchurch. The weather had been particularly poor in the lead up with the previous weekend seeing all football in Auckland cancelled. These postponed matches were unique in that they were eventually played 10 days later on a Tuesday morning at 9.30am. This would surely be one of the only times a senior match had been played on a working weekday morning in the competitions history. [18]

24 MayMangere35–10NewtonCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Lou Wilson 3, Jack Pai, Jim Rukutai, P Tutaki 2, M Paul 2
Con: Lou Wilson 2, Moyle, M Paul
[19] Try: Lindsay, Wally Somers
Con: Clarrie Polson 2
Referee: William Mincham
24 MayDevonport13–7RichmondDevonport Domain 
3:00Try: G Smith, Stan Webb, Harry Douglas
Con: Bert Laing
Pen: Bert Laing
[19] Try: Hyland
Pen: McDonald 2
Referee: W Ripley
24 MayMaristPPDAthleticCarlaw Park 1 
1:45 [19] Referee: Leonard Neild
24 MayPonsonbyPPDEllerslieCarlaw Park 2 
1:45 [19] Referee: Bert Gallagher

Round 5

George Gardiner George Gardiner.jpg
George Gardiner

George Gardiner debuted for Marist. He had played rugby union for the Māori Pioneer Battalion side in 1918-19 and for the Bay of Plenty rugby team. In rugby league he went on to represent Auckland 4 times and New Zealand 21 times on their 1926 tour of England. In the early 1930s he moved to Australia to emabark on a professional wrestling career. After the outbreak of World War 2 he enlisted but was killed fighting in Libya.

31 MayDevonport6–0PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Bert Laing, Alf Scott [20] Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Bert Gallagher
31 MayMarist26–2RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Jim O’Brien 2, W Kirkland 2, Bill Stormont, John Lang
Con: Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory 2, W Kirkland
[20] Try: ButlerAttendance: 3,000
Referee: Leonard Nield
31 MayAthletic33–23NewtonVictoria Park 1 
3:00Try: Austin 2, Craddock Dufty 2, Wilson Hall 2, Woolley
Con: Craddock Dufty 6
[20] Try: Callaghan, Clarrie Polson, J Biggs, Dick Stack, J Wareing
Con: Clarrie Polson 2, J Wareing 2
Referee: T Hill
31 MayCity32–0EllerslieAuckland Domain 3 
3:00Try: Ben Davidson, Nelson Bass, Sam Crewther 2, Alf Townsend, Maurice Wetherill 2, George Davidson
Con: Sam Crewther 3, Alf Townsend
[21] Referee: McCowatt

Round 4 postponed matches

3 JuneMarist8–8AthleticCarlaw Park 1 
9:30Try: Woolley, Hec Brisbane
Con: Charles Gregory
[22] Try: B Sweeney, Ernie Herring
Con: Wilson Hall
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: A Saunders
3 JuneEllerslie6–5PonsonbyCarlaw Park 2 
9:30Try: Brien, Murray [23] Try: J Shirley
Con: J Shirley
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Taylor

Round 6

The match played at Ellerslie Reserve between Richmond and Ellerslie was the first senior match played there since 1912.

21 JuneDevonport16–15AthleticCarlaw Park 1 
2:45Try: Bert Laing, Jim O'Brien, Stan Webb, Norman Veart
Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott
[24] Try: Craddock Dufty, Penalty Try, Graham
Con: Craddock Dufty 3
Referee: A Saunders
21 JunePonsonby14–2CityCarlaw Park 2 
2:45Try: Frank Delgrosso, H Godley
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2
[25] Drop: Nelson Bass Referee: Les Bull
21 JuneMarist44–3MangereVictoria Park 
3:00Try: Jim O'Brien 2, Bernard Sweeney, M Sherlock, George Gardiner, Bill Stormont, Hec Brisbane, John Lang 2, Keary
Con: Jim O'Brien, George Gardiner 3, Hec Brisbane, John Lang
Pen: George Gardiner
[26] Try: Arthur Ansell
21 JuneRichmond5–0EllerslieEllerslie Reserve 
3:00Try: Unknown x 1
Con: Unknown x 1
[26]

Round 7

Lou Brown Lou Brown portrait photograph.png
Lou Brown

Referee Bill Murray was refereeing his 50th first grade match in the clash between Devonport and Mangere at the Devonport Domain. He became only the second referee to achieve this feat after Archie Ferguson 2 years earlier. There was controversy in the match between City Rovers and Richmond as the City team fielded Lou Brown who had not been granted clearance by either Auckland Rugby League or New Zealand Rugby League. Brown had previously played for Newton and had been released to play for Wigan in England. After returning he wanted to turn out for the City club but Newton claimed that he had been released on the grounds that he would return to play for them alone. Brown was later suspended for 3 matches before rejoining the Newton team for their match against Marist. [27]

28 JuneCity32–7RichmondCarlaw Park 1 
2:45Try: Lou Brown 3, Sam Crewther, Harry Hawkes 2, George Cargill, Ben Davidson
Con: Sam Crewther 4
[28] Try: Whitling
Pen: Whitling 2
Referee: Robert A Bovaird
28 JuneAthletic14–5EllerslieCarlaw Park 2 
2:45Try: Jack McGregor 2, Woolley, Joe Hadley
Con: George Yardley
[28] Try: Andrews
Con: Hettet
Referee: Percy Rogers
28 JuneMarist42–3NewtonAuckland Domain 1 
2:45Try: W Kirkland 2, Hec Brisbane 2, George Gardiner 3, Bill Stormont, Baden Foss, W Sherlock 2, Jim O'Brien
Con: George Gardiner 4, B Keary 2
[29] Try: Dick StackReferee: T Hill
28 JuneDevonport24–3MangereDevonport Domain 
2:45Try: Charles Hand, Alex Godick, Harry Douglas 2, Bert Laing, Norman Veart
Con: Julius Laing, Alf Scott
Pen: Julius Laing
[28] Try: M PaulReferee: Billy Murray

Round 8

The match between Māngere and Ellerslie was the first ever rugby league match played at present day Ferguson Park in Onehunga.

