1927 Auckland Rugby League season

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

Ellerslie won the Norton Cup by winning the second division competition, known as the B Grade at this time. They were undefeated and also won the Stallard Cup which was the B Grade knockout trophy. Interestingly the league played a 'promotion-relegation' match, with Ellerslie by virtue of winning the Norton Cup for winning the B Grade playing off with Grafton, who had finished last in the A Grade. Ellerslie won 11–3 over Grafton thus winning the right to compete in the A grade competition in the 1928 season. Despite this there was still considerable discussion at the annual general meeting the following year as to whether or not Ellerslie be admitted to the A Grade. It was eventually decided that they would be, with Grafton dropping to the B Grade.

Other trophies awarded (at the 1928 annual general meeting of the Auckland Rugby League) were the Davis Points Shield to Richmond, the Thistle Cup to Newton, and a special cup for the best forward to W.Clark from Newton.

Auckland rugby league news

Transfers

A McIntyre who had been playing in Sydney joined the Newton club.

Annual meetings of Auckland Rugby League

The annual report for the 1927 season stated that the total revenue for Auckland Rugby League was £5,597, with £4,216 taken at the gates. At the annual meeting of the Junior Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League on 23 March it was stated in their report that junior players exceeded 1,500. It was also reported that the Remuera League Club was being revived. They had fielded two junior teams in 1914, and appeared to have the numbers to enter two junior teams in the 1927 season.

On 10 August the Auckland Rugby League Chairman, Mr. W.J. Hammill tendered his resignation for business reasons. He had occupied the position for five years. He was congratulated on his contribution to the game and made a life member of the League. Mr. George Rhodes was elected as the new chairman of the Management Committee.

Representative season

Auckland began the season with a match against the returning members of the New Zealand team that had toured England from August 1926 to January 1927. There was some controversy in that Joe Menzies had played for the 'New Zealand team' despite being from the South Auckland (Waikato) province and the New Zealand Rugby League questioned the Auckland Rugby League on the selection. One possible reason for his selection may have been the fact that Arthur Singe had been banned for life after going on strike during the tour along with 6 other players. This meant that there was one less Auckland forward to pick for the match. Auckland won the game 24–21. They went on a southern tour later in the season and played matches against Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, and Wellington. After their return to Auckland they played against Buller and South Auckland. The Buller side was coached by Bill Davidson who had spent many years playing for City Rovers, Auckland, and played for New Zealand from 1919 to 1921. He had later moved to the Canterbury region where he was involved in sporting administration. He later returned to Auckland and coached Ponsonby in the 1938 season. Auckland lost the Northern Union Challenge Cup to South Auckland in their final game of the season.

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

Monteith Shield standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts Newton Rangers 13 10 1 2 188 128 21 Ponsonby United 13 9 1 3 190 111 19 Devonport United 12 7 0 5 207 114 14 Marist Old Boys 11 7 0 4 155 114 14 Richmond Rovers 12 4 1 7 137 140 9 City Rovers 11 3 1 7 134 182 7 Grafton Athletic 12 0 0 12 81 303 0 Monteith Shield results After two completed rounds Newton and Ponsonby were both tied on 19 competition points. This necessitated a final between the two sides and this was won by Newton 6–3. Round 1 Jim O'Brien and J Stormont (ex-Marist players) had both retired from the game and were spectators at the match between Marist and Grafton. However, after watching they decided to come out of retirement and resume playing for their old team. Meanwhile Craddock Dufty returned to play for Newton after 5 years with Grafton Athletic. Les Bull refereed his 50th match involving senior rugby league teams in Auckland and was the third man to do this after Archie Ferguson (1912-22) and Billy Murray (1913-25). 