1924 Auckland Rugby League season

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.

Preceded by 1923

16th Auckland Rugby League season 1924

Succeeded by 1925

News

Team	1st Grade	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade	5th Grade	6th Grade A	6th Grade B	Total
Ponsonby United	1	1	1	2	1	1	0	7
Richmond Rovers	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	7
City Rovers	1	1	1	1	0	2	1	7
Manukau Rovers	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	6
Newton Rangers	1	1	0	1	1	1	0	5
Marist Old Boys	1	1	0	1	0	1	1	5
Athletic	1	0	1	0	1	1	1	5
Ellerslie United	1	1	0	1	1	0	1	5
Māngere United	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	4
Devonport United	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	4
Parnell	0	0	1	1	0	1	1	4
Otahuhu Rovers	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	3
United Suburbs	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	3
Kingsland Rovers	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2
New Lynn	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	2
Point Chevalier	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	2
Takapuna	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
Coromandel Old Boys	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1
Leys Institute	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1
Total	9	12	14	13	10	10	7	75

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, 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

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Marist Old Boys	15	11	1	3	345	147	23
Devonport United	16	11	1	4	272	191	23
City Rovers	15	8	3	4	201	107	19
Athletic	15	8	2	5	257	206	18
Ponsonby United	15	8	0	7	188	144	16
Māngere United	14	5	0	9	154	252	10
Richmond Rovers	16	5	0	11	97	194	10
Newton Rangers	15	5	0	10	133	250	10
Ellerslie	15	3	1	11	95	210	7

Monteith Shield fixtures

Round 1

	26 April	Ponsonby	24–5	Māngere	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: 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 April	City	17–2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:15	Try: Vic Thomas, C Mitchell, George Davidson, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Mike Flynn	[10]	Pen: Alan Clarke	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Les Bull

	26 April	Athletic	6–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:15	Try: Wilson Hall, Austin	[10]	Pen: Trevor Hanlon	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Walter Ripley

	26 April	Marist	10–7	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: 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 debuted for Marist. He had previously played for the New Zealand national rugby team in 3 matches in 1922. Baden Foss went off with an injury to his nose and a cut eye and was replaced by Jim Stormont, with his brother Bill Stormont moving into Foss's position in the backline. Jim Rukutai made his first appearance in a jersey for two years when he played for Mangere, who he was coaching. He had only played a handful of times since 1919 and was aged about 45. Despite his age he played well, scoring two of their three tries.

	3 May	City	20–2	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Maurice Wetherill, George Davidson, Hec McDonald, Ben Davidson Con: Mike Flynn, Selby Crewther Pen: Arthur Sutton Drop: Ben Davidson	[12]	Pen: Jim O'Brien (1 mark)	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Walter Ripley

	3 May	Ponsonby	18–3	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hector Cole, Frank Delgrosso, Ivan Littlewood, Dooley Moore Con: Frank Delgrosso 3	[13]	Try: Wally Somers	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: A Saunders

	3 May	Devonport	26–16	Ellerslie	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: Alf Harper, Norman Veart 2, Norton, Harry Douglas, Alex Godick (obstruction try) Con: Alf Harper 2, Neville St George, Alex Godick	[13]	Try: Baker 2, Peebles, G Slater Con: Brien Pen: H Wynn	Referee: Bert Gallagher

	3 May	Richmond	16–11	Mangere	Auckland Domain
	3:00	Try: Parkes 2, Campney, McMillan Con: McDonald Pen: Avery	[13]	Try: M Paul, Jim Rukutai 2 Con: Lou Wilson jun.	Referee: Billy Murray

Round 3

Charles Gregory

In the match at Devonport Domain between Devonport and City, Ben Davidson the City centre three quarter, was knocked unconscious and had to be taken to hospital. It was reported days later that his condition was not reported as serious. 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 same match. They were the two hookers and there had been issues with the scrum with referee Les Bull having enough and giving them their marching orders. Stan Webb and Bert Laing both made their first appearances of the year for Devonport. Charles Gregory debuted for Marist at fullback and played a good game, converting both of their tries. He had played 12 games for Auckland rugby union team in 1922 and 1923 before switching codes, though he had played some rugby league before that. Gregory would go on to play over 80 games for Marist becoming one of their all time leading scorers and represented New Zealand on 40 occasions.

