1929 Auckland Rugby League season explained

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.

Season news and summary

Club teams by grade participation

width=230 Teamwidth=50 abbr="1st Grade" 1stwidth=50 abbr="B Grade" B Div.width=50 abbr="2nd Grade" 2ndwidth=50 abbr="3rd Grade" 3rd Openwidth=50 abbr="3rd Grade" 3rd Int.width=50 abbr="4th Grade" 4thwidth=50 abbr="5th Grade" 5thwidth=50 abbr="6th Grade" 6th Awidth=50 abbr="6th Grade" 6th Bwidth=50 abbr="Schoolboys" Schoolswidth=50 abbr="Total" Total
Richmond Rovers110111112110
Devonport United10111111018
Kingsland Athletic10110111006
Ponsonby United10120100005
City Rovers10001111005
Point Chevalier01010011105
Marist Old Boys10000011104
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers01001001104
Newton Rangers10100000114
Ellerslie United10010000114
Otahuhu Rovers01000101014
Mount Albert United00101100014
Newmarket00001011014
Glen Lynn00011000103
Akarana00001110003
Remuera00100100002
Mount Wellington00100100002
Māngere United01000000012
Parnell01000000012
Papatoetoe00000000112
Onehunga Convent (St Joseph's School)00000000011
Total86788108991184

Auckland Rugby League management

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]

New clubs and mergers

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.

Rule changes

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]

Player losses

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]

Improvements to Carlaw Park

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 tour

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.

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

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.

Monteith Shield standings

width=175 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Ponsonby United15121227611625
Devonport United15111323611323
City Rovers1490517115318
Marist Old Boys1473420615717
Newton Rangers1470714422314
Kingsland Athletic1451814320911
Richmond Rovers1430111051616
Ellerslie United140014862350

Monteith Shield fixtures

Pre-season fixture

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.

Round 1

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.

Round 5

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.

Round 6

Alan Clarke was sent off in the Marist v City game for questioning the referee.

Round 7

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.[11] [12] 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.

Round 12

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”.[13] 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.

Round 13

R.D. Revell transferred from Ponsonby to Kingsland during the week.

Round 14

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.[14] 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.

Postponed round 6 match

The Round 6 match which was postponed saw Richmond default to Kingsland.

Final

Roope Rooster knockout competition

Marist won the Roope Rooster for the second consecutive year after defeating Ponsonby 17–9 in the final.

Round 1

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.

Final

Stormont Memorial Shield

Frank Delgrosso went off in the second half with an injured knee.

Top try scorers and point scorers

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.

RankPlayerTeamTries
1Phil BradyMarist13
2A SchofieldPonsonby12
3A.S. McIntyrePonsonby11
4Len ScottDevonport10
5L WintersPonsonby9
5Roy HardgraveNewton9
5J BeattieDevonport9
5George PerryCity9
9Robert (Bob) CarterKingsland8
9McDonaldMarist8
RankPlayerTeamTriesConPenPoints
1Frank DelgrossoPonsonby43612108
2Charles GregoryMarist421462
3Lawrence BarchardCity714253
4Ted MinchamRichmond56945
5Phil BradyMarist130039
6A SchofieldPonsonby120036
6Allan SeagarDevonport410236
8Roy HardgraveNewton94035
9A.S. McIntyrePonsonby110033
10Lindsay SimonsDevonport011532

B grade standings and results

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Point Chevalier119111086119
Otahuhu Rovers118122234417
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers9504667710
Richmond Rovers B940589878
Parnell102081121454
Māngere United10109502320

Senior B grade fixtures

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.

1929 Senior B Grade Results
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 128 April[15] Point Chevalier 11 Parnell 10 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm
28 April Mangere 0 Otahuhu 48 Mangere Domain, 3pm
Round 24 May[16] 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 311 May[17] Northcote 11 Parnell 2 Victoria Park, 3pm
11 May Point Chevalier 5 Otahuhu 5 Point Chevalier # 2, 3pm
11 May Mangere 0 Richmond B32 Mangere, 3pm
Round 418 May[18] 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 525 May[19] 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 61 JuneRichmond B19 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 78 June[20] 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 815 June[21] Otahuhu 10 Point Chevalier 6 Papatoetoe Recreation Ground, Papatoetoe 3pm1,000
15 June Richmond B8 Mangere 13 Grey Lynn, 3pm
15 June Northcote 16 Parnell 10 Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 922 June[22] 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 1029 June[23] Point Chevalier 8 Richmond B0 Point Chevalier, 3pm
29 June Northcote 11 Mangere 6 Northcote, 3pm
29 June Otahuhu 32 Parnell 5 Papatoetoe, 3pm
Final6 July[24] Point Chevalier 13 Otahuhu 10 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm

Senior A/Senior B promotion-relegation match

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.