7 May City 23–19 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: George Wade, Lou Brown 2, Ben Davidson, George Perry Con: Nelson Bass 3 Pen: Nelson Bass Try: Allan Seagar, Len Scott, J Beattie 2, Jim O'Brien Con: Allan Seagar 2 Attendance: 9000 Referee: William Mincham 7 May Marist 20–8 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hansen, Jock Johnson, Noble, Hec Brisbane 2, Sweeney Con: Hansen Try: F Austin, H Hudson Con: Ralph Longville Attendance: 9000 Referee: G McCowatt 7 May Newton 13–8 Richmond Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Unknown x 3 Con: Unknown x 2 Try: Unknown x 2 Con: Unknown x 1 Referee: Les Bull Round 2 Prior to round 2 Wigan made an offer to Lou Brown of the City side, while Ben Davidson had reportedly received one from Hull. Future New Zealand coach Bill Telford debuted for Richmond and scored a try in their 15-15 draw with City. In the same match brothers Ken and Ray Hyland clashed heads diving to save a try with the result that Ken had to leave the field and Ray had to bandage his bleeding head to continue. 14 May Marist 12–8 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane 3, Jim O'Brien Try: Stan Webb, Len Scott Con: Neville St George Attendance: 2000 Referee: H Taylor 14 May City 15–15 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Bill Hamilton, George Wade, Maurice Wetherill Con: Nelson Bass Pen: Nelson Bass Try: Gordon Campbell, Frederick Bass, Bill Telford Con: Edmund Carroll 3 Attendance: 2000 Referee: Les Bull 14 May Ponsonby 5–5 Newton Grey Lynn Park   3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso Con: Frank Delgrosso Try: A McIntrye Con: Craddock Dufty Referee: William Mincham Round 3 Ponsonby v City showing Tim Peckham and Billy Ghent. Jim O'Brien and Stewart were both sent off for fighting near the Richmond try line in the Marist v Richmond match. Grafton only had 12 players make the trip to Devonport Domain where they were thrashed by Devonport 47–3. Nelson Bass tore his knee cartilage in the match between City and Ponsonby and was forced into early retirement. Arthur Rae made his first grade refereeing debut in the match between Devonport and Grafton on the Devonport Domain. 21 May Ponsonby 17–14 City Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: H Riley 2, Bert Payne Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Ben Davidson 2, Billy Ghent, George Wade Con: Ben Davidson Attendance: 10,000 Referee: A Sanders 21 May Richmond 15–3 Marist Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Stewart, Jim Parkes, Ralph Jenkinson Con: Edmund Carroll 2 Pen: Edmund Carroll Try: Sweeney Attendance: 10,000 Referee: B Emirali 21 May Devonport 47–3 Grafton Devonport Domain   2:45 Try: Len Scott 4, Stanley Rule 2, J Beattie 2, Allan Seagar, Horace Dixon 2 Con: Hemingway 2, Ernest Ruby, Laing, E Cleaver Pen: Neville St George Try: Angelo Referee: Arthur Rae Round 4 Ponsonby v Marist. 28 May Ponsonby 18–10 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Ward, Lou Hutt, Joseph Peckham, Victor Fagan Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso Drop: Eric Grey Try: Hec Brisbane, Jock Johnson Con: Norman King 2 Attendance: 8000 Referee: Les Bull 28 May Newton 32–17 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Alan Clarke, M Little 2, G Morman 2, Craddock Dufty 2, McLeod Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty Try: Lou Brown 2, Ben Davidson, Penalty Try, Frank Ferrall Con: Ben Davidson Attendance: 8000 Referee: Arthur Rae 28 May Richmond 10–2 Grafton Grey Lynn Park   3:00 Try: Stan Prentice, Stewart Con: L Taylor Pen: Edmund Carroll Pen: Longville Referee: H Taylor Round 5 The Devonport v Richmond match was played on the Friday as part of the King's Birthday celebrations. It was notable for the fact that 4 players were ordered off. Neville St George who had had words with the referee was sent from the field, two minutes later Stewart from Richmond joined him and Stan Prentice (Richmond), and Jim O'Brien (Devonport) soon followed. Leslie Knott scored two tries for Marist. At the end of the season he became the Auckland singles tennis champion and New Zealand doubles champion before moving to Australia to advance his career. 