	10 May	Marist	10–3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bernard Sweeney 2 Con: Charles Gregory 2	[14]	Try: R Cook	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Billy Murray

	10 May	Richmond	6–0	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Unknown, Jack Campney	[15]		Attendance: 3,000 Referee: McCowatt

	10 May	Athletic	14–6	Mangere	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: George Yardley 2, Young, Graham Con: Craddock Dufty	[16]	Try: Jim Rukutai, M Paul	Referee: Bert Gallagher

	10 May	Devonport	2–2	City	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Pen: Bert Laing	[17]	Drop: Vic Thomas	Referee: 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] In Richmond's game at Devonport Domain, their centre Jack Campney broke his rib in the first half and a local doctor sent him to hospital for treatment.

	24 May	Mangere	35–10	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Lou Wilson jun. 3, Jack Pai, Jim Rukutai, P Tutaki 2, M Paul 2 Con: Lou Wilson jun. 2, L Moyle, M Paul	[19]	Try: Lindsay, Wally Somers Con: Clarrie Polson 2	Referee: William Mincham

	24 May	Devonport	13–7	Richmond	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: G Smith, Stan Webb, Harry Douglas Con: Bert Laing Pen: Bert Laing	[19]	Try: Ray Hyland Pen: McDonald 2	Referee: Walter Ripley

	24 May	Marist	PPD	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	1:45		[19]		Referee: Leonard Neild

	24 May	Ponsonby	PPD	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	1:45		[19]		Referee: Bert Gallagher

Round 5

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 May	Devonport	6–0	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bert Laing, Alf Scott	[20]		Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Bert Gallagher

	31 May	Marist	26–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Jim O’Brien 2, W Kirkland 2, Bill Stormont, John Lang Con: Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory 2, W Kirkland	[20]	Pen: Butler	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Leonard Nield

	31 May	Athletic	33–23	Newton	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: Austin 2, Craddock Dufty 2, Wilson Hall 2, Woolley Con: Craddock Dufty 6	[20]	Try: R Callaghan, Clarrie Polson, J Biggs, Robert Stack, John Wareing Con: Clarrie Polson 2, John Wareing 2	Referee: T Hill

	31 May	City	32–0	Ellerslie	Auckland Domain 3
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, Nelson Bass, Selby Crewther 2, Alf Townsend, Maurice Wetherill 2, George Davidson Con: Selby Crewther 3, Alf Townsend	[21]		Referee: McCowatt

Round 4 postponed matches

The postponed games were played on the Tuesday morning of King's Birthday and given the 9:30am start time and other attractions drew a decent crowd of 2,000.

	3 June	Marist	8–8	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	9:30	Try: Bernard Sweeney, Hec Brisbane Con: Charles Gregory	[22]	Try: Woolley, Ernie Herring Con: Wilson Hall	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: A Saunders

	3 June	Ellerslie	6–5	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	9:30	Try: Brien, Murray	[23]	Try: John Shirley Con: John 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 June	Devonport	16–15	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Bert Laing, Jim O'Brien, Stan Webb, Norman Veart Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott	[24]	Try: Craddock Dufty, Bert Avery (obstruction try), Graham Con: Craddock Dufty 3	Referee: A Saunders

	21 June	Ponsonby	14–2	City	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Frank Delgrosso, H Godley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	[25]	Drop: Nelson Bass	Referee: Les Bull

	21 June	Marist	44–3	Mangere	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Jim O'Brien 2, Bernard Sweeney, Mick Sherlock, George Gardiner, Jim Stormont, Hec Brisbane, John Lang 2, B Keary Con: Jim O'Brien, George Gardiner 3, Hec Brisbane, John Lang Pen: George Gardiner	[26]	Try: Arthur Ansell

	21 June	Richmond	5–0	Ellerslie	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1	[26]

Round 7

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] The match between Marist and Newton at the Auckland Domain was played in a "sea of mud" and within a few minutes Newton halfback Clarrie Polson after he received a bad kick and had to go off. George Gardiner had a big game scoring 3 tries and converting 4 tries. Bill Te Whata played his first game of rugby league for two seasons when he turned out for Athletic in their 14-5 win over Ellerslie. He had tried several times to be reinstated into rugby union with the case being controversial as the New Zealand Rugby Union contended that he had been paid to play, however it was later clarified that the money he received was from the New South Wales rugby league, not the New Zealand Rugby League. A month later he debuted for New Zealand in their series with England.

