This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience.(September 2023) |
The 1929 Auckland Rugby League season was its 20th. One of the key events of the season was the tour of the South Sydney side.
The First Grade Championship was won by Ponsonby who defeated Devonport in the final 5–0. Marist won the Thistle Cup for competition points accrued during the second round of matches where they went undefeated. They also won the Roope Rooster trophy after defeating Ponsonby in the final 17–9. They weren't finished yet, defeating the same opponent to win the Stormont Shield 28–14. This was the second consecutive year that they won both of those trophies.
Richmond entered a team into the B Grade which was arguably the first ever 'reserve grade' team in Auckland club rugby league. The B Grade competition was won by Point Chevalier who defeated Otahuhu in the final 13 points to 10. This earned Point Chevalier the right to playoff with Ellerslie who had come last in the A Grade championship losing all 14 of their matches. Ellerslie won the match by 5 points to 0 to remain in A Grade for 1930. Otahuhu beat Point Chevalier 11–0 to win the Stallard Cup which had previously been a knockout competition for the B Grade, however this season a full round robin was played before the final.
Team | 1st | B Div. | 2nd | 3rd Open | 3rd Int. | 4th | 5th | 6th A | 6th B | Schools | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richmond Rovers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
Devonport United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Kingsland Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Ponsonby United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
City Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Point Chevalier | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Marist Old Boys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Newton Rangers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Ellerslie United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Otahuhu Rovers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Mount Albert United | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Glen Lynn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Akarana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Newmarket | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Remuera | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Mount Wellington | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Māngere United | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Parnell | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Papatoetoe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Devonport Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Māngere Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Mount Albert Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Ōtāhuhu Schools | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Onehunga Convent (St Joseph's School) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Papatoetoe Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Richmond Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Newmarket Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Newton Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Parnell Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Ellerslie Primary School | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 84 |
The annual report for the completed 1928 season revealed that £3272 was taken in gate receipts from club matches alone at Carlaw Park. The total from all matches was £4573 with £517 paid to injured players. A further £609 1s 3d was spent on maintenance and improvement at Carlaw Park. Clubs were also granted £326 18s 5d and charitable causes received £142 10s 4d. League assets including Carlaw Park were reported as £10,569 16s 4d, with a consolidated fund of £9810 11s 9d. [1]
It was stated prior to the season that Auckland Rugby League would be concentrating much more on the club game and that no representative games would be played during it. This was in response to the 1928 season where a large representative program had been played along with the hosting of the touring England team. The Senior B competition was weakened considerably after the Kingsland team amalgamated with Grafton Athletic and moved up into the A Grade. The Senior B league was also ‘lowered in status’ with several of the stronger players moving into A grade sides.
On 23 April The New Zealand Herald published a lengthy summary of rugby league in Auckland from its beginnings in 1909 to the present day (1929). [2]
The Otahuhu Trotting Club wrote to the Auckland Rugby League advising them that the league could make use of two playing grounds on its property on Tennessee Avenue in Mangere East. [3]
On 2 April a new club was formed in Papatoetoe after a meeting was held in their town hall. It was decided to field three junior teams though ultimately they only fielded one team in the 6B Grade. [4] This was not the Papatoetoe Panthers club which was formed at a much later date.
At a meeting of the Grafton Athletic and Kingsland Rovers League Football Clubs it was decided to amalgamate and become known as Kingsland Athletic. The meeting was attended by 80 members. They decided that their colours would be a maroon jersey with a blue and gold shield. [5] They requested to be placed in the Senior A Grade. A lengthy discussion was held at a management committee meeting before they agreed to accept the team in the A Grade. This made the number of teams in the grade 8. [6] Their senior team was coached by former New Zealand captain Bert Avery who had been a playing member of Maritime/Grafton Athletic.
A rule change brought in for the beginning of the season was to make each half 40 minutes in length rather than 45 minutes. Another rule change occurred prior to round 5 with alterations to the play-the-ball rule. The idea was the prevent players from playing the ball to the side. Players had been allowed to turn their body and pass the ball from the foot to their own team. “On occasions the ball travelled but a few feet, which invariably resulted in players of both teams fighting for possessions on the ground. It must be said that too much of the game is wasted with players lying on the ball. Now it is necessary to play the ball, forwards or backwards, past the opposing player. Should it be kicked to the side, all players must stand outside the five yards limit before the ball can be handled by them”. [7]
An ongoing issue for club league in Auckland, and indeed New Zealand were the continuing losses of top players to English clubs. Over three seasons nine players left to join professional English sides. Wigan signed Lou Brown, Ben Davidson and Len Mason, while Wilson Hall played for Leeds, and Roy Hardgrave, Trevor Hall, and Lou Hutt all joined St. Helens. Trevor Hanlon of the Richmond club signed for Broughton Rangers club late in the season. [8]
After a series of very wet matches played at Carlaw Park and many requests for improved changing and washing conditions the Auckland Rugby League met to discuss the matter. They planned to “increase the showers and add hot water installations”. The Devonport delegate said “his club now shared the expense of a bus, and the team went to the Tepid Baths after each match. Another delegate said that hot water provision was required for curtain-raiser and other teams, which did not desire to leave the ground”. The league decided to begin with the work and complete it by Saturday week. [9]
On 9 October the Management Committee met regarding the improvement of accommodation at Carlaw Park. Chairman Mr. George Rhodes said that an extra stand with dressing rooms would cost £12,000 which was money that the league did not have. The existing stand was taken up with 800 vice-presidents who gained free entry and so there was little revenue to be gained by adding to this area. He did however say that they were “keen to assist players in providing better dressing rooms and offices where the League could centralise its business. [10]
South Sydney became the first ever Australian club to tour New Zealand. They played three matches. Two were played against Marist Old Boys at Carlaw Park on consecutive Saturdays and a midweek game was played against Huntly in Huntly. They were defeated in the first match 10–9, before winning the return match 25–5.