3 June Devonport 17–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Hemingway, Horace Dixon, J Beattie, Jim O'Brien, Ernest Ruby Pen: Neville St George Try: Ralph Jenkinson, J Swift, Gordon Campbell Con: Edmund Carroll Pen: Edmund Carroll Attendance: 3000 Referee: Bert Emirali 4 June Ponsonby 36–14 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Joseph Peckham, George Gardiner, Frank Delgrosso 2, Sydney Usher 3, Wilfred McNeil Con: George Gardiner 4, Tim Peckham, H Riley Try: Ernie Herring 2 Con: Lucas Pen: Lucas 3 Attendance: 6000 Referee: H McKubrey 4 June Marist 12–7 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Norman King, Leslie Knott 2, Hec Brisbane Try: Roy Hardgrave Pen: Craddock Dufty 2 Attendance: 6000 Referee: Arthur Rae Round 6 City were without the services of Lou Brown, Maurice Wetherill, G Brown, Nelson Bass and Alf Townsend and were soundly beaten by Marist. Frank Delgrosso of Ponsonby was ordered off in their match with Devonport. 11 June Devonport 9–6 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Allan Seagar, Neville St George, Len Scott Try: Tim Peckham, Sydney Usher Attendance: 7000 Referee: William Mincham 11 June Marist 33–8 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Jim O'Brien, Leslie Knott 2, Dick Moisley, Sweeney, Jack Keenan, Norman King, Hec Brisbane, Bob Crewther Con: Jim O'Brien, Leslie Knott Pen: Jim O'Brien Try: Bill Hamilton, J Lewis Con: Ben Davidson Attendance: 7000 Referee: Vic Simpson 11 June Newton 19–14 Grafton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Trevor Hall, M Little 2, G Morman, Hales Con: M Herewini 2 Try: Angelo, Courtenay 2, Bert Avery Con: Ralph Longville Referee: Taylor Round 7 City had lost the services of Lou Brown and Ben Davidson who had both been signed by Wigan during the week. They would depart for England later in the month. In their match with Devonport two players for Newton left the field injured during the second half leaving them with 11 players. 18 June Ponsonby 15–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Victor Fagan, Lou Hutt, Eric Grey Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Ralph Jenkinson, K Hyland, Stewart Con: L Taylor Drop: Jenkinson Attendance: 5000 Referee: H Taylor 18 June City 22–11 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: George Wade 2, E Hadley, George Perry, Billy Ghent, Frank Ferrall Con: Joe Hadley, Billy Ghent Try: Bert Avery 2, Allan Con: Lucas Attendance: 5000 Referee: Les Bull 18 June Devonport 32–8 Newton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Allan Seagar 2, Alf Scott, Neville St George, E Cleaver, Horace Dixon, J Beattie, Len Scott Con: Alf Scott 3, Julius Laing Try: Trevor Hall, Leslie Katterns Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 1000 Referee: William Mincham Round 8 City were further weakened after Alf Townsend was transferred to Dunedin permanently for work during the week. In the Marist match with Grafton, N King broke a bone in his hand and had to leave the field. 25 June Newton 19–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: M Little, Henry, Roy Hardgrave, Craddock Dufty, G Morman Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Try: L Taylor 2, Jim Parkes Con: L Taylor Attendance: 7000 Referee: Les Bull 25 June Devonport 10–3 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Len Scott, Horace Dixon Pen: Bert Laing, Neville St George Try: George Wade Attendance: 7000 Referee: Percy Rogers 25 June Marist 34–9 Grafton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Norman King, Leslie Knott 2, Jim O'Brien, Hec Brisbane, Sweeney 2, Jack Keenan Con: Charles Gregory 5 Try: Bert Avery Con: Ralph Longville Pen: Lucas, Ralph Longville Referee: H Neal Round 9 City sought to strengthen their side due to the large number of players who had departed. They signed Godkin, a Bay of Plenty rugby player, Pascoe a Manukau rugby player, and E Spencer a league representative from the Waimairi club in Canterbury. H Mason also joined the City side from Huntly (Len Mason's brother). Devonport captain Jim O'Brien was ordered off in their loss to Marist. At the conclusion of the match the referee (H. Taylor) was escorted from the field by two police officers as several spectators crowded and heckled him. Opponents Jack Kirwan and his namesake Jim O'Brien (Marist) had tried to plead his case to the referee to allow him to stay on the field and the Devonport later wrote a letter to the Marist club thanking them. Taylor had replaced W. Ripley as referee after Ripley fell ill before the match. The match between Newton and Ponsonby at the Auckland Domain was postponed due to the ground being unfit for play. He was suspended for their following match. The following weekend saw all games suspended and the postponed match played at Carlaw Park. Ironically rain fell throughout the match and the field "was badly churned up as the game progressed". 