5 JulyAthletic6–6CityCarlaw Park 1 
2:45Try: Bill Te Whata, George Yardley [30] Try: Ben Davidson 2Referee: Billy Murray
5 JulyPonsonby11–6RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
2:45Try: Ward, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
[31] Try: Butler, RedwoodReferee: Les Bull
5 JulyMangere18–10EllerslieManukau 3 (Ferguson Park, Onehunga) 
2:45Try: Unknown 18 points [32] Try: Unknown 10 pointsReferee: Walter Ripley
5 JulyDevonportWBD–LBDNewtonDevonport Domain 
3:00 [32] Referee: Leonard Nield

Round 9

City defaulted their match against Mangere United in protest at the decision to not allow Lou Brown to register for the club after returning from England.

12 JulyMarist37–0DevonportCarlaw Park 1 
2:45Try: John Lang, George Gardiner, Baden Foss, Bernard Sweeney, Hec Brisbane 2, John Stormont
Con: George Gardiner 6
Pen: John Lang
Drop: Baden Foss
[33] Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Leonard Nield
12 JulyPonsonby15–9AthleticCarlaw Park 2 
2:45Try: Thomas McClymont, Len Ward, George Mormon
Con: Frank Delgrosso
Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2
[34] Try: George Yardley, Bert Avery, Len Mason Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Wally Ripley
12 JulyMangereWBD–LBDCityVictoria Park 1 
3:00 [35] Referee: McCowatt
12 JulyNewton11-5EllerslieVictoria Park 2 
3:00 [36] Referee: W Hill

Round 10

In the Athletic match with Richmond, Graham was ordered off for Athletic as was McMillan for Richmond. Richmond had lost Whittington to an injury early in the second half and with the score 25–0 with 6 minutes to go they threw in the towel and the match ended.

19 JulyMarist13–2CityCarlaw Park 1 
2:45Try: John Lang, Hec Brisbane, Bernard Sweeney
Con: George Gardiner 2
[37] Pen: Selby CrewtherAttendance: 7,000
Referee: Les Bull
19 JulyAthletic25–0RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
2:45Try: Joe Hadley 2, Len Mason 2, Craddock Dufty, Bill Te Whata, Bert Avery
Con: Len Mason 2
[38] Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Percy Rogers
19 JulyDevonport3–6PonsonbyDevonport Domain 
3:00Try: Monteith [39] Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont Referee: Billy Murray
19 JulyEllerslie8-19MangereEllerslie Reserve 
3:00 [40] Referee: Leonard Nield

Round 11

9 AugustPonsonby17–4RichmondCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Watson 2, Joseph Peckham, Woodley, Eric Grey
Con: Ivan Littlewood
[41] Pen: McDonald 2Referee: Les Bull
9 AugustCity35–10AthleticCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: George Davidson, Selby Crewther, Cargill, Nelson Bass 2, Lou Brown 3, Mackay
Con: George Davidson, Selby Crewther 3
[42] Try: Seagar, John McGregor
Con: Seagar
Pen: Seagar
Referee: A Saunders
9 AugustDevonport21–6EllerslieVictoria Park 1 
3:00Try: A Harper 3, Walter Voysey, Stan Webb
Con: Alf Scott 3
[43] Pen: Peebles, Shand 2Referee: H C Taylor
9 AugustNewton12–11MangereVictoria Park 2 
3:00Try: Moran, Jack Keenan
Con: Arthur Mansill
Pen: Arthur Mansill 2
[43] Try: T Pai, Wilson jr., Jim Rukutai
Con: T Pai
Referee: R McCowatt

Round 12

16 AugustPonsonby25–10CityCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: George Mormon, Ivan Littlewood 2, Donovan, Joseph Peckham
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2, Ivan Littlewood
Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2
[44] Try: Nelson Bass, George Cargill
Con: George Davidson
Pen: George Davidson
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Billy Murray
16 AugustAthletic23–16MaristCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, George Yardley, Jack McGregor
Con: Craddock Dufty 3
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[45] Try: Jim Johnson, Bernard Sweeney, John Stormont, Short
Con: George Gardiner 2
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Wally Ripley
16 AugustRichmond10–3EllerslieVictoria Park 
3:00Try: J Swift, Jack Campney
Con: McDonald
Pen: McDonald
[46] Try: HarrisonReferee: William Mincham
16 AugustNewton9–27DevonportVictoria Park 
3:00Try: Moran
Con: Arthur Mansill
Pen: Arthur Mansill 2
[46] Try: Alf Scott 2, Julius Laing, Butland, Alf Harper, G Smith, Charles Hand
Con: Proctor, Unknown x 1
Pen: Tommy Taylor
Referee: Robert A Bovaird