12 October | Marist | 10–9 | South Sydney | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Charles Gregory 2 Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory | [11] | Try: Jack Why Con: Alf Blair Pen: Benny Wearing, Oscar Quinlivan | Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Arthur Harlock |
19 October | Marist | 5–21 | South Sydney | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: George Batchelor Pen: Charles Gregory | [12] | Try: Benny Wearing, Carl Eggen 2, Harry Eyers, Alf Binder Con: Benny Wearing Pen: Benny Wearing 2 | Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Les Bull |
The Round 6 match between Richmond and Kingsland was postponed as Richmond had travelled to Hikurangi to play against the local team which was in its second season.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ponsonby United | 15 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 276 | 116 | 25 |
Devonport United | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 236 | 113 | 23 |
City Rovers | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 171 | 153 | 18 |
Marist Old Boys | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 206 | 157 | 17 |
Newton Rangers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 144 | 223 | 14 |
Kingsland Athletic | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 143 | 209 | 11 |
Richmond Rovers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 105 | 161 | 6 |
Ellerslie United | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 86 | 235 | 0 |
On April 20 several pre-season matches were played at Carlaw Park involving first grade teams and senior B sides. Newton Rangers defeated Richmond Rovers by 10 points to 0 with Roy Hardgrave scoring a try and kicking a penalty and converting W. Johnstone's try. Ellerslie United surprised Devonport United with a 5-5 draw. Marist Old Boys beat City 5-0, Kingsland Athletic beat Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 13-8, and Mount Wellington and Parnell played out a 0-0 draw. The senior B teams involved were Kingsland-Athletic, Parnell, Mount Wellington, and Northcote.
During the season Craddock Dufty who had starred for Auckland and New Zealand for several seasons fell out with the Newton club and asked for a transfer to Ellerslie. The Management Committee eventually granted the transfer.In the match between Newton and Marist Roy Hardgrave was concussed and had to leave the field. G Rhodes was also concussed later in the match and was taken to the hospital. For City in their match with Kingsland McLaughlin broke his nose and had to leave for treatment. Cyril Brimble had moved to Newton from the Manukau rugby club. His younger brother Ted Brimble would follow in the following season. And then in 1935 younger brother Wilfred would also join the ranks of Newton. Another brother Walter joined Manukau and he, Ted, and Wilfred, would all go on to represent New Zealand.
27 April | Devonport | 20–8 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Coghlan, Len Scott, J Beattie, Ernest Ruby Con: Alf Scott 2, H Scott Pen: Allan Seagar | [13] | Try: Schofield, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso | Attendance: 5000 Referee: Les Bull |
27 April | Newton | 21–20 | Marist | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: M Little 2, Cyril Brimble 2, Stanley Francis Con: Roy Hardgrave, C Rhodes Pen: Butterworth | [13] | Try: Jim O'Brien, Jock Graham 2, D Duane Con: Owen Cronin 2, George Batchelor Pen: George Batchelor | Attendance: 5000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
27 April | Ellerslie | 8–22 | Richmond | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Ivan Littlewood, Hubert Crewther Pen: Ivan Littlewood | [13] | Try: Colebrook, McKinnon 2, Ted Mincham, Coote 2 Con: Ted Mincham, Trevor Hanlon | Referee: A McKubrey |
27 April | City | 21–6 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: J Iverson 2, C Reynolds 2, J L Cocks Con: Laurie Barchard 3 | [13] | Try: Angelo, Claude List | Attendance: 5000 Referee: T Chernside |
4 May | Richmond | 9–8 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Ted Mincham Con: Ted Mincham Pen: Ted Mincham 2 | [14] | Try: Dick Moisley Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory | Referee: Les Bull |
4 May | Ponsonby | 8–3 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: Winters Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [14] | Try: Roy Hardgrave | Referee: Percy Rogers |
4 May | City | 11–8 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Hadley, Lawrence, George Perry Con: Laurie Barchard | [14] | Try: Bob Crewther, Hobbs Pen: Hemingway | Referee: Vic Simpson |
4 May | Devonport | 29–7 | Kingsland | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: O'Leary 2, Stanley Rule 2, Alf Scott, S Casey, C Rhodes Con: Alf Scott 2, Ernest Ruby, J Beattie | [14] | Try: Angelo Con: Herring Pen: Herring | Referee: A McKubrey |
11 May | Ponsonby | 14–10 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: J Payne, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [15] | Try: McDonald, Phil Brady Con: Alan Clarke 2 | Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
11 May | City | 15–12 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Townsend, George Perry, Reynolds Con: Laurie Barchard, Wilson Hall Pen: Laurie Barchard | [15] | Try: Ted Mincham, McKinnon Pen: Ted Mincham, Joseph Hamilton 2 | Attendance: 5,000 Referee: B Emirali |
11 May | Newton | 12–10 | Kingsland | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Roy Hardgrave, Hammond Con: Cyril Brimble Pen: Cyril Brimble 2 | [15] | Try: Ralph Longville, R Carter Con: Ralph Longville Pen: Ralph Longville | Referee: Freeman Thompson |
11 May | Ellerslie | 12–16 | Devonport | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Ivan Littlewood, Johnson Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway 2 | [15] | Try: P Masefield, McCarthy, J Beattie, Len Scott Con: Allan Seagar 2 | Referee: T Chernside |
18 May | Devonport | 8–4 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Len Scott 2 Pen: Alf Scott | [16] | Pen: Steve Watene 2 | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull |
18 May | Ponsonby | 15–10 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: A McIntyre 3 Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [16] | Try: Bill Davis Con: Ted Mincham 2 Pen: Joseph Hamilton | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: A McKubrey |
18 May | Newton | 15–7 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Roy Hardgrave 2, Cyril Brimble Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Drop: Craddock Dufty | [16] | Try: Ivan Littlewood Con: Ivan Littlewood Pen: Hemingway | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: G McGowatt |
18 May | Marist | 18–18 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:45 | Try: Norm Campbell, Jock Graham 2, Wilf Hassan Con: Norm Campbell, Hickey Pen: Norm Campbell | [16] | Try: R Carter 2, Longfield, McLaughlin Con: Longfield 2 Pen: Longfield | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: T Chernside |
The Devonport win over Richmond was their 100th first grade win in their 20th consecutive year in first grade. To this point they had a 100 win, 12 draw, and 85 loss record.