Stallard Cup competition

1929 Stallard Cup results
DateScoreScoreVenue
Round 113 July[25] Northcote5 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 220 July[26] Northcote9 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 33 AugNorthcote6 Richmond B0 Outer Domain, 3pm
3 Aug Point Chevalier 11 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm
3 Aug Otahuhu 12 Mangere 8 Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 410 AugPoint Chevalier13 Mangere0 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm
10 Aug Parnell PPD Richmond PPD Auckland Domain, 3pm
10 Aug Otahuhu 7 Northcote 3 Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 531 Aug[27] Richmond B 11 Otahuhu8 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
Final7 Sep[28] Otahuhu11 Point Chevalier 0 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm

Lower grades and exhibition games

Lower grades

Richmond won the Davis Shield for lower grade points accumulated once again. They would dominate this trophy throughout the 1920s and 30s.

Lower grade competitions

Second Grade

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.[29] The knockout competition was won by Mount Albert United.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Devonport United12101121524121
Mount Albert United12100211413720
Ponsonby United127142936415
Mount Wellington117042779014
Remuera123092381036
Newton Rangers1220102441004
Kingsland Athletic1110102191272

Third grade open (Hayward Shield)

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Richmond Rovers13111112851723
Ponsonby United B13100201904820
Glen Lynn139041843518
Kingsland Athletic138141957317
Ponsonby United A123091441376
Ellerslie United1330100242036
Point Chevalier1220101421834
Devonport United700706740

Third grade intermediate

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Devonport United12111021402023
Akarana13100321914020
Newmarket1380511124116
City Rovers1370611084214
Richmond Rovers115060718910
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers132292151256
Glen Lynn1220102261334
Mount Albert United7016131701

Fourth grade (Hospital Cup)

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.[30]

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Devonport United16160013563232
Richmond Rovers14111201682823
Kingsland Athletic1583301504419
Akarana1582522005218
City Rovers16907111811418
Remuera United11416069199
Ponsonby United1541100551309
Mount Albert United1431102422377
Otahuhu Rovers1602141283992
Mount Wellington90180251471

Fifth grade (Endean Shield)

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Richmond Rovers16140002331928
Newmarket1491421476419
Point Chevalier148241836518
Marist Old Boys1572211125916
Akarana15317124887
Devonport United15217144735
Kingsland Athletic142090541114
City Rovers1501111202371

Sixth grade A (Walker Shield)

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Richmond Rovers17110212032922
Otahuhu Rovers151013214710521
Marist Old Boys1791602079519
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers168061878216
Kingsland Athletic1851825512411
City Rovers174251538810
Devonport United175082719310
Point Chevalier164081541288
Newmarket151012351412

Sixth grade B (Myers Cup)

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.

width=215 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Richmond Rovers B1616002657832
Marist Old Boys1611232976124
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers16103311357423
Newton Rangers1571721685015
Richmond Rovers A1561824518013
Papatoetoe14518214021511
Ellerslie United16511014324511
Glen Lynn1634939617010
Point Chevalier1601153263971

Schoolboys competition

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.[31]

width=260 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Bye" Bwidth=20 abbr="For" Fwidth=20 abbr="Against" Awidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Newmarket Primary School17140122722128
Newton Primary School1791511079519
Parnell Primary School198251997618
Onehunga Convent (St Joseph's School)1773521217817
Richmond Road School176142896313
Otahuhu Schools1760827012812
Papatoetoe Primary School1943919117011
Mangere Primary School174262467610
Ellerslie Primary School17418244799
Devonport Primary School18234132757
Mt Albert Primary School1811102371473

Exhibition and junior representative matches

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).[32]

