1929 Auckland Rugby League season

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

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.

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).

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.

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. 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. 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.

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 traveled 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”.

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. T. Hanlon of the Richmond club signed for Broughton Rangers club late in the season.

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.

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.

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.

	12 October	Marist	10-9	South Sydney	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Charles Gregory 2 Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory		Try: Jack Why Con: Alf Blair Pen: Benny Wearing, Oscar Quinlivan	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: A Harlock

	19 October	Marist	5-21	South Sydney	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Batchelor Pen: Charles Gregory		Try: Benny Wearing, Carl Eggen 2, Harry Eyers, Alf Binder Con: Benny Wearing Pen: Benny Wearing 2	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Les Bull

Obituaries

Leonard Neild

Leonard Neild who had refereed club and representative matches in Auckland for many years in the 1910s and 20s was killed in a car accident in Otorohanga on September 2. He also refereed test matches between New Zealand and England in 1920 and 1924. He was living in Ponsonby at the time of his death.

Albert Ernest Powell

Albert Ernest Powell died on October 1 as a result of suicide. Powell had been joint manager of the New Zealand team which toured Australia in 1911, and was manager of the side again in 1919 which played Australia. He was the Auckland selector for many years up until 1926 and was made a life member at this point. He was also the time-keeper and press steward at Carlaw Park. Powell had served in the Boer War and World War 1. At the time of his death he was working as a mechanic for the Post and Telegraph Department. It was said that he had not shown any signs of depression but had been suffering from insomnia for quite some time. He left behind a widow, a daughter and 2 sons.

Monteith Shield (First Grade Championship)

The Round 6 match between Richmond and Kingsland was postponed as Richmond had traveled to Hikurangi to play against the local team which was in its second season.

