City Newton Dragons

Last updated

City Newton Dragons
Club information
Full nameCity Newton Dragons Rugby League Football Club
ColoursRed, White, and Black
Founded1948;77 years ago (1948)
Exited2004;21 years ago (2004)
Former details
Ground(s)
Competition Auckland Rugby League
Records
Minor premierships 1957
Sharman Cup1966, 1969, 1984
Norton Cup1974
Lawson Cup1984

The City Newton Dragons are a defunct New Zealand rugby league club that was based at Victoria Park, Auckland. [1] The club was created in 1948 by a merger of two original clubs, the City Rovers and Newton Rangers. Both the Rovers and the Rangers participated in the inaugural Auckland Rugby League competition in 1910. In 2004, the club was absorbed by the Ponsonby Ponies, who play a match in the City Newton colours annually to keep the heritage of the club alive.

Contents

History

City Rovers

City Rovers
Club information
ColoursRed and Black
Founded 1909
Exited1948
Former details
Ground(s)
  • Victoria Park
  • Carlaw Park
  • Auckland Domain
Competition Auckland Rugby League
Records
Premierships 1910, 1911, 1916, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1944
Roope Rooster 1916, 1921
Thacker Shield 1921
Rukutai Shield 1944
Stormont Shield 1944
Phelan Shield 1939
City v Athletic in the championship final of 1923 at Carlaw Park. City Rovers v Athletic rugby league, August 25, 1923.jpg
City v Athletic in the championship final of 1923 at Carlaw Park.
City Rovers v Maritime in the first ever game at Carlaw Park on June 25, 1921. City won 10-8 against Maritime Football Club. Opening game at Carlaw Park in 1921.png
City Rovers v Maritime in the first ever game at Carlaw Park on June 25, 1921. City won 10-8 against Maritime Football Club.

The City Rovers were formed in the days following the formation of the Auckland Rugby League on 19 July 1909. In their first year City played against the Ponsonby Ponies, City included Ernie and Albert Asher, Jim Rukutai and Alex Stanaway. [2]

City won the Auckland Rugby League's first competition, being awarded the Myers Cup in 1910. [3] The Cup had been donated by Arthur Myers. [2]

City again won premierships in 1911, 1916, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1944. In 1921 they completed a unique treble by also winning the Roope Rooster and Thacker Shield in the same year.

Newton Rangers

Newton Rangers
Club information
ColoursRed and White
Founded 1909
Exited1948
Former details
Competition Auckland Rugby League
Records
Premierships 1912, 1927
Roope Rooster 1919, 1920, 1935
Stormont Shield 1927
Phelan Shield 1934

The Newtown Rangers were formed in the days following the formation of the Auckland Rugby League on 19 July 1909. They lost to Ponsonby United 6–16 on 21 August at Victoria Park. [2]

The club won premierships in 1912 and 1927 and they won the Roope Rooster in 1919, 1920 and 1935. In 1927 they won the Stormont Shield defeating Richmond 25-17 in the final. [4]

1948-2004

The City Rovers and Newton Rangers clubs amalgamated to form City Newton in 1948. [5]

During the 1960s the Auckland Rugby League instituted a districts programme and Ellerslie, City Newton and Eastern Suburbs combined to form Eastern Districts. The combination won almost every trophy between 1960 and 1963 before the clubs regained their separate identities.

In 2001 City Newton competed in the Auckland Rugby League's second division, the Sharman Cup. [6]

The City Newton Sports Club Incorporated was struck off as an Incorporated Society on 17 June 2004. [7]

In 2014, the popular Auckland hip-hop trio Team Dynamite referenced the City Newton Dragons in the song, Very On.

Notable players

The following players played for the New Zealand national rugby league team while with the club; [5]

City Rovers Kiwis

Players who played for New Zealand while playing for City Rovers. In brackets is the year that they first appeared for New Zealand while also playing for Newton.

City Rovers other notable players

Newton Rangers Kiwis

Lou Brown prior to departing for England, with Wilson Hall and Len Mason of the Maritime club. Len Mason, Lou Brown, F Brown and Wilson Hall.png
Lou Brown prior to departing for England, with Wilson Hall and Len Mason of the Maritime club.

Players who played for New Zealand while playing for Newton Rangers. In brackets is the year that they first appeared for New Zealand while also playing for Newton. Lou Brown (pictured) played for Newton in 1922-23 before transferring to City and then being selected for New Zealand in 1925.