List of matches
DateScoreScoreVenue
Exhibition30 Mar [33] Kamo and Athletic Clubs Combined9 Richmond 23 Whangarei
Junior Inter-Provincial27 July [34] Auckland Juniors 15 South Auckland Juniors 8 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm
Exhibition10 Aug Huntly23 City 13 Huntly
Exhibition17 Aug [35] Northcote18 Hamilton B 9 Northcote Municipal Recreation Ground (Stafford Park), Northcote
Exhibition17 Aug [36] Huntly16 Parnell 21 Huntly
Schoolboy Inter-Provincial5 Sep [37] North Auckland Schools2 Auckland Schoolboys 17 Whangarei
Schoolboy Match7 Sep Hikurangi 4 Auckland Schoolboys 6 Hikurangi
Schoolboy Exhibition14 Sep [38] Huntly 20 Devonport 8 Huntly, 3pm

Representative season

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.

Representative fixtures

Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union Cup)

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.

Auckland v Northland (Northern Union Cup)

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.

Auckland v Canterbury (Northern Union Cup)

The Canterbury side was coached by former Ponsonby, Auckland, and New Zealand player, Thomas McClymont.

Inter island match

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.

Auckland representative matches played and points scored

NoNameClub TeamPlayedTriesConPenPoints
1Frank DelgrossoPonsonby337023
2Hec BrisbaneMarist23009
2Albert PaynePonsonby13009
4Claude ListKingsland32006
5Allan SeagarDevonport32006
6Robert (Bob) CarterKingsland22006
7Stanley FrancisNewton21105
8Jim O'BrienMarist11105
9Len ScottDevonport11003
10Gordon CampbellMarist11003
11Charles GregoryMarist20102
12Lindsay SimonsDevonport10000
12A McIntyrePonsonby10000
12Alf ScottDevonport10000
12Bill SkeltonPonsonby20000
12Ernest RubyDevonport20000
12Dick MoisleyMarist30000
12Norman PascoeCity20000
12Bill HamiltonCity10000
12Puti Tipene WateneCity10000
12Willie ShortlandCity20000
12Ralph JenkinsonRichmond10000
12Ted MinchamRichmond10000
12Victor FaganPonsonby10000