Senior A Grade Standings

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 Senior A Grade Fixtures 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. Round 1 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. 27 April Devonport 20-8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Coghlan, Len Scott, J Beattie, E Ruby Con: Alf Scott 2, H Scott Pen: Alan Seagar Try: Schofield, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Les Bull 27 April Newton 21-20 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: M Little 2, Ted Brimble 2, Francis Con: Roy Hardgrave, G Rhodes Pen: Butterworth Try: Jim O’Brien, Graham 2, D Duane Con: Cronin 2, George Batchelor Pen: George Batchelor Attendance: 5,000 Referee: P Rogers 27 April Ellerslie 8-22 Richmond Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, H Crewther Pen: Ivan Littlewood Try: Colebrook, McKinnon 2, Mincham, Coote 2 Con: Mincham, T Hanlon Referee: A McKubrey 27 April City 21-16 Kingsland Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Iverson 2, Reynolds 2, Cox Con: Len Barchard 3 Try: Angelo, Claude List Attendance: 5,000 Referee: T Chernside Round 2 4 May Richmond 9-8 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Mincham Con: Mincham Pen: Mincham 2 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 Try: Roy Hardgrave Referee: P Rogers 4 May City 11-8 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hadley, Lawrence, W Perry Con: Laurie Barchard Try: Bob Crewther, Hobbs Pen: Hemingway Referee: Vic Simpson 4 May Devonport 29-7 Kingsland Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: O’Leary 2, S Rule 2, Alf Scott, Casey, Rhodes Con: Alf Scott 2, E Ruby, J Beattie Try: Angelo Con: Herring Pen: Herring Referee: A McKubrey Round 3 11 May Ponsonby 14-10 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: J Payne, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: McDonald, Phil Brady Con: Clarke 2 Attendance: 5,000 Referee: P Rogers 11 May City 15-12 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Townsend, Perry, Reynolds Con: Laurie Barchard, Wilson Hall Pen: Laurie Barchard Try: Mincham, McKinnon Pen: Mincham, J Hamilton 2 Attendance: 5,000 Referee: B Emirali 11 May Newton 12-10 Kingsland Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave, Hammond Con: Ted Brimble Pen: Ted Brimble 2 Try: Longville, R Carter Con: Longville Pen: Longville Referee: F Thompson 11 May Ellerslie 12-16 Devonport Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Johnson Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway 2 Try: Masefield, McCarthy, J Beattie, Len Scott Con: Allan Seagar 2 Referee: T Chernside Round 4 18 May Devonport 8-4 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott 2 Pen: Alf Scott Pen: Puti Watene Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull 18 May Ponsonby 15-10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: McIntyre 3 Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Davis Con: Mincham 2 Pen: J Hamilton Attendance: 10,000 Referee: A McKubrey 18 May Newton 15-7 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave 2, Ted Brimble Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Drop: Craddock Dufty 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: Campbell, Graham 2, Wilf Hassan Con: Campbell, Hickey Pen: Campbell Try: R Carter 2, Longfield, McLaughlin Con: Longfield 2 Pen: Longfield Attendance: 10,000 Referee: T Chernside 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. 25 May Devonport 15-7 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Trevor O’Leary 2, Rhodes Con: Simons 2 Pen: Simons Try: T Hanlon Pen: Mincham Referee: T Chernside 25 May Newton 17-12 City Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Roy Hardgrave, M Little, Rhodes Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty Try: Puti Watene, Reynolds Con: Puti Watene Pen: Puti Watene Referee: Les Bull 25 May Ponsonby 41-10 Kingsland Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Lou Hutt, Winters, Schofield 2, J Payne, Moore, McIntryre 2, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 6 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: R Carter, Longville Con: Longville Referee: B Emirali 25 May Marist 19-16 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   1:45 Try: Phil Brady 4, George Batchelor Con: N Campbell Pen: Clark Try: Cook, Chapman, Oliff Con: Cook, Oliff Referee: A Rae Round 6 1 June Devonport 24-9 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Alf Scott, J Beattie 2, Trevor O’Leary, Allan Seagar, L O’Leary Con: Simons, Allan Seagar 2 Try: Stanley Francis Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 Attendance: 7,000 Referee: P Rogers 1 June Ponsonby 24-5 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: McIntyre, Lou Hutt, Winters, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Try: Oliff Con: Oliff Attendance: 7,000 Referee: T Hill 1 June City 5-3 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Iverson Con: L Barchard Try: Hickey Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A McKubrey 1 June Richmond PPD Kingsland   Round 7 In the match between Marist and Devonport both E 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. 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 Try: McLaughlin, Hamilton, Barchard Con: McLaughlin Attendance: 8,000 Referee: B Emirali 8 June Marist 13-13 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Charles Gregory, Johnson, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 2 Try: E Ruby Con: Simons Pen: Simons 4 Attendance: 8,000 Referee: P Rogers 8 June Newton 13-10 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hall, Roy Hardgrave, Page Con: Roy Hardgrave 2 Try: Coote 2 Con: Hamilton Pen: 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: Longville 2 Pen: Longville 2 Try: Cooke Con: Sam Crewther Attendance: 8,000 Referee: A Rae Round 8 15 June Devonport 10-5 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Casey, McCarthy Con: Allan Seagar 2 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, G Perry 2 Con: Puti Watene 2 Try: Ramm, Claude List Con: Longville Attendance: 12,000 Referee: W Mincham 15 June Marist 20-19 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Phil