	28 June	City	32–7	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Lou Brown 3, Selby Crewther, Harry Hawkes 2, George Cargill, Ben Davidson Con: Selby Crewther 4	[28]	Try: Whittington Pen: Butler 2	Referee: Robert A Bovaird

	28 June	Athletic	14–5	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Jack McGregor 2, Woolley, Joe Hadley Con: George Yardley	[28]	Try: Andrews Con: Hettet	Referee: Percy Rogers

	28 June	Marist	41–3	Newton	Auckland Domain 1
	2:45	Try: W Kirkland 2, Hec Brisbane 2, George Gardiner 3, Jim Stormont, Baden Foss, Mick Sherlock, Jim O'Brien Con: George Gardiner 4	[29]	Try: Dick Stack	Referee: T Hill

	28 June	Devonport	24–3	Mangere	Devonport Domain
	2:45	Try: Charles Hand, Alex Godick, Harry Douglas 2, Bert Laing, Norman Veart Con: Julius Laing, Alf Scott Pen: Julius Laing	[28]	Try: M Paul	Referee: 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 July	Athletic	6–6	City	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Bill Te Whata, George Yardley	[30]	Try: Ben Davidson 2	Referee: Billy Murray

	5 July	Ponsonby	11–6	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Ward, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Pen: Frank Delgrosso	[31]	Try: Butler, Redwood	Referee: Les Bull

	5 July	Mangere	18–10	Ellerslie	Manukau 3 (Ferguson Park, Onehunga)
	2:45	Try: Unknown 18 points	[32]	Try: Unknown 10 points	Referee: Walter Ripley

	5 July	Devonport	WBD–LBD	Newton	Devonport 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 July	Marist	37–0	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: 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 July	Ponsonby	15–9	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: 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 July	Mangere	WBD–LBD	City	Victoria Park 1
	3:00		[35]		Referee: McCowatt

	12 July	Newton	11-5	Ellerslie	Victoria Park 2
	3:00	Try: Unknown 11 points	[36]	Try: Unknown 5 points	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 William Whittington to a fractured right leg 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 July	Marist	13–2	City	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: John Lang, Hec Brisbane, Bernard Sweeney Con: George Gardiner 2	[37]	Pen: Selby Crewther	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Les Bull

	19 July	Athletic	25–0	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: 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 July	Devonport	3–6	Ponsonby	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: Monteith	[39]	Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont	Referee: Billy Murray

	19 July	Ellerslie	8-19	Mangere	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00		[40]		Referee: Leonard Nield

Round 11

The round 11 was perhaps the only year in all of Auckland Rugby League from 1909 to 1945 where every single senior team lineup was published in the match day reports. Twin brothers Lou Ernest Brown and Roy (Ernest) Brown played together in the City senior side for the first time. Lou typically played on the wing with Ernest at fullback over the following 2 seasons.

	9 August	Ponsonby	17–4	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: A Watson 2, Joseph Peckham, H Goodley, Eric Grey Con: Ivan Littlewood	[41]	Pen: McDonald 2	Referee: Les Bull

	9 August	City	35–10	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: George Davidson, Selby Crewther, George Cargill, Nelson Bass 2, Lou Brown 3, Ernie Mackie Con: George Davidson, Selby Crewther 3	[42]	Try: Seagar, John McGregor Con: Seagar Pen: Seagar	Referee: A Saunders

	9 August	Devonport	21–6	Ellerslie	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: Alf Harper 3, Walter Voysey, Stan Webb Con: Alf Scott 3	[43]	Pen: Peebles, John Shand 2	Referee: H C Taylor

	9 August	Newton	12–11	Mangere	Victoria Park 2
	3:00	Try: Frank Moran, Jack Keenan Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill 2	[43]	Try: Tommy Pai, Lou Wilson jr., Jim Rukutai Con: Tommy Pai	Referee: R McCowatt

Round 12

	16 August	Ponsonby	25–10	City	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 August	Athletic	23–16	Marist	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, George Yardley, John 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 August	Richmond	10–3	Ellerslie	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: J Swift, Jack Campney Con: McDonald Pen: McDonald	[46]	Try: Harrison	Referee: William Mincham