Annual general meetings and club news

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External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Position in Auckland/Large Sum to Injured Men. 18. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20211. 1929-03-22. 2019-10-05.
  2. News: History of the Code/Increase in Popularity/Progress Since Inception. 17. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20237. 1929-04-23. 2019-10-05.
  3. News: Management Committee. 15. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20262. 1929-05-23. 2019-10-10.
  4. News: Papatoetoe Club Formed. 12. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20221. 1929-04-04. 2019-10-05.
  5. News: Amalgamation of Clubs. 14. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20225. 1929-04-09. 2019-10-05.
  6. News: The Senior Competition/New Club Admitted/Draw for Opening Round. 16. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20233. 1929-04-18. 2019-10-05.
  7. News: The Five Yards Limit. 16. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20261. 1929-05-22. 2019-10-07.
  8. News: Loss of Footballer/League Code Player/Hanlon for England. 10. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20325. 1929-08-05. 2019-10-08.
  9. News: Extension of Facilities/Provision for Players/First Representative Fixture. 18. Auckland Star. LX. 168. 1929-07-18. 2019-10-08.
  10. News: More Stand Accommodation. 18. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20382. 1929-10-10. 2019-10-09.
  11. News: Marists Unlucky/Weakened Shore’s Close Call/Ponies Swamp City. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 135. 1929-06-10. 2020-06-10.
  12. News: Two League Players/Leading Men Stand Down/C. Dufty and W Somers. 10. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20277. 1929-06-10. 2019-06-10.
  13. News: League’s Converts/Shortland and P. Skelton/City Club in Luck. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 165. 1929-07-15. 2019-12-09.
  14. News: Loss of Footballer/League Code Player/Hanlon For England. 10. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20325. 1929-08-05. 2020-06-15.
  15. News: The Senior B Grade/Prospect of Fifth Team/Players Who Have "Gone Up"/Among the Lower Grades. 16. Auckland Star. LX. 101. 1929-05-01. 2019-10-06.
  16. News: Lower Grade Form/interest in Senior B Competitions/Appearance of Richmond. 15. Auckland Star. LX. 107. 1929-05-08. 2019-10-06.
  17. News: Form in Lower Grades/Northcote’s Surprise Win. 16. Auckland Star. LX. 113. 1929-05-15. 2019-10-07.
  18. News: Lower Grade Games/Richmond Surprise Mildly. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 119. 1929-05-22. 2019-10-06.
  19. News: Senior B Grade/Point Chevalier Leads. 16. Auckland Star. LX. 125. 1929-05-29. 2019-10-07.
  20. News: Senior B Games/Two Keen Contests/Parnell on the Improve/Comments on the Play. 13. Auckland Star. LX. 138. 1929-06-13. 2019-10-07.
  21. News: Otahuhu Beat Point Chevalier/Parnell Down to Northcote. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 144. 1929-06-20. 2019-10-08.
  22. News: Senior B Games/Northcote’s Good Fight/Leaders Fully Extended. 21. Auckland Star. LX. 150. 1929-06-27. 2019-10-08.
  23. News: Senior B Grade/Review of Saturday’s Games/The Leading Teams. 19. Auckland Star. LX. 156. 1929-07-04. 2019-09-10.
  24. News: Senior B Championship/Point Chevalier’s Success. 16. Auckland Star. LX. 161. 1929-07-10. 2019-10-08.
  25. News: Senior B Grade/Two Close Matches/Otahuhu Beats Point Chevalier. 18. Auckland Star. LX. 168. 1929-07-18. 2019-10-08.
  26. News: Junior Results. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 171. 1929-07-22. 2019-10-08.
  27. News: Stallard Cup/Richmond’s Surprise/Re-Play Necessary. 20. Auckland Star. LX. 210. 1920-09-05. 2019-10-09.
  28. News: Stallard Cup Final. 9. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20355. 1929-09-09. 2019-10-09.
  29. News: Standings. 6. Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 743. 16 August 1929. 26 January 2023.
  30. News: Devonport Club Smoker. 6. Sun (Auckland). III. 793. 1929-10-14. 2019-10-09.
  31. News: Schoolboys’ Tournament/Victory For Newmarket. 16. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20403. 1929-11-04. 2019-10-09.
  32. News: First League Rep. Game. 15. Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 175. 1929-07-26. 2022-04-26.
  33. News: League Football. 10. Auckland Star. LX. 76. 1929-03-01. 2019-10-05.
  34. News: Junior Representatives. 15. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20319. 1929-07-29. 2019-10-08.
  35. News: Results in Lower Grades. 13. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20337. 1929-08-19. 2019-10-09.
  36. News: Stallard Cup/Richmond’s Surprise/Re-Play Necessary. 20. Auckland Star. LX. 210. 1929-09-05. 2019-10-09.
  37. News: Schoolboys on Tour. 14. Auckland Star. LX. 214. 1929-09-10. 2019-10-09.
  38. News: Huntly. 14. Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 770. 1929-09-17. 2022-11-05.
  39. News: League Football. 8. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20200. 1929-03-09. 2019-10-05.
  40. News: Akarana Club’s Meeting. 17. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 1929-03-28. 2019-10-05.
  41. News: League Football. 22. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20217. 1929-03-30. 2019-10-05.
  42. News: Rugby League. 23. Auckland Star. LX. 70. 1929-03-23. 2019-10-05.
  43. News: League Football. 8. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20206. 1929-03-16. 2019-10-05.
  44. News: League Football. 20. Auckland Star. LX. 66. 1929-03-19. 2019-10-05.
  45. News: Fall From A Ladder/Elderly Man Killed/Accident at Gas Works/Father of League Footballer. 10. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20264. 1929-05-25. 2019-10-07.
  46. News: Mt. Albert United Rugby League Football Club. 20. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20195. 1929-03-04. 2019-09-02.
  47. News: New Lynn League Football Club. 24. Auckland Star. LX. 54. 1929-03-05. 2019-10-05.
  48. News: League Football/Newmarket Rugby League Football Club. 20. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20191. 1929-02-27. 2019-10-05.
  49. News: Northcote Ramblers League Football Club. 22. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20205. 1929-03-15. 2019-10-05.
  50. News: Otahuhu Rugby League Football Club. 20. The New Zealand Herald. LXVI. 20194. 1929-03-02. 2019-09-02.
  51. News: Otahuhu Reunion. 17. Auckland Star. LX. 238. 1929-10-08. 2019-10-09.
  52. News: Good Sportsmanship/Presentation to Prentice. 20. Auckland Star. LX. 192. 1929-08-15. 2019-10-09.