25 May | Devonport | 15–7 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Trevor O'Leary 2, C Rhodes Con: Lindsay Simons 2 Pen: Lindsay Simons | [17] | Try: Trevor Hanlon Pen: Ted Mincham 2 | Referee: T Chernside |
25 May | Newton | 17–12 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: Roy Hardgrave, M Little, C Rhodes Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty | [17] | Try: Steve Watene, C Reynolds Con: Steve Watene Pen: Steve Watene 2 | Referee: Les Bull |
25 May | Ponsonby | 41–10 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Lou Hutt, Winters, Schofield 2, J Payne, Moore, A McIntyre 2, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 6 Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [17] | Try: R Carter, Ralph Longville Con: Ralph Longville | Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
25 May | Marist | 19–16 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:45 | Try: Phil Brady 4, George Batchelor Con: Norm Campbell Pen: Alan Clarke | [17] | Try: Cook, Chapman, Oliff Con: Cook, Oliff | Referee: Arthur Rae |
Alan Clarke was sent off in the Marist v City game for questioning the referee.
1 June | Devonport | 24–9 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Alf Scott, J Beattie 2, Trevor O'Leary, Allan Seagar, Les O'Leary Con: Lindsay Simons, Allan Seagar 2 | [18] | Try: Stanley Francis Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
1 June | Ponsonby | 24–5 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: A McIntyre, Lou Hutt, Winters, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 | [19] | Try: Oliff Con: Oliff | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: T Hill |
1 June | City | 5–3 | Marist | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: J Iverson Con: Laurie Barchard | [20] | Try: Hickey | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A McKubrey |
1 June | Richmond | PPD | Kingsland | |||
[18] |
In the match between Marist and Devonport both Ernest Ruby and Campney were sent off for fighting late in the match. For Newton Craddock Dufty refused to play in protest against the non-selection of Wally Somers. As a result Newton cancelled his registration with the club. Somers also decided to retire at this point though he ultimately joined the Ellerslie team for the 1930 season. [21] [22] Dufty then signed with Ellerslie where he had moved to earlier in the year. Cook was sent off in Ellerslie’s match for arguing with a referring decision.
8 June | Ponsonby | 37–11 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Winters, Schofield 3, Frank Delgrosso, Lou Hutt, Riley 2, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [23] | Try: McLaughlin, Bill Hamilton, Lawrence Barchard Con: McLaughlin | Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
8 June | Marist | 13–13 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | Try: Charles Gregory, Jock Johnson, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 2 | [23] | Try: Ernest Ruby Con: Lindsay Simons Pen: Lindsay Simons 4 | Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
8 June | Newton | 13–10 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Trevor Hall, Roy Hardgrave, Page Con: Roy Hardgrave 2 | [23] | Try: Coote 2 Con: Joseph Hamilton Pen: Joseph Hamilton | Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Vic Simpson |
8 June | Kingsland | 17–5 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:45 | Try: R Carter, Claude List 2 Con: Ralph Longville 2 Pen: Ralph Longville 2 | [23] | Try: Cooke Con: Sam Crewther | Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Arthur Rae |
15 June | Devonport | 10–5 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: S Casey, McCarthy Con: Allan Seagar 2 | [24] | Try: Lou Hutt Con: Frank Delgrosso | Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Les Bull |
15 June | City | 13–8 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:30 | Try: Hadley, George Perry 2 Con: Steve Watene 2 | [24] | Try: Ramm, Claude List Con: Ralph Longville | Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Billy Mincham |
15 June | Marist | 20–19 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Phil Brady, McDonald 2, Jock Johnson Con: Norm Campbell 3 Pen: Norm Campbell | [24] | Try: C Rhodes, Roy Hardgrave 2, Trevor Hall, Cyril Brimble Con: Roy Hardgrave Pen: Cyril Brimble | Attendance: 12,000 Referee: A McKubrey |
15 June | Richmond | 10–5 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:30 | Try: Ralph Jenkinson, Ted Mincham Pen: Joseph Hamilton, Ted Mincham | [24] | Try: Hobbs Pen: Craddock Dufty | Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Wilfred Simpson |
22 June | Ponsonby | 42–3 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Thompson, Frank Delgrosso 2, Winters, Schofield 2, A McIntyre 2, Skelton 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 4, George Gardiner 2 | [25] | Try: Roy Hardgrave | Referee: Vic Simpson |
22 June | Devonport | 19–8 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Les O'Leary 3, Ernest Ruby, Trevor O'Leary Con: Allan Seagar 2 | [25] | Try: R Carter, Christmas Pen: Railey | Referee: G McCowatt |
22 June | Richmond | 9–11 | Marist | Grey Lynn Park | ||
3:00 | Try: Ralph Jenkinson Pen: Ted Mincham 3 | [25] | Try: Hickey, Jim O'Brien, Bulcraig Pen: Norm Campbell | Attendance: 600 Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
22 June | Ellerslie | 0–10 | City | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | [25] | Try: George Perry, Lawrence Barchard Con: Lawrence Barchard 2 | Referee: Percy Rogers |
29 June | Ponsonby | 10–10 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: A McIntyre, Riley Con: George Gardiner Pen: George Gardiner | [26] | Try: Jock Graham, Jock Johnson Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory | Referee: Percy Rogers |
29 June | City | 24–0 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: George Perry, Lawrence Barchard 2, McLaughlin, Hadley, J Iverson Con: Steve Watene 3 | [26] | Referee: Les Bull |
29 June | Kingsland | 14–10 | Newton | Auckland Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: R Carter, Simms 2, McLoughlan Con: Railey | [26] | Try: Kenneth Peckham, Ferguson Con: Cyril Brimble 2 | Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
29 June | Devonport | 19–5 | Ellerslie | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: Len Scott 2, Allan Seagar, Stanley Rule, Les O'Leary Con: Lindsay Simons 2 | [26] | Try: Bob Crewther Con: 'Shorty' Oliff | Referee: G McCowatt |
6 July | City | 17–8 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Lawrence Barchard 2, McLaughlin, N Pascoe, George Perry Con: Lawrence Barchard | [27] | Try: Les O'Leary, Len Scott Con: Alf Scott | Referee: Vic Simpson |
6 July | Ponsonby | 21–16 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Winters 2, Schofield, Riley, J Payne Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 | [27] | Try: Ted Mincham, Davis, Stan Prentice, Lennie Con: Ted Mincham 2 | Referee: B Emirali |
6 July | Marist | 25–10 | Kingsland | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Jock Johnson, George Batchelor, McDonald 2, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 4 Pen: Charles Gregory | [27] | Try: Claude List, Carter Pen: Ralph Longville 2 | Referee: William Mincham |
6 July | Ellerslie | 5–7 | Newton | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Tooman Con: Craddock Dufty | [27] | Try: M Little Con: Kenneth Peckham Pen: Kenneth Peckham | Referee: S Billman |
W. Shortland, an ex-Maori All Black transferred to City Rovers and made his debut for them. He had previously represented North Auckland at the halfback position. Shortland was said to have played a “sterling game, demonstrating that the thirteen-a-side code suited his particular type of play”. [28] P Skelton also transferred from rugby where he had been playing five eighth for the Grammar Old Boys club. He joined the Ponsonby side and scored a try on debut and also set up their second try for W. Skelton (no relation). Their match was originally scheduled to be played on the number one field as a curtain-raiser but was transferred to the number two field as the former was in a poor condition however the number two ground “soon became a sea of mud”. The Marist and Ellerslie match at the Auckland Domain was postponed as the field was deemed unfit for play. The condition of Carlaw Park was so bad that it was discussed at the management committee meeting later in the week and it was decided that conditions needed to be improved for players immediately.