	16 August	Devonport	27-9	Newton	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Alf Scott 2, Julius Laing, Stanley Butland, Alf Harper, G Smith, Charles Hand Con: Proctor, Unknown x 1 Pen: Tommy Taylor	[46]	Try: Moran Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill 2	Referee: Robert A Bovaird

Round 13

	23 August	Marist	16–10	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Gardiner 2, Bernard Sweeney, W Kirkland Con: George Gardiner 2	[47]	Try: Frank Delgrosso, Wilfred McNeil Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso	Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Les Bull

	23 August	Newton	11–5	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Arthur Mansill, Clarrie Polson, M Brown Con: Arthur Mansill	[48]	Try: Ray Hyland Con: McDonald	Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Hill

	23 August	Devonport	32–13	Mangere	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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, Lou Wilson jun. Con: M Paul, Arthur Ansell	Referee: Percy Addleburt Lupton

	23 August	Ellerslie	10–10	City	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: J Crotty, G Slater Con: Peebles, J Shand	[49]	Try: Ernest Ruby 2 Con: George Davidson 2	Referee: McCowatt

Round 14

Craddock Dufty converted 6 of Athletic's 8 tries on his way to the leading scorer title for the year.

	30 August	Athletic	36–21	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Graham, Jack McGregor, Woods, Bert Avery 3 Con: Craddock Dufty 6	[50]	Try: A Snedden 2, Joseph Peckham, Ivan Littlewood, John Shirley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso	Referee: William Mincham

	30 August	Marist	19–2	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Reg Malloy 2, Jim O'Brien, Billy Ghent, MacDonald Con: Bill Stormont Pen: Bill Stormont	[51]	Pen: John Shand	Referee: Wally Ripley

	30 August	Māngere	5–10	Richmond	Māngere 3 (Ferguson Park, Onehunga)
	3:00	Try: M Paul Con: M Paul	[52]	Try: Jack Campney 2 Con: Trevor Hanlon 2	Referee: Leonard Nield

	30 August	City	16–3	Newton	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: R Purdy, Thorburn, Lou Brown, Ben Davidson Con: Lou Brown Drop: Ben Davidson	[53]	Try: Arthur Mansill	Referee: 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 September	City	17–13	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: C Mitchell, George Davidson, Harry Hawkes Con: George Davidson 3 Pen: W Sandham	[54]	Try: Alf Harper, Walter Voysey, Norman Veart Pen: Bert Laing 2	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Leonard Nield

	6 September	Newton	26–18	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Watson, Alan Clarke, Thompson, Arthur Mansill 2, R 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 September	Māngere	5–29	Marist	(Ferguson Park, Onehunga)
	3:00	Try: Daniels Pen: Wilson	[56]	Try: Jim Stormont 3, W Kirkland, Jim Johnson, Lyall Stewart 2 Con: Bill Stormont, Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory Pen: Bill Stormont	Referee: Percy Rogers

	6 September	Ellerslie	11–7	Ponsonby	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: A 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. M Paul for Mangere scored on the stroke of full time in the corner to hand them the win 20-19 over Athletic. Richmond defaulted their first ever 1st grade match after a number of the players were reportedly injured or suffering from influenza.

	13 September	Devonport	25–19	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Walter Voysey, Harry Douglas 2, Norman Veart, Alf Scott (obstruction 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 September	Mangere	20–19	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	1:15	Try: Lou Wilson jun. 2, Jack Pai, Rau, M Paul 2 Pen: Norman Lipscombe	[58]	Try: Joe Hadley, Craddock Dufty, Jack McGregor, Draffin, Winkie Con: Craddock Dufty 2	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Billy Murray

	13 September	Newton	17–12	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	2:00	Try: Watson 2, Clarrie Polson, 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 September	City	WBD – LBD	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	1:15		[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 September	Devonport	47–21	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 September	Marist	34–17	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Jim Johnson 2, W Kirkland, John Stormont, George Gardiner, Reg Malloy, Bernard Sweeney, Edmund Carroll Con: Charles Gregory 5	[60]	Try: Ken Hyland 2, Trevor Hanlon Con: Trevor Hanlon 3 Pen: Trevor Hanlon	Referee: Billy Mincham

	20 September	Ellerslie	6–3	Newton	Ellerslie Reserve
	2:00	Try: Brien, J Shand	[61]	Try: Thompson	Referee: Hill

	20 September	Mangere	cancelled	Ponsonby	Manukau
	3:00		[62]		Referee: Alfred James Coulam

Final

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 September	Marist	20–17	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 September	Richmond	11–7	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hunt, Echrafft, Ray Hyland Con: Trevor Hanlon	[63]	Try: Clarke Con: John Shand Drop: John Shand	Referee: Les Bull

Round 2

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 try before retiring. He later coached Newton Rangers from 1941 to 1943.