Round 13

23 AugustMarist16–10PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: George Gardiner 2, Bernard Sweeney, W Kirkwood
Con: George Gardiner 2
[47] Try: Frank Delgrosso, Wilfred McNeil
Con: Frank Delgrosso
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Les Bull
23 AugustNewton11–5RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Arthur Mansill, Clarrie Polson, M Brown
Con: Arthur Mansill
[48] Try: Hyland
Con: McDonald
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Hill
23 AugustDevonport32–13MangereVictoria Park 1 
3:00Try: Alf Harper, Alf Scott, Tommy Taylor, Proctor, L Voysey, Bert Laing
Con: Alf Scott 3, Neville St George, Bert Laing, Charles Hand
Pen: John Laing
[48] Try: M Paul, J Pai, L Wilson
Con: M Paul, Arthur Ansell
Referee: Percy Addleburt Lupton
23 AugustEllerslie10–10CityEllerslie Reserve 
3:00Try: Crotty, G Slater
Con: Peebles, J Shand
[49] Try: Ernest Ruby 2
Con: George Davidson 2
Referee: McCowatt

Round 14

30 AugustAthletic36–21PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Joe Hadley 2, Graham, Jack McGregor, Woods, Bert Avery 3
Con: Craddock Dufty 6
[50] Try: Snedden 2, Joseph Peckham, Ivan Littlewood, John Shirley
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
Referee: William Mincham
30 AugustMarist19–2EllerslieCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Reg Malloy 2, Jim O'Brien, Billy Ghent, MacDonald
Con: Bill Stormont
Pen: Bill Stormont
[51] Pen: J ShandReferee: Wally Ripley
30 AugustMāngere5–10RichmondMāngere 3 (Ferguson Park, Onehunga) 
3:00Try: M Paul
Con: M Paul
[52] Try: Jack Campney 2
Con: William Hanlon 2
Referee: Leonard Nield
30 AugustCity16–3NewtonVictoria Park 
3:00Try: R Purdy, Thorburn, Lou Brown, Ben Davidson
Con: Lou Brown
Drop: Ben Davidson
[53] Try: Arthur MansillReferee: A Saunders

Round 15

The win by City over Devonport was a competition milestone as it was City's 100th win in First Grade. They were the first club to achieve this milestone and did so in their 15th season and 149th game.

6 SeptemberCity17–13DevonportCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: C Mitchell, George Davidson, Harry Hawkes
Con: George Davidson 3
[54] Try: Alf Harper, Walter Voysey, Norman Veart
Pen: Bert Laing 2
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Leonard Nield
6 SeptemberNewton26–18AthleticCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Watson, Alan Clarke, Thompson, Arthur Mansill 2, Callaghan
Con: Alan Clarke, Thompson, Arthur Mansill 2
[55] Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, C Timmins
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Robert A Bovaird
6 SeptemberMāngere5–29Marist(Ferguson Park, Onehunga) 
3:00Try: Daniels
Pen: Wilson
[56] Try: John Stormont 3, W Kirkland, Jim Johnson, Lyall Stewart 2
Con: Bill Stormont, Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory
Pen: Bill Stormont
Referee: Percy Rogers
6 SeptemberEllerslie11–7PonsonbyEllerslie Reserve 
3:00Try: Dance, Peebles, Brien
Con: J Shand
[56] Try: George Mormon
Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2
Referee: Les Bull

Round 16

Near full-time in the match between Marist and Devonport, Kiwi international Bill Stormont was ordered off.

In the Newton match with Ponsonby a very unusual incident took place. L Williams for the Newton team was dribbling the ball down field and when he kicked ahead to chase, the ball went over the cross bar. He ran through to 'score the try' but the referee awarded a drop goal rather than a try.

13 SeptemberDevonport25–19MaristCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Walter Voysey, Harry Douglas 2, Norman Veart, Penalty Try
Con: Bert Laing 2, Alf Scott 2
Pen: Bert Laing
[57] Try: Lyall Stewart, George Gardiner, Bernard Sweeney, Reg Malloy, Billy Ghent
Con: George Gardiner 2
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Wally Ripley
13 SeptemberMangere20–19AthleticCarlaw Park 2 
2:15Try: L Wilson 2, J Pai, Rau, M Paul 2
Pen: N Lipscombe
[58] Try: Joe Hadley, Craddock Dufty, Jack McGregor, Draffin, Winkie
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Billy Murray
13 SeptemberNewton17–12PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
2:00Try: Watson, Clarrie Polson, Bill Walsh
Con: Arthur Mansill 2
Pen: Arthur Mansill
Drop: L Williams
[58] Try: Henderson, John Shirley
Con: Eric Grey 2
Pen: Eric Grey
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Hill
13 SeptemberCityWBD – LBDRichmondCarlaw Park 2 
2:15 [59] Referee: A Saunders

Round 17

It is unlikely that the Māngere v Ponsonby match took place as the Auckland representative team was playing a match against the South Auckland team in Hamilton at the same time. Many of the selected players chose to stay and play for their Auckland club teams in important matches. The team that did end up playing in the representative match featured seven players from the Ponsonby and Māngere teams and there were no reports of a match between the two sides in any newspaper. A table published at the end of the season also only credited Māngere with 14 matches, not 15 which is what they would have played had the match taken place.