13 July | Devonport | 14–0 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Len Scott, McCarthy 2, J Beattie Con: Lindsay Simons | [29] | Referee: Les Bull |
13 July | City | 16–6 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: W Perry, Reynolds, Hadley, George Perry Con: Lawrence Barchard Pen: Lawrence Barchard | [29] | Try: Cammick, Stanley Francis | Referee: Wilfred Simpson |
13 July | Ponsonby | 9–0 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:30 | Try: Pat Skelton, George Gardiner, W Skelton | [30] | Referee: Vic Simpson |
13 July | Marist | Abandoned | Ellerslie | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
3:00 | [29] | Referee: S Billman |
R.D. Revell transferred from Ponsonby to Kingsland during the week.
20 July | Marist | 13–7 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Jock Graham, Dick Moisley, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 2 | [31] | Try: McLaughlin Con: Steve Watene Pen: Steve Watene | Referee: Percy Rogers |
20 July | Devonport | 35–3 | Newton | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: J Beattie 2, C Rhodes, Len Scott 2, Stanley Rule, Allan Seagar, S Casey 2, Con: Lindsay Simons 4 | [31] | Try: McLeod | Referee: S Billman |
20 July | Kingsland | 6–0 | Richmond | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Claude List, Christmas | [31] | Referee: Wilfred Simpson |
20 July | Ellerslie | 3–20 | Ponsonby | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Grogan | [31] | Try: Moore 2, W Skelton, Victor Fagan, Pat Skelton, George Gardiner Con: Frank Delgrosso | Referee: W Weston |
T Hanlon of the Richmond senior side was signed by Broughton Rangers in England. He was due to depart on the Ruahine on August 21. [32] The match at Mt Wellington was the first ever senior match played there making it the 23rd venue for senior rugby league matches in Auckland since 1908.
3 August | Marist | 10–6 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Phil Brady, Jock Johnson Con: Charles Gregory 2 | [33] | Try: J Beattie 2 | Referee: Les Bull |
3 August | Ponsonby | 17–5 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:30 | Try: Pat Skelton 2, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 | [33] | Try: George Perry Con: Lawrence Barchard | Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
3 August | Newton | 6–0 | Richmond | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: M Little 2 | [33] | Referee: Arthur Rae |
3 August | Kingsland | 19–7 | Ellerslie | Mt Wellington (Westfield) | ||
3:00 | Try: York 3, Angelo, Simms Con: Lucas Drop: Claude List | [33] | Try: Crewther Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway | Referee: S Billman |
10 August | Marist | 26–0 | Ellerslie | Auckland Domain | ||
2:00 | Try: McDonald 2, Charles Gregory, Jock Johnson, Wilf Hassan 2 Con: Charles Gregory 4 | [34] | Referee: Bertie Victor Emirali |
The Round 6 match which was postponed saw Richmond default to Kingsland.
10 August | Kingsland | WBD-LBD | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:30 | [34] | Referee: Arthur Rae |
10 August | Ponsonby | 5–0 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: George Gardiner Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [34] | Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Les Bull |
Marist won the Roope Rooster for the second consecutive year after defeating Ponsonby 17–9 in the final.
Arnold Berridge joined Richmond after transferring from rugby where he had been an Auckland representative player. He kicked 4 penalties on debut against Devonport in a 17–12 victory. In the match between Ponsonby and Newton, White (the Ponsonby fullback) had to leave the field with a broken collarbone early in the second half. Hammond then left the field with an injured neck and Kenneth Peckham followed him soon after, also injured.