	4 October	Devonport	5–3	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Alf Harper Pen: Bert Laing	[64]	Try: Jim O'Brien	Referee: Les Bull

	4 October	City	17–8	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, Ernest Ruby, Harry Hawkes, Lou Brown Con: Nelson Bass	[65]	Try: Roy Hardgrave 2 Con: Arthur Mansill	Referee: McCowatt

	4 October	Athletic	21–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	1:45	Try: Joe Hadley, George Yardley, Bert Avery, Charles Webb, Ernie Herring Con: Craddock Dufty 3	[66]	Drop: Sonny Hing	Referee: Saunders

	4 October	Ponsonby	24–5	Mangere	Carlaw Park 1
	1:45	Try: Leonard Riley 2, Ivan Littlewood, John Shirley, Woodleigh 2 Con: Ivan Littlewood, John Shirley Drop: Eric Grey	[65]	Try: Marshall Con: Unknown x 1	Referee: Billy Mincham

Semi finals

	11 October	City	29–11	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Davidson 3, Ernie Mackie, Sandham, Lou Brown 2 Con: Selby Crewther, W Sandham 3	[67]	Try: Charles Webb, Ernie Herring, Joe Hadley Con: Craddock Dufty	Attendance: 6,500 Referee: William Mincham

	11 October	Ponsonby	14–10	Devonport	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Dempsey, D 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 October	City	6–5	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ernie Mackie, Lou Brown	[68]	Try: Bill Walsh Con: Frank Delgrosso	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Les Bull

Top try scorers and point scorers

Craddock Dufty

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 and the round 10 match between the same two teams had no points attributed to either team. 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.

Top try scorers Rk Player Team Gms Tries 1 Joe Hadley Athletic 12 12 2= Lou Brown City 9 11 2= Bernard Sweeney Marist 14 11 3 Alf Harper Devonport 14 10 5= Ben Davidson City 12 9 5= Craddock Dufty Athletic 15 9 5= George Gardiner Marist 11 9 5= M Paul Mangere 12 9 8= Jim Stormont Marist 15 9 8= Harry Douglas Devonport 14 8 8= J Voysey Devonport 9 8 8= George Davidson City 15 8

Top point scorers Rk Player Team G T C P M Pts 1 Craddock Dufty Athletic 15 9 28 3 0 89 2 George Gardiner Marist 11 9 21 1 0 71 3 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby 16 4 15 14 0 70 4 Bert Laing Devonport 14 6 8 8 0 50 5 Alf Scott Devonport 14 5 14 0 0 43 6 George Davidson City 15 8 7 1 0 40 7= Arthur Mansill Newton 8 4 8 5 0 38 7= Selby Crewther City 13 4 12 1 0 38 9 Joe Hadley Athletic 12 12 0 0 0 36 10 Lou Brown City 9 11 1 0 0 35

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. On Wednesday the Marist side played Hamilton at Steel Park in Hamilton and won 28 to 3.

City v Marist (Christchurch)

On the call of time Mike Flynn, the City fullback, and a well known featherweight boxer from Australia broke his left leg at the shin when being tackled by a Marist player. The break was audible to the spectators nearby. He was taken to Auckland Hospital. Flynn had broken his collarbone in a game in 1923. J McCormick, a Marist forward was cut over the eye which required stitches and he was replaced by A Bateman. The match drew 10,000 spectators with the 'home' side winning through a four try effort with forward George Reid getting two of them.

	24 May	City	16–9	Marist (Christchurch)	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Selby Crewther, George Reid 2, Arthur Sutton Con: Selby Crewther 2	[69]	Try: G Batchelor Con: C Fitzgerald Pen: C Fitzgerald, E Brosnahan	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Billy Murray

City v Marist ('champion of champions')

The winners of the championship (Marist), and the winners of the Roope Rooster (City) met in a special fixture at the end of the season. It was the second year that such a game had been arranged and following the death of Bill Stormont the following year the game became an annual fixture which was played for the Bill Stormont Memorial Shield after it was donated by his family.