Brady, McDonald 2, Johnson Con: Campbell 3 Pen: Campbell Try: G Rhodes, Roy Hardgrave 2, Hall, Ted Brimble Con: Roy Hardgrave Pen: Ted Brimble Attendance: 12,000 Referee: A McKubrey 15 June Richmond 10-5 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   1:30 Try: R Jenkinson, Mincham Pen: Hamilton, Mincham Try: Hobbs Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 12,000 Referee: W Simpson Round 9 22 June Ponsonby 42-3 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Thompson, Frank Delgrosso 2, Winters, Schofield 2, McIntyre 2, Skelton 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 4, George Gardiner 2 Try: Roy Hardgrave Referee: Vic Simpson 22 June Devonport 19-8 Kingsland Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: L O’Leary 3, E Ruby, Trevor O’Leary Con: Allan Seagar 2 Try: R Carter, Christmas Pen: Railey Referee: G McCowatt 22 June Richmond 9-11 Marist Grey Lynn Park   3:00 Try: R Jenkinson Pen: Mincham 3 Try: Hickey, Jim O’Brien, Bulcraig Pen: Campbell Attendance: 600 Referee: B Emirali 22 June Ellerslie 0-10 City Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: G Perry, L Barchard Con: L Barchard Referee: P Rogers Round 10 29 June Ponsonby 10-10 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: McIntyre, Riley Con: George Gardiner Pen: George Gardiner Try: Graham, Johnston Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory Referee: P Rogers 29 June City 24-0 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: G Perry, L Barchard 2, McLaughlin, Hadley, Iverson Con: Puti Watene 3 Referee: Les Bull 29 June Kingsland 14-10 Newton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: R Carter, Simms 2, McLoughlan Con: Railey Try: Peckham, Ferguson Con: Ted Brimble 2 Referee: B Emirali 29 June Devonport 19-5 Ellerslie Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Len Scott 2, Allan Seagar, S Rule, L O’Leary Con: Simons 2 Try: Bob Crewther Con: Oliff Referee: G McCowatt Round 11 6 July City 17-8 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Laurie Barchard 2, McLaughlin, Pascoe, G Perry Con: L Barchard Try: L 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 Try: Mincham, Davis, Stan Prentice, Lennie Con: Mincham 2 Referee: B Emirali 6 July Marist 25-10 Kingsland Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Johnston, George Batchelor, McDonald 2, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 4 Pen: Charles Gregory Try: Claude List, Carter Pen: Longville 2 Referee: W Mincham 6 July Ellerslie 5-7 Newton Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Tooman Con: Craddock Dufty Try: M Little Con: Peckham Pen: Peckham Referee: S Billman Round 12 W Shortland, an ex-Maori All Black transferred to City 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”. 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 aa 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: Simons Referee: Les Bull 13 July City 16-6 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: W Perry, Reynolds, Hadley, G Perry Con: Barchard Pen: Barchard Try: Cammick, Francis Referee: W Simpson 13 July Ponsonby 9-0 Kingsland Carlaw Park 2   1:30 Try: P Skelton, George Gardiner, W Skelton Referee: Vic Simpson 13 July Marist Abandoned Ellerslie Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Referee: S Billman Round 13 R.D. Revell transferred from Ponsonby to Kingsland during the week. 20 July Marist 13-7 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Graham, Dick Moisley, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory 2 Try: McLaughlin Con: Puti Watene Pen: Puti Watene Referee: P Rogers 20 July Devonport 35-3 Newton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: J Beattie 2, Rhodes, Alf Scott, S Rule, Allan Seagar, Casey 2, Len Scott Con: Simons 4 Try: McLeod Referee: S Billman 20 July Kingsland 6-0 Richmond Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Claude List, Christmas Referee: W Simpson 20 July Ellerslie 3-20 Ponsonby Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Grogan Try: Moore 2, W Skelton, Fagan, P Skelton, George Gardiner Con: Frank Delgrosso Referee: W Weston 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. 3 August Marist 10-6 Devonport Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Phil Brady, Johnson Con: Charles Gregory 2 Try: J Beattie 2 Referee: Les Bull 3 August Ponsonby 17-5 City Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: P Skelton 2, Thompson Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Try: G Perry Con: Laurie Barchard Referee: B Emirali 3 August Newton 6-0 Richmond Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: M Little 2 Referee: A Rae 3 August Kingsland 19-7 Ellerslie Mt Wellington (Westfield)   3:00 Try: York 3, Angelo, Simms Con: Lucas Pen: Claude List Try: Crewther Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway Referee: S Billman Postponed Round 12 Match 10 August Marist 26-0 Ellerslie Auckland Domain   2:00 Try: McDonald 2, Charles Gregory, Johnson, Wilf Hassan 2 Con: Charles Gregory 4 Referee: B Emirali Postponed Round 6 Match The Round 6 match which was postponed saw Richmond default to Kingsland. 10 August Kingsland WBD-LBD Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:30 Referee: A Rae Final 10 August Ponsonby 5-0 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: George Gardiner Pen: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Les Bull Roope Rooster Knockout Competition Marist won the Roope Rooster for the second consecutive year after defeating Ponsonby 17-9 in the final. Round 1 A 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 and injured neck and K 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 Try: Lou Wilson Referee: W Simpson 31 August Richmond 17-12 Devonport Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Patterson 2, Surtess Pen: A Berridge 4 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: P Skelton 2, W Skelton, George Gardiner, Schofield, Moore, McIntyre Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Try: M Little, Hill, Francis 2, Ted Brimble, Mansell Con: K Peckham 2 Referee: A Rae 31 August City 18-9 City Mt Wellington   3:00 Try: Clarke, Laurie Barchard, G Perry, Iverson Con: Laurie Barchard 3 Try: Bob