31 August | Marist | 9–3 | Kingsland | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Hec Brisbane, Phil Brady, George Batchelor | [35] | Try: Lou Wilson | Referee: Wilfred Simpson |
31 August | Richmond | 17–12 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Patterson 2, Surtess Pen: Arnold Berridge 4 | [35] | Try: Trevor O'Leary, Allan Seagar Con: Allan Seagar 2 Pen: Allan Seagar | Referee: K Menzies |
31 August | Ponsonby | 31–24 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Pat Skelton 2, Bill Skelton, George Gardiner, Schofield, Moore, A McIntyre Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 | [35] | Try: M Little, Hill, Stanley Francis 2, Cyril Brimble, Arthur Mansill Con: Kenneth Peckham 2 | Referee: Arthur Rae |
31 August | City | 18–9 | Ellerslie | Mt Wellington | ||
3:00 | Try: Stan Clark, Lawrence Barchard, George Perry, J Iveson Con: Lawrence Barchard 3 | [36] | Try: Bob Crewther Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway, Craddock Dufty | Referee: Stuart Billman |
14 September | Marist | 23–7 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:15 | Try: Phil Brady, McDonald, Jim O'Brien, George Batchelor, Jock Graham Con: Charles Gregory 2, Jim O'Brien Pen: Charles Gregory | [37] | Try: Hadley Pen: Steve Watene Drop: McLoughlin | Referee: Les Bull |
14 September | Ponsonby | 23–0 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
2:00 | Try: Skelton, Winters, A McIntyre, Riley, Schofield Con: Skelton, Frank Delgrosso, Moore Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [37] | Referee: Vic Simpson |
21 September | Marist | 17–9 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Charles Gregory, Jim O'Brien, Phil Brady, Alan Clarke, Wilf Hassan Con: Jim O'Brien | [38] | Try: Winters, George Gardiner, Schofield | Referee: Percy Rogers |
Frank Delgrosso went off in the second half with an injured knee.
28 September | Marist | 28–14 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Jock Johnson, George Batchelor 3, Penalty Try, Norm Campbell Con: Charles Gregory 3, George Batchelor Pen: Charles Gregory | [39] | Try: A McIntyre, Skelton Con: Skelton, George Gardiner Pen: George Gardiner 2 | Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Vic Simpson |
Top try and point scorers for A Division and Roope Rooster matches. Frank Delgrosso became just the second player in the competition's history to pass the 100 point mark for matches played in the Monteith Shield (for the first grade competition) and the Roope Rooster when he scored 108 for Ponsonby. The only previous player to do it was Bill Davidson who scored 117 points in 1922. By this point Delgrosso had scored 532 points in total for Ponsonby across all senior matches from 1919 to 1929 which was the most of any player who had played in Auckland to this point. Craddock Dufty was on 495 points however with both players still active they would continue to add to their tallies. Phil Brady of Marist was the top try scorer with 13 closely followed by Schofield of Ponsonby who scored 12.
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The Round 5 match between Northcote and Māngere resulted in a win to the former team but the actual score was not stated. The standings include the final played between Ōtāhuhu and Point Chevalier, won by the latter by 13 points to 10.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Point Chevalier | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 108 | 61 | 19 |
Otahuhu Rovers | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 223 | 44 | 17 |
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 66 | 77 | 10 |
Richmond Rovers B | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 89 | 87 | 8 |
Parnell | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 112 | 145 | 4 |
Māngere United | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 50 | 232 | 0 |
In the first round of the season Māngere began their match with Ōtāhuhu with just ten players, though had reached thirteen near halftime. It was the first time league had been played on the newly acquired Māngere Domain.
On 8 May at the Management Committee meeting Northcote requested that the opening round match in the Senior B competition be awarded to them on account of Richmond B defaulting. However the league said that the match would be replayed at the end of the season if it would affect the outcome of the competition.
The Round 8 match between Otahuhu and Point Chevalier was held at Papatoetoe at the Papatoetoe Recreation Ground which was the first senior match played in the area. Around 1,000 spectators turned up to watch the match. Otahuhu won a close fought match 10–6.
After Round 10 was completed the Auckland Rugby League decided that the match between Point Chevalier and Otahuhu would decide the championship. The match was played on Carlaw Park and saw Point Chevalier win by 13 points to 10.
Date | Score | Score | Venue | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | 28 April [40] | Point Chevalier | 11 | Parnell | 10 | Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm | |
– | 28 April | Mangere | 0 | Otahuhu | 48 | Mangere Domain, 3pm | |
Round 2 | 4 May [41] | Otahuhu | 20 | Richmond B | 7 | Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm | |
– | 4 May | Mangere | 6 | Parnell | 29 | Mangere, 3pm | |
– | 4 May | Point Chevalier | 10 | Northcote | 3 | Point Chevalier, 3pm | |
Round 3 | 11 May [42] | Northcote | 11 | Parnell | 2 | Victoria Park, 3pm | |
– | 11 May | Point Chevalier | 5 | Otahuhu | 5 | Point Chevalier # 2, 3pm | |
– | 11 May | Mangere | 0 | Richmond B | 32 | Mangere, 3pm | |
Round 4 | 18 May [43] | Northcote | 3 | Otahuhu | 2 | Northcote, 3pm | |
– | 18 May | Point Chevalier | 14 | Mangere | 6 | Point Chevalier, 3pm | |
– | 18 May | Richmond B | 13 | Parnell | 10 | Grey Lynn, 3pm | |
Round 5 | 25 May [44] | Richmond B | 0 | Point Chevalier | 6 | Grey Lynn, 3pm | |
– | 25 May | Otahuhu | 22 | Parnell | 0 | Mangere, 2pm | |
– | 25 May | Mangere | L | Northcote | W | Mangere, 3:15pm | |
Round 6 | 1 June [18] | Richmond B | 19 | Northcote | 11 | Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm | |
– | 1 June | Point Chevalier | 10 | Parnell | 7 | Point Chevalier, 3pm | |
– | 1 June | Otahuhu | 40 | Mangere | 0 | Sturgess Park, Otahuhu, 3pm | |
Round 7 | 8 June [45] | Otahuhu | 13 | Richmond B | 0 | Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm | |
– | 8 June | Parnell | 33 | Mangere | 14 | Auckland Domain #2, 3pm | |
– | 8 June | Northcote | 5 | Point Chevalier | 8 | Stafford Park, Northcote, 3pm | |
Round 8 | 15 June [46] | Otahuhu | 10 | Point Chevalier | 6 | Papatoetoe Recreation Ground, Papatoetoe 3pm | 1,000 |
– | 15 June | Richmond B | 8 | Mangere | 13 | Grey Lynn, 3pm | |
– | 15 June | Northcote | 16 | Parnell | 10 | Victoria Park, 3pm | |
Round 9 | 22 June [47] | Otahuhu | 21 | Northcote | 5 | Otahuhu, 3pm | |
– | 22 June | Mangere | 5 | Point Chevalier | 17 | Mangere, 3pm | |
– | 22 June | Richmond B | 10 | Parnell | 6 | Point Chevalier # 2, 3pm | |
Round 10 | 29 June [48] | Point Chevalier | 8 | Richmond B | 0 | Point Chevalier, 3pm | |
– | 29 June | Northcote | 11 | Mangere | 6 | Northcote, 3pm | |
– | 29 June | Otahuhu | 32 | Parnell | 5 | Papatoetoe, 3pm | |
Final | 6 July [49] | Point Chevalier | 13 | Otahuhu | 10 | Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm | |
Ellerslie had come last in the A Grade for the second year in a row. Though unlike the previous season where they had won 3 matches in 1929 they were winless after battling injuries and the loss of players. However they managed to defeat Point Chevalier, who had won the B Grade by 5 points to 0 and thus remain in the A Grade for the 1930 season.