20 SeptemberDevonport47–21AthleticCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Allan Seagar 3, Harry Douglas, Bert Laing, Walter Voysey 3, G Smith, Stan Webb, Alf Harper
Con: Bert Laing 2, Alf Scott 3, Stan Webb, Julius Laing
[60] Try: Craddock Dufty 2, Weeks, C Timmins, Jack McGregor
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Referee: Les Bull
20 SeptemberMarist34–17RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Jim Johnson 2, W Kirkland, John Stormont, George Gardiner, Reg Malloy, Bernard Sweeney, Edmund Carroll
Con: Charles Gregory 5
[60] Try: K Hyland 2, William Hanlon
Con: William Hanlon 3
Pen: William Hanlon
Referee: Billy Mincham
20 SeptemberEllerslie6–3NewtonEllerslie Reserve 
2:00Try: O'Brien, J Shane [61] Try: ThompsonReferee: Hill
20 SeptemberMangerecancelledPonsonbyManukau 
3:00 [62] Referee: Alfred James Coulam

Final

Jack Kirwan New Zealand rugby league international Jack Kirwan.png
Jack Kirwan

Jack Kirwan debuted for Marist in the final. It was slightly controversial that a team in a significant match had signed and registered players midweek to play though not unprecedented. Many teams would debut prospective players later in the season and in particular they would trial (disgruntled) rugby players. Kirwan would go on to represent New Zealand and later serve on the Marist committee for many years. He scored a try in their narrow in, with Charles Gregory kicking 4 goals. For the losers Bert Laing scored a try and kicked 2 goals. Jack Kirwan's grandson John Kirwan played for the All Blacks in the 1980s and 90s.

27 SeptemberMarist20–17DevonportCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: John Stormont, Jack Kirwan, Billy Ghent, Reg Malloy
Con: Charles Gregory 3
Pen: Charles Gregory
[1] Try: Bert Laing, Alf Harper, Harry Douglas
Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott
Pen: Bert Laing 2
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Bill Murray

Roope Rooster knockout competition

City Rovers won the Roope Rooster for the 4th time in their history, defeating Ponsonby who were attempting to win their third consecutive title, in the final by 6 points to 5.

Round 1

27 SeptemberRichmond11–7EllerslieCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Hunt, Echrafft, Ray Hyland
Con: William Hanlon
[63] Try: Clarke
Con: Shand
Drop: Shand
Referee: Les Bull

Round 2

Roy Hardgrave Roy Hardgrave.png
Roy Hardgrave

Roy Hardgrave debuted for Newton. He went on to play 58 games for them, scoring 39 tries and kicking 6 goals before signing for St Helens R.F.C. in 1929. For St Helens he played 212 times and scored 173 tries. In 1934 he returned to Newton playing twice before joining Mt Albert for 2 matches. He then went back to England and played 89 games for York scoring 52 tries, and then joined Toulouse in France before once again returning to New Zealand. He then rejoined the Mt Albert side playing 22 games and scoring 1 tries before retiring. He later coached Newton Rangers from 1941 to 1943.

4 OctoberDevonport5–3MaristCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Alf Harper
Pen: Bert Laing
[64] Try: Jim O'Brien Referee: Les Bull
4 OctoberCity17–8NewtonCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Ben Davidson, Ruby, H Hawkes, Lou Brown
Con: Nelson Bass
[65] Try: Roy Hardgrave 2
Con: Arthur Mansill
Referee: McCowatt
4 OctoberAthletic21–2RichmondCarlaw Park 2 
1:45Try: Joe Hadley, George Yardley, Bert Avery, Webb, Ernie Herring
Con: Craddock Dufty 3
[66] Drop: KingReferee: Saunders
4 OctoberPonsonby24–5MangereCarlaw Park 1 
1:45Try: Riley 2, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley, Woodleigh 2
Con: Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley
Drop: Eric Grey
[65] Try: Marshall
Con: Unknown x 1
Referee: Billy Mincham

Semi finals

11 OctoberCity29–11AthleticCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: George Davidson 3, E Mackie, Sandham, Lou Brown 2
Con: Sam Crewther, Sandham 3
[67] Try: Webb, Ernie Herring, Joe Hadley
Con: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: William Mincham
11 OctoberPonsonby14–10DevonportCarlaw Park 2 
3:00Try: Dempsey, Moore
Con: Frank Delgrosso, Dempsey
Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2
[67] Try: G Smith, Walter Voysey
Con: Bert Laing
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: McCowatt

Final

18 OctoberCity6–5PonsonbyCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: E Mackie, Lou Brown [68] Try: Bill Walsh
Con: Frank Delgrosso
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Les Bull

Top try scorers and point scorers

The lists include points scored in the First Grade competition and the Roope Rooster. Joe Hadley of Athletic led the league in tries scored with 12, while Craddock Dufty was once again the top scorer with 91 points from 9 tries, 29 conversions and 3 penalties.

Devonport had a try and conversion unattributed in a match. While the match between Mangere United and Ellerslie won by Mangere United 18 to 10 had no points attributed to any player. It is possible that M Paul for Mangere scored more tries than the 9 he is credited with and more than the 3 goals he kicked.