2 July Marist 16–6 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Jock Graham 3, Jock Johnson Con: Charles Gregory 2 Try: J Beattie, Harry Douglas Attendance: 11,000 Referee: H Taylor 2 July Richmond 16–11 City Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Jim Parkes, Bill Davis, Bill Telford, J Swift Con: L Taylor Pen: L Taylor Try: George Wade, Billy Ghent, Godkin Pen: Maurice Wetherill Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Arthur Rae 9 July Newton 14–3 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Alan Clarke, A McIntyre, Roy Hardgrave, C Rhodes Con: Craddock Dufty Try: R Allen Attendance: 3500 Referee: Les Bull Round 10 Richmond lost captain Jim Parkes who was moving back to Christchurch to join the Hornby club. The match between Devonport and Grafton was postponed due to the unfit nature of the field at the Auckland Domain. It was played on the following weekend at Devonport with other fixtures from that round not played due to the Auckland Rugby League making Carlaw Park available for the soccer match between New Zealand and Canada. Ponsonby fielded 3 brothers, future New Zealand international Tim Peckham, and his older brother Joseph, and younger brother Kenneth. 16 July Marist 5–2 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Norman King Con: Charles Gregory Pen: L Taylor Attendance: 9000 Referee: Arthur Rae 16 July Ponsonby 15–8 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Sydney Usher, Joseph Peckham 2, Kenneth Peckham, C Moore Try: George Wade 2 Con: Te Huia Hawira Mason Attendance: 9000 Referee: B Emirali 23 July Devonport 32–8 Grafton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Stan Webb 2, Allan Seagar 3, J Beattie 2, Len Scott Con: Alf Scott 2, Albert Laing, Bert Laing Try: Christmas, Bert Avery Con: R Longville Referee: H McKubrey Round 11 30 July Ponsonby 13–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: H Riley, Tim Peckham, C Moore Con: George Gardiner 2 Attendance: 8000 Referee: William Mincham 30 July Newton 14–8 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave, Wally Somers, Trevor Hall, A McIntyre Con: Craddock Dufty Try: Maurice Wetherill, C Pascoe Con: F Austin Attendance: 8000 Referee: H Taylor 30 July Richmond 21–3 Grafton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: Frederick Bass, W Hanlon, J Swift 2, Bill Davis Con: L Taylor Try: C Timmins Referee: Percy Rogers Round 12 6 August Newton 20–10 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave, M Little, Wally Somers, W Henry Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty Try: Jim O'Brien, Leslie Knott Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory Attendance: 8000 Referee: Les Bull 6 August Ponsonby 31–7 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso 3, George Gardiner, Kenneth Peckham, Victor Fagan, Tim Peckham Con: George Gardiner 3, Tim Peckham Pen: George Gardiner Try: Angelo Con: Lucas Pen: Ralph Longville Attendance: 8000 Referee: H McKubrey 6 August Devonport 18–8 Richmond Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Ernest Ruby, J Beattie 2, Stanley Rule Con: Alf Scott 3 Try: K Hyland, Frederick Bass Con: Edmund Carroll Referee: William Mincham Round 13 Bert Avery was carried off the field with concussion in the Newton match against Grafton. He had been attempting to tackle M Herewini who tried to hurdle him and made contact with Avery's head. Avery was taken to Auckland Hospital where he eventually recovered. His brother Henry who was also a league played died later in the week after a bout of pneumonia and Bert Avery decided to retire after many years playing for and captaining Grafton and New Zealand. 13 August Ponsonby 9–6 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Kenneth Peckham, George Gardiner, Sydney Usher Try: J Beattie, Stanley Rule Attendance: 7000 Referee: William Mincham 13 August Marist PPD City Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Referee: Vic Simpson 13 August Newton 26–2 Grafton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: Alan Clarke 2, Trevor Hall, A McIntyre, D McLeod, Wally Somers Con: Craddock Dufty 4 Pen: Craddock Dufty Pen: Lucas Referee: H Taylor Round 14 20 August Newton 5–3 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: M Little Pen: Craddock Dufty Try: Len Scott Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Percy Rogers 20 August Ponsonby 19–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: George Gardiner, Kenneth Peckham, Eric Grey, Frank Delgrosso, Wilfred McNeil Con: George Gardiner 2 Try: Stan Prentice Con: Bill Telford Attendance: 4000 Referee: W Ripley 20 August City 5–0 