24 August | Ellerslie | 5–0 | Point Chevalier | Carlaw Park | ||
1:30 | Try: Arthur Pen: Craddock Dufty | [50] | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
Date | Score | Score | Venue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | 13 July [51] | Northcote | 5 | Parnell | 2 | Victoria Park, 3pm |
– | 13 July | Mangere | 17 | Richmond B | 3 | Sturgess Park, Otahuhu , 3pm |
– | 13 July | Otahuhu | 5 | Point Chevalier | 0 | Mangere Racecourse, 3pm |
Round 2 | 20 July [52] | Northcote | 9 | Mangere | 5 | Victoria Park, 3pm |
– | 20 July | Point Chevalier | 5 | Richmond B | 3 | Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm |
– | 20 July | Otahuhu | 24 | Parnell | 0 | Auckland Domain # 5, 3pm |
Round 3 | 3 Aug [33] | Northcote | 6 | Richmond B | 0 | Outer Domain, 3pm |
– | 3 Aug | Point Chevalier | 11 | Parnell | 8 | Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm |
– | 3 Aug | Otahuhu | 12 | Mangere | 8 | Victoria Park, 3pm |
Round 4 | 10 Aug [34] | Point Chevalier | 13 | Mangere | 0 | Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm |
– | 10 Aug | Parnell | PPD | Richmond | PPD | Auckland Domain, 3pm |
– | 10 Aug | Otahuhu | 7 | Northcote | 3 | Victoria Park, 3pm |
Round 5 | 31 Aug [53] | Richmond B | 11 | Otahuhu | 8 | Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm |
– | 31 Aug | Parnell | Loss by Forfeit | Mangere | Won by Forfeit | Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm |
– | 31 Aug | Point Chevalier | 3 | Northcote | 2 | Victoria Park, 3pm |
Final | 7 Sep [54] | Otahuhu | 11 | Point Chevalier | 0 | Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm |
Richmond won the Davis Shield for lower grade points accumulated once again. They would dominate this trophy throughout the 1920s and 30s.
Devonport won the championship after sealing it in round 14 with a 12-0 win over Kingsland. Mount Albert finished runner up just 1 point behind. Mount Albert won the knockout competition when they defeated Devonport on September 28. Mangere had entered a team in the competition but withdrew after defaulting their first two games. The amalgamated New Lynn and Glen Eden club (Glen Lynn) entered a team in the knockout competition, drawing with Newton 6-6, before losing to Ponsonby 18-0. [55] The knockout competition was won by Mount Albert United.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Devonport United | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 152 | 41 | 21 |
Mount Albert United | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 141 | 37 | 20 |
Ponsonby United | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 93 | 64 | 15 |
Mount Wellington | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 77 | 90 | 14 |
Remuera | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 38 | 103 | 6 |
Newton Rangers | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 44 | 100 | 4 |
Kingsland Athletic | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 19 | 127 | 2 |
Richmond won the championship after they beat Glen Lynn in the final by 2 points to 0 a Carlaw Park on August 17. Richmond also won the knockout competition with a 18-0 win over Ellerslie in the final on September 21. They had beaten Ponsonby B by default a week earlier while Ellerslie had upset Kingsland 11-5 in the other. Ellerslie had surprisingly made it to the final after only winning two matches during the championship. The majority of the results were reported and the final standings were published in the newspaper which was very unusual in these early decades.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richmond Rovers | 13 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 285 | 17 | 23 |
Ponsonby United B | 13 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 48 | 20 |
Glen Lynn | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 84 | 35 | 18 |
Kingsland Athletic | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 95 | 73 | 17 |
Ponsonby United A | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 44 | 137 | 6 |
Ellerslie United | 13 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 24 | 203 | 6 |
Point Chevalier | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 42 | 183 | 4 |
Devonport United | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 74 | 0 |
The championship was won by Devonport, 3 points ahead of Akarana. The knockout competition was won by Newmarket 7 to 6 on September 28, though the score was also reported as 10-6. Devonport had beaten City by default in one semi final while Newmarket won the other semi final 12-2 against Akarana. Newton entered a team in the competition but they withdrew without playing a game, while Mount Albert withdrew after 10 rounds having only played 7 games.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Devonport United | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 20 | 23 |
Akarana | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 191 | 40 | 20 |
Newmarket | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 112 | 41 | 16 |
City Rovers | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 108 | 42 | 14 |
Richmond Rovers | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 71 | 89 | 10 |
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 13 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 125 | 6 |
Glen Lynn | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 26 | 133 | 4 |
Mount Albert United | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 170 | 1 |
Devonport won the championship undefeated with 16 wins from 16 games, scoring 356 points and only conceding 32. Richmond were runners up 9 further points back. Devonport reportedly won the knockout competition when they beat Richmond 12-5 in the final on October 19. Devonport had won their semi final 6-0 over Akarana, while Richmond beat Kingsland 7-6 in the other semi final. However the Sun newspaper reported that Akarana won the knockout competition on March 29, 1930. Mt Wellington withdrew from the championship after 9 rounds while Remuera withdrew also after playing 9 games but in the 12 rounds having defaulted for 3 weeks. [56]
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Devonport United | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 356 | 32 | 32 |
Richmond Rovers | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 168 | 28 | 23 |
Kingsland Athletic | 15 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 150 | 44 | 19 |
Akarana | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 200 | 52 | 18 |
City Rovers | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 118 | 114 | 18 |
Remuera United | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 69 | 19 | 9 |
Ponsonby United | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 55 | 130 | 9 |
Mount Albert United | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 42 | 237 | 7 |
Otahuhu Rovers | 16 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 28 | 399 | 2 |
Mount Wellington | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 25 | 147 | 1 |