Exhibition matches

City Rovers played Marist of Christchurch at Carlaw Park in May and were victorious by 16 points to 9. At the end of the season Marist, who had won the First Grade Championship met City Rovers, who had won the Roope Rooster and the two teams played out a 10 all draw on Monday morning as part of the Labour Day celebrations to officially finish the season for Auckland Rugby League.

City v Marist (Christchurch)

24 MayCity16–9Marist (Christchurch)Carlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Sam Crewther, G Reid 2, Sutton
Con: Sam Crewther 2
[69] Try: Batchelor
Con: C Fitzgerald
Pen: C Fitzgerald, Brosnahan
Attendance: 10000
Referee: W Murray

City v Marist

27 OctoberCity10–10MaristCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Nelson Bass, Lou Brown
Con: Sam Crewther
Pen: E Brown
[70] Try: Reg Malloy, Jack Kirwan
Con: Charles Gregory
Pen: Charles Gregory
Attendance: 4000

Lower grades

There were 6 lower grade competitions in 1924 with the 6th grade split into an A and B division.

Second grade

Otahuhu second grade champions. Otahuhu team 1924 second grade winners.png
Otahuhu second grade champions.

Otahuhu Rovers won the competition after defeating Richmond Rovers 17-5 on September 6 in the final. Otahuhu had won the A Section and Richmond the B Section. The standings are incomplete with around 18 rounds being played. Athletic withdrew after 3 rounds, Marist and Ellerslie withdrew after 7 rounds, and the Manukau side withdrew when the Manukau board switched to rugby union in protest at a decision by Auckland Rugby League in July. Kingsland won the knockout final when they defeated Otahuhu 6 points to 3 on October 18.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
Otahuhu Rovers 12110102142722
Richmond Rovers 8404038798
United Suburbs 65010622510
Ponsonby United 6402091238
Devonport United 4301041156
Kingsland Rovers 5203052344
City Rovers 6204060534
Manukau 220002004
Māngere United 200202250
Newton Rangers 200205850
Ellerslie United 2002014240
Marist Old Boys 200200660

Third grade

City Rovers 3rd Grade side which won the championship. Ernie Asher is seated on the left. City Rovers 3rd Grade champions 1924.jpg
City Rovers 3rd Grade side which won the championship. Ernie Asher is seated on the left.

City Rovers won the competition after defeating Devonport United 12-2 on September 6 in the final. The standings are incomplete with 16 rounds being played but with most teams only having 3-5 results reported. City also won the knockout final on October 4 when they beat Athletic in the final 18-8. Marist were listed to play in round one but withdrew after that, Victoria Cruising Club also entered a team but had no fixtures after round 2, and Kingsland B also did not have any fixtures beyond round 2 so have not been included in the standings. Manukau withdrew in July after their boards decision to switch to rugby in protest at a transfer suspension of one of their players.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
City Rovers 880011563116
Devonport United 4301366206
Parnell 860231193212
Athletic 330027176
Richmond Rovers 3300333106
New Lynn 5303259616
Kingsland Rovers 5302114386
United Suburbs 5203334874
Coromandel Old Boys 11102318482
Otahuhu United 5104326872
Ponsonby United 5005218760
Māngere United 50053271120
Point Chevalier 20022360
Manukau 300322310

Fourth grade

The competition was played over 14 rounds. Ponsonby United B won the championship after beating Richmond 10-8 in the final on August 30. Ponsonby B had won the A Section and Richmond the B Section. Parnell won the knockout final when they defeated Richmond 3-2 on October 11. City withdrew after 7 rounds, while Takapuna, and Māngere United, and withdrew after round 11 rounds. The Manukau side withdrew in July along with their entire club which switched codes to form the Manukau rugby side.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
Ponsonby United B 5401237318
Richmond Rovers 76012611612
Ponsonby United A 55002116910
Parnell 6402286118
Marist Old Boys 6213124575
Ellerslie United 5203250284
United Suburbs 82061351154
Takapuna 61141191143
Manukau 311123113
Newton Rangers 210131362
Devonport United 410320152
City Rovers 301210271
Māngere United 20021040

Fifth grade

Ponsonby won the championship after Newton defaulted to them in round 20. Marist entered a team but withdrew either prior to or after one week. The 1949 Rugby League Annual written by Bill Davidson states that Athletic won the A Section and Ellerslie the B Section. Richmond won the B Section knockout when they defeated Maritime. Devonport withdrew after 2 rounds and have not been included in the standings, while Manukau withdrew along with the rest of their club which switched to rugby union in July. The majority of match results were not reported so the standings are very incomplete. In round 5 it was reported in both the Auckland Star and the New Zealand Herald that Newton had beaten Athletic 82-0.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
Ponsonby United 870111434214
Athletic 8602011212512
Otahuhu Rovers 6402065428
Richmond Rovers 7403061678
New Lynn 83140361017
Newton Rangers 103070114916
Ellerslie United 6303127306
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 6213028665
Point Chevalier 7106027542
Manukau 11000502

Sixth grade A

Athletic won the championship when they beat City A 6-3 in the final on October 11. Two weeks prior City A defeated Athletic 5-3 in a 'semi-final' which forced the playoff for the championship. It had been Athletics only defeat of the season. Leys Institute scored their first try of the season in a 25-3 loss to Parnell on September 13.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
Athletic 1716011772032
City Rovers A 850311201810
Richmond Rovers 960311193312
Marist Old Boys 7412125299
Newton Rangers 7304140666
Parnell 7205034354
City Rovers B 4202117334
Manukau 301213201
Ponsonby United 500504480
Leys Institute 8008081450

Sixth grade B

Ellerslie United finished with a 12 win 0 loss season to win the championship. They scored 125 points and conceded 33, and were managed by Mr E. Chapman, and J. Poland. Ellerslie and Richmond met in the knockout final on September 20 but the result was not reported. Ponsonby seemingly withdrew after 2 rounds so have not been included in the standings. Manukau withdrew along with all their other sides when they switched to rugby union midseason in protest.