Grafton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: Billy Ghent Con: E Spencer Referee: H McKubrey Final 27 August Newton 6–3 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Pen: Craddock Dufty 2 Drop: M Herewini Try: Wilfred McNeil Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Les Bull Roope Rooster knockout competition Round 1 Craddock Dufty and captain W Clarke were both out injured from the Newton side for their match with Marist. Hamilton went off injured for City meaning they had to finish the match with Richmond with 12 players. The scores were tied at the end of the match 17–17 so 5 minutes extra time was played with Telford scoring and Carroll converting to win the game for Richmond. This was the first time extra time had been used to decide a game in an Auckland Rugby League senior competition. Usually matches were replayed the following week. 3 September Marist 27–13 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Jim O'Brien, Leslie Knott, Noble 2, Drew, Hec Brisbane, Sweeney Con: Charles Gregory, Leslie Knott, Owen Cronin Try: Roy Hardgrave, A McIntyre, M Little Con: M Herewini Pen: M Herewini Attendance: 6000 Referee: A Sanders 3 September Richmond 22–17 (17–17) City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: L Taylor 2, J Swift, Ralph Jenkinson, Turton, Bill Telford Con: L Taylor, Edmund Carroll Try: C Pascoe, George Wade Con: E Spencer 2 Pen: E Spencer 2 Attendance: 6000 Referee: H Taylor 3 September Ponsonby 27–16 Grafton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: Sydney Usher 2, Ward 2, Kenneth Peckham, Allen, George Gardiner Con: Frank Delgrosso, Eric Grey, Lou Hutt Try: Allen 2, Forbes, Martin Con: Lucas, Ralph Longville Referee: William Mincham Semi finals The Auckland representative team had left for their southern tour and so all teams were fielding greatly weakened sides. Holmes, a rugby representative three-quarter signed for Devonport just before their game with Ponsonby. 10 September Devonport 21–5 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: P Holmes 2, Alf Scott, Allan Seagar, Len Scott Con: Allan Seagar 2, Simmonds Try: George Gardiner Con: George Gardiner Referee: H Taylor 10 September Richmond 15–0 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Turley, Ralph Jenkinson 2 Con: L Taylor 2 Pen: L Taylor Referee: Les Bull Final A. Finlayson switched codes to join Richmond signing one minute before kick off so as to keep the switch secret. The following week he applied for reinstatement into rugby union. Richmond won the Roope Rooster for the second consecutive year. It was a case of déjà vu with another 1 pt victory over Devonport who they had beaten the year before. 17 September Richmond 7–6 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: L Taylor Pen: L Taylor 2 Try: Len Scott 2 Referee: Percy Rogers Stormont Memorial Shield Newton won the match by 25 points to 14, but the match was noteworthy due to the large number of injuries suffered. G. Norman the Newton captain was concussed and had his jaw broken, Dick Stack fractured his leg, W. Rhodes broke his collar-bone, and Wally Somers sprained his ankle. The first three players were all taken to Auckland Hospital, while Somers was taken home. Stacks leg injury was so bad in fact that his leg had to be amputated and he spent many months in hospital. There were several matches in the following season used to raise funds for him and his family. 1 October Newton 25–14 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: G Rhodes, Craddock Dufty, Dick Stack, Alan Clarke, M Little, Roy Hardgrave Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Try: W Hanlon, Turton Con: Edmund Carroll Pen: L Taylor 2, Edmund Carroll Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Les Bull A Grade/B Grade promotion-relegation match At the conclusion of the A and B division competitions the last placed Grafton Athletic from the A Division played against the winners of the B Division Ellerslie for the right to compete in the A Division in 1928. Ellerslie won the match by 11 points to 3 thus earning themselves a place in A Division and forcing Grafton Athletic to play in the lower grade. This was the first time in Auckland Rugby League competition that such a match had been played. 