Richmond won the championship and also the knockout competition. They defeated Marist 14-9 in the knockout final on 21 September following a semi final win over Point Chevalier by 14 points to 4 while Marist had beaten Kingsland in the other semi final. Otahuhu had initially entered a side but failed to take the field and withdrew after round 1. A table was published in the newspapers after 7 rounds however many of the results in the second half of the season were not reported so the final standings are incomplete.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richmond Rovers | 16 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 233 | 19 | 28 |
Newmarket | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 147 | 64 | 19 |
Point Chevalier | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 83 | 65 | 18 |
Marist Old Boys | 15 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 112 | 59 | 16 |
Akarana | 15 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 88 | 7 |
Devonport United | 15 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 44 | 73 | 5 |
Kingsland Athletic | 14 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 54 | 111 | 4 |
City Rovers | 15 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 237 | 1 |
Richmond won the championship ahead of Otahuhu and Marist. Otahuhu won the knockout competition when they beat Richmond 11-6 in the final on October 12. Otahuhu had beaten City in one semi final while Richmond beat Kingsland 11-0 in the other semi final. The standings were reported after 8 rounds but the final standings were not reported and many results were also not reported so the following table is incomplete.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richmond Rovers | 17 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 203 | 29 | 22 |
Otahuhu Rovers | 15 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 147 | 105 | 21 |
Marist Old Boys | 17 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 207 | 95 | 19 |
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 16 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 87 | 82 | 16 |
Kingsland Athletic | 18 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 55 | 124 | 11 |
City Rovers | 17 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 53 | 88 | 10 |
Devonport United | 17 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 71 | 93 | 10 |
Point Chevalier | 16 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 54 | 128 | 8 |
Newmarket | 15 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 141 | 2 |
Richmond B won the championship with a remarkable point scoring record of 657 points scored with the majority of their wins coming at 0 points conceded. They also won the Milicich knockout final when they beat Northcote 16-2 on September 28. They had beaten Newton 5-3 in their semi final, while Northcote defeated Point Chevalier 2-0 in the other semi final. The championship standings were reported after 8 rounds and again at the conclusion of the season. The team featured future New Zealand international Noel Bickerton.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richmond Rovers B | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 657 | 8 | 32 |
Marist Old Boys | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 97 | 61 | 24 |
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 135 | 74 | 23 |
Newton Rangers | 15 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 168 | 50 | 15 |
Richmond Rovers A | 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 45 | 180 | 13 |
Papatoetoe | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 140 | 215 | 11 |
Ellerslie United | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 43 | 245 | 11 |
Glen Lynn | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 96 | 170 | 10 |
Point Chevalier | 16 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 26 | 397 | 1 |
Newmarket won the championship. They also won the knockout competition when they beat Mangere 25-5 in the final on October 12. At the end of the season in early November a seven team knockout tournament was held at Carlaw Park with proceeds going to the purchase of jerseys. Newmarket defeated Mangere in the final by 6 points to 0 to complete a remarkable season for the side. [57]
Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newmarket Primary School | 17 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 272 | 21 | 28 |
Newton Primary School | 17 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 107 | 95 | 19 |
Parnell Primary School | 19 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 99 | 76 | 18 |
Onehunga Convent (St Joseph's School) | 17 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 121 | 78 | 17 |
Richmond Road School | 17 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 89 | 63 | 13 |
Otahuhu Schools | 17 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 70 | 128 | 12 |
Papatoetoe Primary School | 19 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 91 | 170 | 11 |
Mangere Primary School | 17 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 46 | 76 | 10 |
Ellerslie Primary School | 17 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 44 | 79 | 9 |
Devonport Primary School | 18 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 75 | 7 |
Mt Albert Primary School | 18 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 37 | 147 | 3 |
The Auckland Junior representative side that played South Auckland included future Kiwi Albert Laing, and Auckland representative cricket wicket keeper Horace Hunt. The full side was as follows: Albert Laing (Devonport), B. Munroe (Mount Albert), G Jacobs (Mount Wellington), H. Tate (Devonport), T Davis (Richmond), C. Dunn (Richmond), F. Martin (Kingsland), H. White (Ponsonby), D. Kirwan (Mount Albert), Horace Hunt (Devonport), H. Lunn (Ponsonby), H. Forbes (Kingsland), J. Hawkes (Devonport). Reserves: J. Ragg (Newton), C. Jamieson, K. Sheddon (Remuera), F. Joy (Newton), F. Hemmingson (Grey Lynn). [58]
Date | Score | Score | Venue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibition | 30 Mar [59] | Kamo and Athletic Clubs Combined | 9 | Richmond | 23 | Whangarei |
Junior Inter-Provincial | 27 July [60] | Auckland Juniors | 15 | South Auckland Juniors | 8 | Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm |
Exhibition | 10 Aug [34] | Huntly | 23 | City | 13 | Huntly |
Exhibition | 17 Aug [61] | Northcote | 18 | Hamilton B | 9 | Northcote Municipal Recreation Ground (Stafford Park), Northcote |
Exhibition | 17 Aug [62] | Huntly | 16 | Parnell | 21 | Huntly |
Schoolboy Inter-Provincial | 5 Sep [63] | North Auckland Schools | 2 | Auckland Schoolboys | 17 | Whangarei |
Schoolboy Match | 7 Sep | Hikurangi | 4 | Auckland Schoolboys | 6 | Hikurangi |
Schoolboy Exhibition | 14 Sep [64] | Huntly | 20 | Devonport | 8 | Huntly, 3pm |
The selectors for the season were the same as last year, Edwin V. Fox, Ernie Asher, and Bert Avery. The Auckland team played three matches and defended the Northern Union Challenge Cup against South Auckland, Northland, and Canterbury. Auckland played three matches between July 27 and August 24, all for the Northern Union Challenge Cup. They saw them defeat South Auckland in a hard-fought 11–8 result, the newly formed Northland representative team by a narrow 22–19 margin, and Canterbury comfortably by 47 points to 18. The representative season was finished with a match between the North Island and South Island won by the latter 22 to 13. Unlike in previous years the North Island team featured several players from outside of Auckland, mainly from the Waikato region.