TeamPldWDLBFAPts
Ellerslie United 12120011253324
Richmond Rovers 105141872811
Parnell 7313150377
City Rovers 7205134334
Marist Old Boys 8206136504
Manukau 320119294
Athletic 70070361080

House matches

A series of house matches were played during the season between the following sides:

Representative fixtures

Ernie Asher NZ rugby league international Ernie Asher.png
Ernie Asher
Auckland v Australian Universities souvenir program Auckland v Australian Universities rugby league souvenir program from 1924.jpg
Auckland v Australian Universities souvenir program

Ernie Asher, Edwin Fox, and Ronald MacDonald were appointed selectors for the season with Bill Davidson the coach and Henry Donovan the manager. Auckland played three matches against Australian Universities on 4, 7, and 14 June. In the first match Auckland defeated the University side by 15 to 7. In the second meeting Auckland again won, this time more easily by 17 points to 2. The visiting captain congratulated the Auckland team but made mention of the conditions by saying that “yours are certainly better wet day footballers than we are but this is to be expected when you realise that my club, Sydney University has not played on a wet ground since early in 1922 season”. [71] They had their wish somewhat in the third match with much improved weather conditions and were able to come home strongly in the second half to draw the match 14–14 in front of 11,500 people.

On 26 July in front of 20,000 spectators the touring England side defeated Auckland by 24 points to 11. In the curtain-raisers Ellerslie Sixth Grade B defeated City Sixth Grade B by 5 points to 2, and City Second grade defeated their Richmond counterparts by 8 points to 7. On the Wednesday following, an Auckland provincial team featuring Auckland players from the greater region including the Waikato region played England and lost 28 to 13 in front of 7,000 spectators.

On 20 September an Auckland team played South Auckland in Hamilton and were defeated easily by 21 points to 5. The team was supposed to be a full strength Auckland team but as the club competition was entering its key stages many of the first team players remained behind to play for their clubs. As a result, many players from the struggling Newton team made the trip to Hamilton. [72]

Auckland v Australian Universities

4 JuneAuckland15–7Australian UniversitiesCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: George Davidson, Ivan Littlewood 2
Con: Craddock Dufty, Bert Laing
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[73] Try: T Barry
Con: E J Ryan
Pen: E J Ryan
Attendance: 7000
Referee: Leonard Neild

Auckland v Australian Universities

7 JuneAuckland17–2Australian UniversitiesCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Ben Davidson, M McNeil, Nelson Bass
Con: Craddock Dufty 3
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[74] Pen: E J RyanAttendance: 4000
Referee: Bert Gallagher

Auckland v Australian Universities

Frank Delgrosso Frank Delgrosso.png
Frank Delgrosso
George Davidson George Davidson 1920.jpg
George Davidson

Frank Delgrosso had to come on the replace George Davidson after he collided badly with teammate Clarrie Polson when they were both going after the ball. Polson received a bad cut over his eye and he also later had to retire and was replaced by Billy Ghent.

14 JuneAuckland14–14Australian UniversitiesCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Bert Laing 2, Clarrie Polson, Harry Douglas
Con: Maurice Wetherill
[75] Try: Ryan 2, Frank O'Rourke, Les Halberstater
Con: Dunworth
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: W Ripley

Probables v Possibles trial match

14 JuneProbables9–14PossiblesCarlaw Park 1 
1:30Try: Paul, Webb, Norman Veart [76] Try: Hec Brisbane, Peebles 2, Ernie Herring
Con: Charles Gregory
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: W. L. Bull

Auckland B v Hamilton

Wilson Hall broke his collar bone during the second half and had to leave the field. The Auckland B team consisted of Charles Gregory, M Paul, Hec Brisbane, Ivan Littlewood, Lyall Stewart, Wilson Hall, A Garrett, Wally Somers, Jim O'Brien (Devonport), Len Mason, Wilfred McNeil, John Shirley, and Bill Te Whata.

16 JulyAuckland B28–18HamiltonCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Bill Te Whata 2, John W Shirley 2, M Paul, Ivan Littlewood
Con: Wilson Hall, Charles Gregory 2
Pen: John Shirley, Len Mason
[77] Try: McGerty, Hemingway
Con: Joseph Dufty 2
Pen: Joseph Dufty 3
Drop: Hemingway
Referee: William Mincham

Auckland v England

The Auckland team. During the film footage of this match it shows them posing for this photograph with Craddock Dufty joking with teammates. Auckland RL team v England July 26, 1924.jpg
The Auckland team. During the film footage of this match it shows them posing for this photograph with Craddock Dufty joking with teammates.
Lou Brown Lou Brown portrait photograph.png
Lou Brown

There is film footage of the match taken by Tarr Film and archived on the New Zealand Archive of Film, television and Sound Ngā Taonga website. [78] In scoring on halftime Ben Davidson was knocked out. At the start of the second half Auckland attempted to replace him with Lou Brown who ran out on to the field. However the England captain when seeing this objected as replacements were forbidden in the second half of rugby league matches at this time. Auckland were forced to play with 12 players for a time until Davidson recovered well enough to return to the field.