17 September Ellerslie 11–3 Grafton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: W Johnston, R Johnston, Ivan Littlewood Con: Kearns Try: Jack McGregor Top try scorers and point scorers Top try and point scorers for A Division, Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield competitions. Rank Player Team Tries 1 Len Scott Devonport 14 2 J Beattie Devonport 12 3 George Wade City 10 3 Hec Brisbane Marist 10 5 M Little Newton 9 5 Allan Seagar Devonport 9 7 Leslie Knott Marist 8 7 Sydney Usher Ponsonby 8 9 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby 7 10 Roy Hardgrave Newton 7 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Points 1 Craddock Dufty Newton 4 17 9 64 2 L Taylor Richmond 5 9 8 49 3 George Gardiner Ponsonby 6 12 1 44 4 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby 7 8 3 43 5 Len Scott Devonport 14 0 0 42 6 J Beattie Devonport 12 0 0 36 7 Allan Seagar Devonport 9 4 0 35 8 Hec Brisbane Marist 10 0 0 30 8 George Wade City 10 0 0 30 10 Leslie Knott Marist 8 2 0 28 B Division (Norton Cup) standings and results A large number of games did not have the scores reported in either The New Zealand Herald or the Auckland Star. As a result, the fixtures list is incomplete as is the final standings. Results are missing as follows, Kingsland x 2, Parnell x 1, Mangere x 4, Point Chevalier x 1, and Otahuhu x 1). In addition there were two cancelled matches. The Ellerslie win over Mangere is missing the score so Ellerslie and Mangere teams for and against is incomplete. B Division standings Team Pld W D L F A Pts Ellerslie United 13 13 0 0 151* 75* 26 Kingsland Rovers 13* 9 0 2 137 60 18 Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 12 7 0 5 74 66 14 Parnell 12* 3 1 7 103 131 7 Mangere United 12* 2 0 6 63* 79* 4 Point Chevalier 13* 2 1 9 82 139 5 Otahuhu Rovers 12* 2 0 9 63 123 4 B Division (Norton Cup) fixtures The Round 8 match between Mangere and Northcote was not played due to the condition of the ground at Mangere, as was the Round 15 match between Otahuhu and Northcote at the Auckland Domain. Date Score Score Venue Round 1 7 May Northcote 7 Mangere 6 Victoria Park – 7 May Otahuhu 12 Point Chevalier 6 Otahuhu Trotting Ground – 7 May Ellerslie 6 Parnell 5 Ellerslie Reserve Round 2 14 May Kingsland 8 Parnell 5 Victoria Park – 14 May Otahuhu 6 Ellerslie 8 Otahuhu Reserve – 14 May Point Chevalier 9 Mangere 5 Point Chevalier Round 3 21 May Ellerslie 26 Mangere 7 Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm – 21 May Otahuhu 3 Kingsland 11 Otahuhu Trotting Ground, 3pm – 21 May Point Chevalier 5 Northcote 6 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 4 28 May Ellerslie 6 Northcote 0 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 28 May Otahuhu 8 Parnell 11 Otahuhu Reserve – 28 May Mangere ? Kingsland ? Mangere, 3pm Round 5 4 June Kingsland 20 Northcote 6 Victoria Park, 3pm – 4 June Ellerslie 23 Point Chevalier 5 Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm – 4 June Mangere 15 Parnell 11 Otahuhu Trotting Ground Round 6 11 June Otahuhu 7 Mangere 6 Otahuhu Reserve – 11 June Northcote 8 Parnell 3 Auckland Domain, 3pm – 11 June Kingsland 11 Point Chevalier 5 Victoria Park Round 7 18 June Otahuhu 5 Northcote 8 Otahuhu, 3pm – 18 June Ellerslie 9 Kingsland 5 Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm – 18 June Point Chevalier ? Parnell ? Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 8 25 June Point Chevalier 19 Otahuhu 3 Point Chevalier, 3pm – 25 June Mangere CCD Northcote CCD Mangere, 3pm – 25 June Ellerslie 21 Parnell 20 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm Round 9 2 July Mangere ? Point Chevalier ? Mangere, 3pm – 2 July Ellerslie 13 Otahuhu 0 Ellerslie, 3pm – 2 July Kingsland 23 Parnell 7 Victoria Park, 3pm Round 10 9 July Northcote 13 Point Chevalier 0 Victoria Park, 3pm – 9 July Kingsland 25 Otahuhu 0 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm – 9 July Mangere L Ellerslie W Otahuhu Trotting Track, 3pm Round 11 23 July Mangere 8 Kingsland 11 Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm – 16 July Parnell 11 Otahuhu 7 Victoria Park, 3pm – 16 July Ellerslie 8 Northcote 0 Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm Round 12 30 July Mangere 16 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm – 30 July Kingsland WBD Northcote LBD Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm – 30 July Point Chevalier 6 Ellerslie 13 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 13 6 Aug Mangere ? Otahuhu ? Mangere Trotting Ground, 3pm – 6 Aug Parnell 11 Northcote 8 Victoria Park, 3pm – 6 Aug Point Chevalier 8 Kingsland 20 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 14 13 Aug Ellerslie 9 Kingsland 3 Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm – 13 Aug Northcote 5 Otahuhu 2 Outer Domain # 2, 3pm – 13 Aug Point