W. Shortland had been named to play for Auckland but was left out of the side at the last minute as he was not eligible to play. The reason being that he had only recently switched codes and had not played 3 matches yet for his club. Huatahi Paki (who is pictured) broke his ribs during the match. Lindsay Simons, who was on debut for Auckland at fullback went off injured with Frank Delgrosso moving into that position and Ted Mincham coming on in his Auckland debut. Auckland won the match narrowly by 11 points to 8 before a crowd of 10,000 at Carlaw Park.
27 July | Auckland | 11–8 | South Auckland | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Hec Brisbane 2, Len Scott Con: Frank Delgrosso | [65] | Try: George Tittleton Con: Tom Timms Pen: Tom Timms | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull |
The Northland team was coached by Maurice Wetherill and included Ted Meyer as captain who went on to become a New Zealand representative in 1930. He had previously played rugby union for North Auckland and the North Island. Puti Tipene (Steve) Watene was on debut for Auckland.
17 August | Auckland | 22–19 | Northland | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: R Carter, Frank Delgrosso 2, Claude List, Allan Seagar, Gordon Campbell Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 | [66] | Try: L Grogan, Dick Cunningham, T Bergan, N Dunn 2 Con: L Grogan 2 | Referee: Vic Simpson |
The Canterbury side was coached by former Ponsonby, Auckland, and New Zealand player, Thomas McClymont.
24 August | Auckland | 47–18 | Canterbury | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Claude List, Hec Brisbane, R Carter, Frank Delgrosso, Allan Seagar, N Pascoe, Jim O'Brien, Albert Payne 3, Stanley Francis Con: Frank Delgrosso 4, Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory, Stanley Francis | [67] | Try: E Spillane, Jim Amos, A O'Connor, T Green Con: Jim Sanders, A O'Connor 2 | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Billy Mincham |
Len Scott was injured during the match and replaced by Allan Seagar for the North Island while for the South Island Jim Sanders was injured and replaced by Doogan. In past years the North Island team was dominated by players from the Auckland competition however the North Island team on this occasion featured players from outside Auckland such as Dick Trautvetter, Bob Stephenson, Joe Menzies and Tom Timms from the Waikato (South Auckland) side, and Ted Meyer and T Bergan from Northland.
7 September | North Island | 13–22 | South Island | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Bill Hamilton, Ted Meyer, Frank Delgrosso Con: Charles Gregory, Frank Delgrosso | [68] | Try: Alf Townsend, Johnny Dodds, Norm Griffiths, Mick O'Brien Con: Bond 2 Pen: Bond 3 | Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
No | Name | Club Team | Played | Tries | Con | Pen | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Frank Delgrosso | Ponsonby | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
2 | Hec Brisbane | Marist | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
2 | Albert Payne | Ponsonby | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
4 | Claude List | Kingsland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
5 | Allan Seagar | Devonport | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
6 | Robert (Bob) Carter | Kingsland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
7 | Stanley Francis | Newton | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
8 | Jim O'Brien | Marist | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
9 | Len Scott | Devonport | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
10 | Gordon Campbell | Marist | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
11 | Charles Gregory | Marist | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
12 | Lindsay Simons | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | A McIntyre | Ponsonby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Alf Scott | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Bill Skelton | Ponsonby | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Ernest Ruby | Devonport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Dick Moisley | Marist | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Norman Pascoe | City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Bill Hamilton | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Puti Tipene Watene | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Willie Shortland | City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Ralph Jenkinson | Richmond | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Ted Mincham | Richmond | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Victor Fagan | Ponsonby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|} |}
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.
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 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. While City won the Roope Rooster competition for the 4th time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1935 Auckland Rugby League season was its 27th. The senior championship was again won by the Richmond Rovers who had won their first ever Fox Memorial title the previous season. They were level with Mount Albert after 12 matches and the two teams played off for the championship with Richmond winning 14–9. Despite their loss this was a significant achievement by Mount Albert who were in their first ever season in the senior first grade.
Gordon Campbell was a rugby league player who represented New Zealand in 2 tests in 1932 against England. Campbell played in the position of hooker. In the process he became the 223rd player to represent New Zealand.
Norm Campbell was a rugby league player who represented New Zealand in one test match against England in 1932 at fullback. In the process he became the 224th player to represent New Zealand. He also played rugby league for Auckland, Marist Old Boys, Otahuhu Rovers, and Papakura as well as the Otahuhu RFC Rugby Football Club.
The 1944 Auckland Rugby League season was its 36th. The Auckland Rugby League allowed the Point Chevalier club to enter the first grade competition which meant that it was an even ten teams. There was no reserve grade competition as the war affected adult playing numbers once more. Several former senior players were killed along with others who had played or been involved in Auckland rugby league.
Claude List, born Victor Claude Wilschefski, was a rugby league player who represented New Zealand in the 1920s and 1930s. He represented New Zealand in one test match against England in 1928 and three more tests against England in 1932. In the process he became the 190th player to represent New Zealand. He also represented Auckland 24 times from 1925 to 1933, and the North Island side three times from 1927 to 1932. He played his club rugby league in Auckland for the Kingsland Rovers/Athletics club from 1925 to 1930, Marist Old Boys from 1931 to 1934, and then Mount Albert United from 1934 to 1941.