	27 October	City	10–10	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Nelson Bass, Lou Brown Con: Selby Crewther Pen: E Brown	[70]	Try: Reg Malloy, Jack Kirwan Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory	Attendance: 4,000

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 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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
Otahuhu Rovers	12	11	0	1	0	214	27	22
Richmond Rovers	8	4	0	4	0	38	79	8
United Suburbs	6	5	0	1	0	62	25	10
Ponsonby United	6	4	0	2	0	91	23	8
Devonport United	4	3	0	1	0	41	15	6
Kingsland Rovers	5	2	0	3	0	52	34	4
City Rovers	6	2	0	4	0	60	53	4
Manukau	2	2	0	0	0	20	0	4
Māngere United	2	0	0	2	0	2	25	0
Newton Rangers	2	0	0	2	0	5	85	0
Ellerslie United	2	0	0	2	0	14	24	0
Marist Old Boys	2	0	0	2	0	0	66	0

Third grade (Hayward Shield)

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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
City Rovers	8	8	0	0	1	156	31	16
Devonport United	4	3	0	1	3	66	20	6
Parnell	8	6	0	2	3	119	32	12
Athletic	3	3	0	0	2	71	7	6
Richmond Rovers	3	3	0	0	3	33	10	6
New Lynn	5	3	0	3	2	59	61	6
Kingsland Rovers	5	3	0	2	1	14	38	6
United Suburbs	5	2	0	3	3	34	87	4
Coromandel Old Boys	11	1	0	2	3	18	48	2
Otahuhu United	5	1	0	4	3	26	87	2
Ponsonby United	5	0	0	5	2	18	76	0
Māngere United	5	0	0	5	3	27	112	0
Point Chevalier	2	0	0	2	2	3	6	0
Manukau	3	0	0	3	2	2	31	0

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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
Ponsonby United B	5	4	0	1	2	37	31	8
Richmond Rovers	7	6	0	1	2	61	16	12
Ponsonby United A	5	5	0	0	2	116	9	10
Parnell	6	4	0	2	2	86	11	8
Marist Old Boys	6	2	1	3	1	24	57	5
Ellerslie United	5	2	0	3	2	50	28	4
United Suburbs	8	2	0	6	1	35	115	4
Takapuna	6	1	1	4	1	19	114	3
Manukau	3	1	1	1	2	3	11	3
Newton Rangers	2	1	0	1	3	13	6	2
Devonport United	4	1	0	3	2	0	15	2
City Rovers	3	0	1	2	1	0	27	1
Māngere United	2	0	0	2	1	0	4	0

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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
Ponsonby United	8	7	0	1	1	143	42	14
Athletic	8	6	0	2	0	112	125	12
Otahuhu Rovers	6	4	0	2	0	65	42	8
Richmond Rovers	7	4	0	3	0	61	67	8
New Lynn	8	3	1	4	0	36	101	7
Newton Rangers	10	3	0	7	0	114	91	6
Ellerslie United	6	3	0	3	1	27	30	6
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers	6	2	1	3	0	28	66	5
Point Chevalier	7	1	0	6	0	27	54	2
Manukau	1	1	0	0	0	5	0	2

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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
Athletic	17	16	0	1	1	77	20	32
City Rovers A	8	5	0	3	1	120	18	10
Richmond Rovers	9	6	0	3	1	119	33	12
Marist Old Boys	7	4	1	2	1	25	29	9
Newton Rangers	7	3	0	4	1	40	66	6
Parnell	7	2	0	5	0	34	35	4
City Rovers B	4	2	0	2	1	17	33	4
Manukau	3	0	1	2	1	3	20	1
Ponsonby United	5	0	0	5	0	4	48	0
Leys Institute	8	0	0	8	0	8	145	0

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.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	F	A	Pts
Ellerslie United	12	12	0	0	1	125	33	24
Richmond Rovers	10	5	1	4	1	87	28	11
Parnell	7	3	1	3	1	50	37	7
City Rovers	7	2	0	5	1	34	33	4
Marist Old Boys	8	2	0	6	1	36	50	4
Manukau	3	2	0	1	1	9	29	4
Athletic	7	0	0	7	0	36	108	0