City Newton Kiwis

Club Titles

City Rovers grade championships (1910-1944)

  • 1910 1st Grade (Myers Cup)
  • 1911 1st Grade (Myers Cup)
  • 1914 4th Grade
  • 1915 2nd Grade and 5th Grade
  • 1916 1st Grade (Myers Cup), 3rd Grade, 4th Grade and 6th Grade
  • 1917 3rd Grade and 4th Grade
  • 1918 6th Grade
  • 1919 4th Grade and 5th Grade
  • 1920 2nd Grade and 4th Grade
  • 1921 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 5th Grade
  • 1922 1st Grade (Monteith Shield), 2nd Grade and 6th Grade
  • 1923 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 2nd Grade
  • 1924 3rd Grade
  • 1925 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 3rd Grade
  • 1926 6th Grade
  • 1934 5th Grade
  • 1936 4th Grade
  • 1937 6th Grade
  • 1938 4th Grade
  • 1939 4th Grade
  • 1940 4th Grade
  • 1941 4th Grade
  • 1944 1st Grade (Fox Memorial Shield)

Other titles

  • 1916 Roope Rooster
  • 1918 Roope Rooster
  • 1921 Roope Rooster
  • 1924 Roope Rooster
  • 1939 Phelan Shield
  • 1942 Rukutai Shield (combined City-Otahuhu side)
  • 1944 Rukutai Shield
  • 1944 Stormont Shield

Newton Rangers grade championships (1910-1942)

  • 1912 First Grade (Myers Cup)
  • 1921 Second Grade
  • 1927 First Grade (Monteith Shield)
  • 1932 Fifth Grade
  • 1934 Fourth Grade
  • 1937 Schoolboys (Junior)
  • 1939 Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1940 Schoolboys (Intermediate)

Other titles

  • 1919 Roope Rooster
  • 1920 Roope Rooster
  • 1927 Stormont Shield
  • 1928 Second grade knockout
  • 1934 Phelan Shield
  • 1935 Roope Rooster

Top point scorers (City Rovers and Newton Rangers) 1909-44

City Rovers top point scorers (1909-1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from all official organised matches including championship, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield, Stormont Shield, tour matches, exhibition matches, and charity games.

Top point scorers
NoPlayerStartEndGamesTriesConPenDGMPoints
1 Bill Davidson 1915192389511113281457
2Alan Donovan19401945-29713610303
3 Ben Davidson 191919331478311160285
4 Puti Tipene Watene 192919358314793900278
5 Maurice Wetherill 1918193012738371001212
6 Lou Brown 1924193661681000206
7 Warwick Clarke 19401944-2334010154
8Laurie Barchard19281931612533700153
9 Ernie Asher 19101918673412505151
10 George Davidson 19221925544014100150
11Harry Hawkes1919192680439100149
12A Silva19431945-11282600141
13William McLaughlin19261937127442010138
14George Perry1927193379440110136
15Bill Turei19321935463112510129
16Jackie Rata19361939-11143210127
17Selby Crewther19231926551430610116
18Cyril Wiberg19341938-6221830104
19 Albert Asher 19101917531717810103
20J Hutchinson19371943-1816520100
21George Wade192619283128000084
22 Nelson Bass 1924193049121432074
23J.P. (Chook) Mitchell1916192612723100071
24 Alf Townsend 192119267921300069
25 George Paki 191719256421100065
26 Hawea Mataira 19371944-20000060

Newton Rangers top point scorers (1909-1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from matches played in the first grade championship, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield and Stormont Shield matches which involved all first grade sides. It does not include additional one off type matches such as those against non-Auckland teams or charity matches.

Top point scorers
NoPlayerStartEndGamesTriesConPenDGMPoints
1 Craddock Dufty 19191929565683430225
2 Clarrie Polson 19201926712032901144
3 Claude Dempsey 19301940-3382610139
4 Ted Brimble 19301940148394200129
5 Wilfred Brimble 19351939-9301800123
6 Roy Hardgrave 1924192953384000122
7 George Iles 1916191943347000116
8= Alan Clarke 1922192877298600115
8=Hugh Brady19331944-25101000115
10 Wally Somers 19171929128355000115
11Bert Little1926192953341000104
12Harry Miller Emus19401942-14161400102
13Arnold Porteous19311934581519900101
14Mortimer Stephens19331940-33000099
15Arthur Mansill1918192941102590098
16Frederick Sissons19361938-524170097
17 Joe Bennett 1910191656191090095
18R Clark1913191732191170093
19 Trevor Hall 192719348027000081
20Cyril Brimble1929193029121280076
21Len Farrant1909191866121351074
22S Anderson19391940-216160070
23Hill19291938-91470069
24Roy Niwa19411945-315140067
25Jack Keenan191719242820200064

City Rovers Head to Head records (1909-1920)

Head to head records by opponent
OpponentStartFinishGamesWinsDrawsLossesForAgainst
North Shore Albions 19091920221138275202
Newton Rangers 19101920261916393221
Ponsonby United 191019203017211357288
Eden Ramblers 1911191342024941
Manukau 1912191332011510
Otahuhu 1914191776016921
Grafton Athletic 19141920161303282129
Maritime 1918192084047983
Marist Old Boys 1919192031021029
Lower Waikato191619161100198
Waterside Workers191719171100137
Railway191719171100186
Maritime XIII1919191910031319

References

  1. Clubs/Teams for Rugby League Archived 7 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine nzsport.co.nz
  2. 1 2 3 Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN   978-1-86969-366-4.
  3. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 New Zealand Rugby League, 1990. p.72
  4. "Four Members of One Team/Newton League Players". New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19757. 3 October 1927. p. 8. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  5. 1 2 City Newton made up of City Rovers and Newton Rangers aucklandleague.co.nz
  6. ARL results for Saturday 19 May Archived 2013-02-01 at archive.today rleague.com, 19 May 2001
  7. City Newton Sports Club Incorporated, number 230206 business.govt.nz