Chevalier 11 Parnell 11 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 15 20 Aug Otahuhu PPD Northcote PPD Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm – 20 Aug Ellerslie 9 Point Chevalier 8 Auckland Domain # 6 – 20 Aug Kingsland ? Mangere ? Otahuhu Trotting Ground, 3pm Stallard Cup knockout competition 1927 Stallard Cup results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 3 Sep Kingsland 13 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain # 5, 3pm – 3 Sep Ellerslie W Otahuhu L Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm Final 10 Sep Ellerslie 15 Kingsland 10 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm Other club matches and lower grades Lower grades There were 9 lower grades in 1927 if you include the split grades. Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade (Wright Cup): Devonport United (also won knock out - Foster Shield), Hamilton, Kingsland Rovers, Mangere United, Marist Old Boys, Parnell, Ponsonby United, Remuera, Richmond Rovers. Devonport had a season record of played 14, won 13, lost 1, points for 252 and against 62. Third Grade Open (Walker Shield): Akarana, Grafton Athletic, Devonport United, Glen Eden, Mangere United, New Lynn, Newton Rangers, Devonport United, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Parnell, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers Third Grade Intermediate: City Rovers, Devonport United, Ellerslie United, Kingsland Rovers, Parnell, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers A, Richmond Rovers B Fourth Grade A (Hospital Cup): Akarana, Grafton Athletic, Devonport United, Ellerslie United, Devonport United, Ponsonby United, Remuera, Richmond Rovers Fourth Grade B: Grafton Athletic, Ellerslie, Ponsonby United A, Ponsonby United B, Remuera, Richmond Rovers Fifth Grade (Endean Shield): Akarana, City Rovers, Newton Rangers, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers Sixth Grade A: Akarana, Grafton Athletic, City Rovers, Devonport United (won knock out - Hamill Cup), Marist Old Boys A, Marist Old Boys B, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers. Devonport United won the Hammill Cup for winning the sixth A grade knockout competition. Sixth Grade B (Myers Cup): Akarana, City Rovers, Devonport United, Grafton Athletic, Kingsland Rovers, Marist Old Boys, Point Chevalier, Richmond Rovers Primary Schools: Newmarket, Onehunga, Onehunga Convent, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Richmond Rovers, (Otahuhu was a combination of students from several schools in the area and as such did not represent Otahuhu Primary School). Primary Schools final standings Team Pld W D L F A Pts Otahuhu 10 9 0 1 207 9 18 Richmond 10 7 2 1 145 28 16 Newmarket 10 6 2 2 131 38 14 Papatoetoe 10 4 0 6 40 138 8 Onehunga Convent 10 1 0 9 11 94 2 Onehunga 10 1 0 9 6 180 2 Exhibition matches Huntly v Newton 24 July Huntly 14-12 Newton Ngaruawahia   3:00 Try: Little, Mormon Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty Try: J Farrell, G Raynor, Smith, S Raynor Con: G Raynor Referee: W Perry Devonport v Ponsonby The final match of the season was one played by Devonport against Ponsonby for charity. The money raised was given to the Mayor's unemployment fund. 22 October Devonport 27–19 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Allan Seagar, Horace Hunt, Ernest Ruby, J Beattie, Alf Scott Con: Allan Seagar 5 Pen: Allan Seagar Try: Allen 2, Frank Delgrosso 2, Victor Fagan Con: Kenneth Peckham, Langley Attendance: 5000 Other matches List of exhibition matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Junior representative trial match 9 July A Team 5 B Team 3 Carlaw Park # 1 Junior representative match 15 Oct Auckland Juniors 15 South Auckland Juniors 0 Carlaw Park Parnell tour match 9 July Parnell 27 Rotorua 3 Rotorua Parnell tour match 9 July Parnell Juniors 20 Rotorua Juniors 6 Rotorua Ponsonby tour match 23 July Rotorua 15 Ponsonby 22 Rotorua Ponsonby tour match 5 Sep Rotorua 8 Ponsonby 11 Rotorua Richmond junior tour match 1 Oct Rotorua B 0 Richmond 3rd Grade 8 Rotorua Representative season The Auckland teams for the season were to be selected by Ernie Asher, E.V. Fox, and A Blakey. The Auckland representative team won 6 of its 7 matches. They began the year with a victory over the Auckland representatives of the New Zealand team which had toured the England and recently returned home. They went on a 4 match tour during the year which saw victories over Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, and Wellington. They