House matches

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

• Sharland and Company
• Kempthorne
• Ross and Glendining
• Palmer, Collins and Whittaker
• Unity and Leightons
• Clarke and Matheson
• Herald
• Mennie and Dey's
• Hayman's Limited
• Wisman's Limited
• Star
• Nathan
• United Printers (won the Morrison shield when Combined Printers defaulted to them in their one-off match)
• Combined Printers
• Smith and Smith
• Herbert Brothers

Representative fixtures

Ernie Asher

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 June	Auckland	15–7	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 June	Auckland	17–2	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, M McNeil, Nelson Bass Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty	[74]	Pen: E J Ryan	Attendance: 4000 Referee: Bert Gallagher

Auckland v Australian Universities

Frank Delgrosso

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 June	Auckland	14–14	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 June	Probables	9–14	Possibles	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: 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 July	Auckland B	28–18	Hamilton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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.

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 July	Auckland	11–24	England	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 July	Auckland Province	13–28	England	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 August	Auckland B	15–14	Lower Waikato	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: 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 September	South Auckland (Waikato)	21–5	Auckland	Steele Park, Hamilton
	3:00	Try: Dufty, Hemingway, Stevenson, Raynor, Allen Con: Dufty, Raynor Pen: Dufty	[72]	Try: Lou Brown Pen: Alan Clarke	Referee: W Waring

Junior representative fixtures

	Date		Score		Score	Venue
Junior representative match	30 Aug [82]	Auckland Juniors	14	Hamilton Juniors	8	Carlaw Park # 1
Junior representative match	4 Oct [83]	Hamilton Juniors	8	Auckland Juniors	17	Steele Park, Hamilton

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

No	Name	Club Team	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	Points
1	Craddock Dufty	Athletic	4	0	4	3	14
2	Ben Davidson	City	4	3	0	0	9
3	Bert Laing	Devonport	2	2	1	0	8
4	Ivan Littlewood	Ponsonby	3	2	0	0	6
5	Nelson Bass	City	4	2	0	0	6
5	George Davidson	City	3	1	0	0	3
5	Clarrie Polson	Newton	3	1	0	0	3
8	Wilfred McNeil	Ponsonby	3	1	0	0	3
8	Harry Douglas	Devonport	1	1	0	0	3
10	Lou Brown	City	1	1	0	0	3
11	Maurice Wetherill	City	5	0	1	0	2
11	Alan Clarke	Newton	1	0	0	1	2
13	A Garratt	Devonport	1	0	0	0	0
14	Jim O'Brien	Marist	2	0	0	0	0
14	Alf Townsend	City	3	0	0	0	0
14	Bill Stormont	Marist	2	0	0	0	0
14	Hec McDonald	City	3	0	0	0	0
14	Bert Avery	Athletic	2	0	0	0	0
14	Frank Delgrosso	Ponsonby	3	0	0	0	0
14	Jim O'Brien	Devonport	2	0	0	0	0
14	Billy Ghent	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
14	Charles Gregory	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
23	Hec Brisbane	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
24	Ernie Herring	Athletic	1	0	0	0	0
24	Wally Somers	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
24	George Gardiner	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
24	Selby Crewther	City	1	0	0	0	0
24	Robert (Bob) Crewther	City	1	0	0	0	0
24	Tommy Pai	Māngere	1	0	0	0	0
24	George Mormon	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0
24	Lipscombe	Māngere	1	0	0	0	0
24	Jack Pai	Māngere	1	0	0	0	0
24	Ernie Mackie	City	1	0	0	0	0
24	John Wallett Shirley	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0

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.

References

1. "Marist Win Final Replay/Twenty Points to Seventeen/Devonport Just Beaten". The New Zealand Herald . Vol. LXI, no. 18826. 29 September 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
2. "Management Committee". Auckland Star . Vol. LV, no. 86. 10 April 1924. p. 8. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
3. "Manukau Change Over,". Auckland Star . Vol. LV, no. 165. 14 July 1924. p. 8. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
4. "Manukau Change Over/The Reason Why/Exception Taken to League's Ruling". Auckland Star . Vol. LV, no. 162. 10 July 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
5. "Why Manukau Changed Over/Management Criticised/Unsatisfactory Decisions". Auckland Star . Vol. 55, no. 164. 12 July 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
6. "League Football". Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 80. 3 April 1924. p. 12. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
7. "The League Game/Management Committee". New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18687. 17 April 1924. p. 14. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
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External links

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site