26 JulyAuckland11–24EnglandCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Ben Davidson 2, Nelson Bass
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[79] Try: Johnny Ring 2, Frank Evans, Jack Bennett, Charlie Carr, Stan Whitty
Con: Jonty Parkin 2, Ernest Knapman
Pen: Jonty Parkin
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Les Bull

Auckland Province v England

The team was made entirely from Auckland 'city' players with the exception of Huatahi 'Brownie' Paki and B Johnson from the Waikato (South Auckland) competition. During the first half Paki was injured and replaced by Frank Delgrosso who scored a try after a passing movement. Paki had spent the 1923 season playing in Australia for St. George.

30 JulyAuckland Province13–28EnglandCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: Hec Brisbane, B Johnson, Frank Delgrosso
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[80] Try: Ben Gronow, Sid Rix, Tommy Howley 2, Joe Darwell, Jack Price
Con: Ben Gronow 4
Pen: Ben Gronow
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Leonard Neild

Auckland B v Lower Waikato

20 AugustAuckland B15–14Lower WaikatoCarlaw Park 1 
3:00Try: John Shirley, Henry Hawkes, McDonald
Con: Arthur Mansill 2
[81] Try: Hall, W Jackson, Welch, Alman
Con: Hall
Referee: A Bovaird

Auckland v South Auckland (Waikato)

20 SeptemberSouth Auckland (Waikato)21–5AucklandSteele Park, Hamilton 
3:00Try: Dufty, Hemingway, Stevenson, Raynor, Allen
Con: Dufty, Raynor
Pen: Dufty
[72] Try: Lou Brown
Pen: Alan Clarke
Referee: W Waring

Junior representative fixtures

DateScoreScoreVenue
Junior representative match30 Aug [82] Auckland Juniors14Hamilton Juniors8Carlaw Park # 1
Junior representative match4 Oct [83] Hamilton Juniors8Auckland Juniors17Steele Park, Hamilton

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

NoNameClub TeamPlayTriesConPenPoints
1 Craddock Dufty Athletic404314
2 Ben Davidson City43009
3 Bert Laing Devonport22108
4 Ivan Littlewood Ponsonby32006
5 Nelson Bass City42006
5 George Davidson City31003
5 Clarrie Polson Newton31003
8Wilfred McNeilPonsonby31003
8Harry DouglasDevonport11003
10 Lou Brown City11003
11 Maurice Wetherill City50102
11 Alan Clarke Newton10012
13A GarrattDevonport10000
14 Jim O'Brien Marist20000
14 Alf Townsend City30000
14 Bill Stormont Marist20000
14 Hec McDonald City30000
14 Bert Avery Athletic20000
14 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby30000
14 Jim O'Brien Devonport20000
14Billy GhentMarist10000
14 Charles Gregory Marist10000
23 Hec Brisbane Marist10000
24 Ernie Herring Athletic10000
24 Wally Somers Newton10000
24 George Gardiner Marist10000
24Selby CrewtherCity10000
24Robert (Bob) CrewtherCity10000
24Tommy PaiMāngere10000
24George MormonPonsonby10000
24LipscombeMāngere10000
24Jack PaiMāngere10000
24Ernie MackieCity10000
24John Wallett ShirleyPonsonby10000

There were several members of the Lipscombe family playing for the Māngere club and it is unclear which of them played in the forwards for Auckland in their match with South Auckland on September 20.

Related Research Articles

The Auckland Rugby League competition has been competed for since 1909 when the first organised match was played between North Shore and City Rovers. The following year an official champion was crowned for the first time, namely the City Rovers club who won the 1910 1st Grade title and were one of the 4 original teams at that time. Over the following 110 years many team and individual trophies have been awarded. The following is a list of the clubs and individuals that they have been awarded to at the premier-grade level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1920 Auckland Rugby League season</span>

The Auckland Rugby League was in its 12th season.

The 1921 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 13th. Seventy two teams played across its six main grades.

The 1922 Auckland Rugby League was the 14th in its history. There were 68 teams playing across the various grades. City Rovers won the first grade championship for the 5th time, with Ponsonby winning the Roope Rooster for the 2nd time. City Rovers also defended the Challenge Shield, warding off efforts from Petone, Tongariro, and Huntly to lift it from them. Bill Davidson set a record for points scored in an Auckland club rugby league season with 116 for City Rovers. He and his brothers Ben and George between them scored 186 of City Rover's 339 points which was also a competition record for a team in a single season. City scored a further 19 points in the Roope Rooster competition and 85 points in their 3 Challenge Shield matches for 443 points in all official games.

The 1923 season of the Auckland Rugby League was its 15th. The First Grade competition featured 7 teams with the Fire Brigade club who featured in it in 1922 not entering a team.

The 1925 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 16th. On 30 March Auckland Rugby League held its fifteenth annual meeting with 200 in attendance. The strong financial position of the league was commented on. It was also decided that if possible the Senior Grade would be split into A and B divisions owing to the increasing number of teams who wished to enter but also the gap in standard between the best teams and the worst.