then played home matches against Buller and South Auckland. They beat Buller easily but then lost the Northern Union Challenge Cup after a loss to South Auckland. Representative fixtures The first representative fixture of the season was played on 30 April between Auckland and the Auckland members of the 1926 New Zealand touring team of England. Auckland v New Zealand (Auckland members) 30 April Auckland 24–21 New Zealand (Akl members) Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Claude List, Maurice Wetherill, Tim Peckham, A Payne, Alan Clarke Con: Tim Peckham, Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke Try: Lou Brown 3, Joe Menzies, Jim Parkes Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: George Gardiner Attendance: 14,000 Referee: Les Bull Auckland v Canterbury (Northern Union C.C.) 10 September Canterbury 13–24 Auckland Monica Park, Christchurch   3:00 Try: C Robins, H Vivian 2 Con: Gordon Blazey Pen: Gordon Blazey Try: Claude List, Stan Webb, Lou Hutt, A Payne 2, Horace Dixon Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Attendance: 3,000 Referee: H Lawrence West Coast v Auckland (Northern Union C.C.) 14 September West Coast 15–42 Auckland Victoria Park, Greymouth   3:00 Try: Goodall 2, Griffiths Con: McElwee 3 Try: Maurice Wetherill 2, Wilson jun. 3, M Little 3, Craddock Dufty, J Payne, F Bass, Claude List Con: Wilson jun. 2, Craddock Dufty Otago v Auckland (Northern Union C.C.) 17 September Otago 13–20 Auckland Caledonian Ground, Dunedin   3:00 Try: R Oliver 2, M Quinn Con: Dan Sullivan Pen: Bert Eckhoff Try: George Wade, M Little, Stan Webb, Jim O'Brien Con: Craddock Dufty 4 Attendance: 2,000 Referee: G Packer Wellington v Auckland 21 September Wellington 23–41 Auckland Newtown Park, Wellington   3:00 Try: Brace, Halliday 3, Love Con: Bowen 3 Pen: Bowen Try: Stan Webb, F Bass, Wilson jun., Horace Dixon 4, Trevor Hall, George Wade Con: Craddock Dufty 6, F Bass Referee: C Wrack North Island v South Island 24 September North Island 13–8 South Island Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List, G Raynor 2 Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Try: Woods, Hand Con: Sullivan Attendance: 7,000 Referee: William Mincham Auckland v Buller The Buller side was coached by former City Rovers player, Bill Davidson. 8 October Auckland 60–33 Buller Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Wilson jun., Claude List 3, J Beattie 3, Charles Gregory 3, Maurice Wetherill, Stan Webb, A Payne 2, Horace Dixon, Lou Hutt Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Wilson jun., Charles Gregory, E Spencer 2 Try: Burns, Cameron 2, Jack, Davis, Goodall 2 Con: Goodall 6 Attendance: 7,000 Referee: William Mincham Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union C.C.) 15 October Auckland 12–29 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave, Claude List, Wilson jun., Allan Seagar Try: J Whorskey 2, Everest, Hec McDonald, Timms 3 Con: J Whorskey 2, Stan Raynor Pen: Stan Raynor Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Bull Auckland representative matches played and scorers No Name Club Team Play Tries Con Pen Drop Goal Points 1 Craddock Dufty Newton 6 4 13 0 0 38 2 Claude List Kingsland 5 7 0 0 0 21 3 A Payne Ponsonby 6 6 0 0 0 18 3 Horace Dixon Devonport 6 6 0 0 0 18 5 J Wilson jun. Mangere 6 5 1 0 0 17 6 Maurice Wetherill City 6 4 0 0 0 12 6 M Little Newton 3 4 0 0 0 12 6 Stan Webb Devonport 5 4 0 0 0 12 9 Charles Gregory Marist 3 3 1 0 0 11 10 J Beattie Devonport 1 3 0 0 0 9 11 F Bass Richmond 2 2 1 0 0 8 12 Alan Clarke Newton 3 1 1 1 0 7 13 George Wade City 3 2 0 0 0 6 13 Lou Hutt Ponsonby 5 2 0 0 0 6 15 Tim Peckham Richmond 1 1 1 0 0 5 16 E Spencer City 1 0 2 0 0 4 17 Ivan Littlewood Ellerslie 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Jim O'Brien Devonport 5 1 0 0 0 3 17 Trevor Hall Newton 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Roy Hardgrave Newton 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Allan Seagar Devonport 1 1 0 0 0 3 22 William Hanlon Richmond 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Stan Prentice Richmond 3 0 0 0 0 0 22 Neville St George Devonport 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Wally Somers Newton 4 0 0 0 0 0 22 A McIntyre Newton 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Stanley Rule Devonport 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Sam Crewther Ellerslie 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Ernest Ruby Devonport 1 0 0 0 0 0 References External links Auckland Rugby League Official Site