The 1926 season of the Auckland Rugby League was its 17th.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1927 Auckland Rugby League season</span> Rugby league season

The 1927 Auckland Rugby League season was its 18th. Newton defeated Ponsonby by 6 points to 3 in the championship final to win the Monteith Shield after both teams finished the season tied with identical 8 win, 1 draw, 3 loss records. This was the second time Newton had won the championship in 18 efforts, with the first being in 1912 and was to be their last after they merged decades later with City Rovers and the combined team ceased in the early 2000s. Richmond won the Roope Rooster knockout trophy for the second consecutive season. Newton Rangers defeated Richmond to win the Stormont Shield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1928 Auckland Rugby League season</span>

The 1928 Auckland Rugby League season was its 19th. Devonport United won the Senior A Championship for the first time under the Devonport United name, though they had won it twice before as North Shore Albions, before the North Shore merger with Sunnyside. Marist Old Boys won the Roope Rooster trophy for the first time. This was their second major trophy after winning the championship in 1924. They also went on to defeat Devonport to win the Stormont Shield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1929 Auckland Rugby League season</span>

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The 1930 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 22nd. It was generally regarded that the season was very disappointing in terms of the quality of the football played and much of the blame was put down to the fact that too many teams were in the Senior A Grade and there was too much talent spread through the Senior B teams which in turn diluted the top division. There had been a noticeable drop in the attendances at matches at Carlaw Park which had seen 8 to 10 thousand regularly attending club matches. A review of the season was published in The New Zealand Herald on 22 October discussing the issue.

The 1931 Auckland Rugby League season was its 23rd.

The 1932 season was the 24th season of the Auckland Rugby League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1933 Auckland Rugby League season</span>

The 1933 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 25th. The championship was won by Devonport United. This was their fifth title having previously won it in 1913, 1914, 1928 and 1932. The first two titles were prior to their merger with the nearby Sunnyside club when they were known as North Shore Albions, a name they later reverted to. They finished 1 point ahead of runner up Marist Old Boys. Devonport also won the Stormont Shield for the third time following victories in 1930 and 1931. They defeated Richmond Rovers in the final by 12 points to 7. Richmond had gained their place in the Stormont Shield match by winning the Roope Rooster with wins over Newton (29–15), Marist Old Boys (10–0), and City Rovers in the final by 26 points to 14. This was Richmond's third Roope Rooster title following wins in 1926 and 1927. Marist were awarded the Thistle Cup for the most competition points scored in the second round.

The 1934 Auckland Rugby League season was its 26th. The senior championship was won by Richmond Rovers who ran away with the title with an 11 win, 2 loss record. Such was their dominance that a 14th round was not played as Richmond had a 6-point lead over their nearest competitor Newton Rangers. Richmond also won the Roope Rooster knockout competition with a 20 to 13 win over Marist Old Boys in the final. Their remarkable season also included the Stormont Shield which they won 21 to 5 over Newton Rangers. This was the first ever time that an Auckland club had won all three senior grade titles in the same season. The Richmond reserve grade team also won the title which was remarkable in that they lost their first two matches before reeling off 12 consecutive wins to claim the title. They also won the Stallard Cup knockout competition when they beat City Rovers Reserves 21 to 9. Richmond also recorded two wins over the touring Western Suburbs side who had won the New South Wales premiership with 18–16 and 10–3 wins. This was easily the strongest set of results of any club at the senior level in Auckland Rugby League's history to this point and arguably to this day.

The 1936 Auckland Rugby League season was its 28th. The Fox Memorial was won by Manukau in their first season back in the senior A grade as a stand-alone club since the early 1910s. They also won the Roope Rooster competition when they defeated City Rovers 23 to 10 in the final. Richmond Rovers finished runners up in the Fox Memorial and earned the right to play Manukau for the Stormont Shield. Richmond won the trophy after beating Manukau 30–9 in the Stormont Shield clash. Richmond also won the Phelan Shield after they had been knocked out of the Roope Rooster in the first round. They beat Marist Old Boys 13–9 in the final.

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Stanley George Webb was a New Zealand international rugby league player who represented them 15 times in 1925 and 1926. Webb was the 177th player to represent New Zealand. He also played 10 matches for Auckland from 1922 to 1927. Webb played club rugby league for Devonport United for 7 seasons, 1 season for Ellerslie and 1 season for a combined Ellerslie-Otahuhu senior side.

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Robert Neville St George was a rugby league footballer. He represented the New Zealand rugby league team in 2 test matches in 1925. In the process he became the 178th player to represent New Zealand. He also represented the North Island and Auckland representative side. St George played his club rugby league in Auckland for the Marist Old Boys side initially before moving to Devonport United where he spent most of his career.

The Mangere United League Football Club was a rugby league club which existed from 1915 to 1934 when they ceased to exist at the end of the season. They competed in the Auckland Rugby League competitions, predominantly in the lower grades. and were based in the Māngere suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. The club was predominantly made up of Māori players which was very unique for the rugby league code in the Auckland region in its early decades.

The Ihumātao Rugby League Club was a rugby league club in Auckland, New Zealand which existed from 1922 to 1923. They competed in the Auckland Rugby League 2nd grade competition in each season and had a third grade side in 1923. They represented the Ihumātao area in the Māngere suburb in Auckland.

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