Crewther Con: Hemingway Pen: Hemingway, Craddock Dufty Referee: S Billman Semi Final 14 September Marist 23-7 City Carlaw Park 1   3:15 Try: Phil Brady, McDonald, Jim O’Brien, George Batchelor, Graham Con: Charles Gregory 2, Jim O’Brien Pen: Charles Gregory Try: Hadley Pen: Puti Watene Drop: McLoughlin Referee: Les Bull 14 September Ponsonby 23-0 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   2:00 Try: Skelton, Winters, McIntyre, Riley, Schofield Con: Skelton, Frank Delgrosso, Moore Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: Vic Simpson Final 21 September Marist 17-9 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Charles Gregory, Jim O’Brien, Phil Brady, Clarke, Wilf Hassan Con: Jim O’Brien Try: Winters, George Gardiner Referee: P Rogers Stormont Memorial Shield Frank Delgrosso went off in the second half with an injured knee. 28 September Marist 28-14 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Johnson, George Batchelor 3, Penalty Try, N Campbell Con: Charles Gregory 3, George Batchelor Pen: Charles Gregory Try: McIntyre, Skelton Con: Skelton, George Gardiner Pen: George Gardiner 2 Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Vic Simpson 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. Rank Player Team Tries 1 Phil Brady Marist Old Boys 13 2 Schofield Ponsonby United 12 3 McIntyre Ponsonby United 11 4 Winters Ponsonby United 9 4 Roy Hardgrave Newton Rangers 9 4 J Beattie Devonport United 9 4 Len Scott Devonport United 9 8 George Perry City Rovers 8 8 R Carter Kingsland Athletic 8 8 McDonald Marist Old Boys 8 11 M Little Newton Rangers 7 11 George Batchelor Marist Old Boys 7 11 Graham Marist Old Boys 7 11 Johnson Marist Old Boys 7 11 Thompson Ponsonby United 7 14 L O'Leary Devonport United 6 14 Claude List Kingsland Athletic 6 14 P Skelton Ponsonby United 6 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Points 1 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 4 36 12 108 2 Charles Gregory Marist Old Boys 4 21 4 62 3 Mincham Richmond Rovers 5 6 9 58 4 Laurie Barchard City Rovers 4 14 2 44 5 Phil Brady Marist Old Boys 13 0 0 39 6 Schofield Ponsonby United 12 0 0 36 6 Allan Seagar Devonport United 4 10 2 36 8 Roy Hardgrave Newton Rangers 9 4 0 35 9 McIntyre Ponsonby United 11 0 0 33 10 Simons Devonport United 0 11 5 32 B Grade Standings and Results Two results were unknown. The Round 5 match between Northcote and Mangere resulted in a win to the former team but the actual score was not stated. The Round 10 result between the same two teams was also not published. The standings include the final played between Otahuhu 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 11 8 1 2 223 44 17 Northcote 9 4 0 4 54 72 8 Richmond B 9 4 0 5 89 87 8 Parnell 10 2 0 8 112 145 4 Mangere 9 1 0 8 44 221 0 Senior B Grade Fixtures In the first round of the season Mangere began their match with Otahuhu with just ten players, though had reached thirteen near halftime. It was the first time league had been played on the newly acquired Mangere 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 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 Date Score Score Venue Round 1 28 April Point Chevalier 11 Parnell 10 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm – 28 April Mangere 0 Otahuhu 48 Mangere Domain, 3pm Round 2 4 May 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 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 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 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 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 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 Otahuhu 10 Point Chevalier 6 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 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 Point Chevalier 8 Richmond B 0 Point Chevalier, 3pm – 29 June Northcote ? Mangere ? Northcote, 3pm – 29 June Otahuhu 32 Parnell 5 Papatoetoe, 3pm Final 6 July 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. 24 August Ellerslie 5-0 Point Chevalier Carlaw Park   1:30 Try: Arthur Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 10,000 Referee: P Rogers Stallard Cup Competition 1929 Stallard Cup Results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 13 July Northcote 5 Parnell 2 Victoria Park, 3pm – 13 July Mangere ? Richmond B ? Sturgess Park, Otahuhu , 3pm – 13 July Otahuhu 5 Point Chevalier 0 Mangere Racecourse, 3pm Round 2 20 July 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 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 Point Chevalier 13 Mangere 0 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm – 10 Aug Parnell ? Richmond ? Auckland Domain, 3pm – 10 Aug Otahuhu 7 Northcote 3 Victoria Park, 3pm Round 5 31 Aug 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 Otahuhu 11 Point Chevalier 0 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm Auckland Rugby League Lower Grades and Exhibition Games Lower Grades Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade: Devonport, Kingsland, Newton, Mangere, Mount Albert, Mount Wellington, Ponsonby, Remuera Third Grade Open: Devonport, Ellerslie, Kingsland, Glen Lynn, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby A, Ponsonby B, Richmond Third Grade Intermediate: Akarana, City, Devonport, Glen Eden, Mount Albert, New Lynn, Newmarket, Newton, Northcote, Richmond, Fourth Grade: Akarana, City, Devonport, Kingsland, Mount Albert, Mount Wellington, Otahuhu, Ponsonby, Remuera, Richmond, Fifth Grade: Akarana, City, Devonport, Kingsland, Marist, Newmarket, Otahuhu, Point Chevalier, Richmond Sixth Grade A: Akarana, City, Devonport, Kingsland, Marist, Newmarket, Northcote, Otahuhu, Point Chevalier, Richmond Sixth Grade B: Ellerslie, Glen Lynn, Marist, New Lynn, Newton, Northcote, Papatoetoe, Point Chevalier, Richmond A, Richmond B Primary Schools: Devonport, Ellerslie, Mangere, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Newton, Onehunga Convent, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Parnell, Richmond. At the end of the season a schoolboys knockout tournament was held with proceeds going to the purchase of jerseys. Newmarket defeated Mangere in the final by 6 points to 0. Exhibition and Junior Representative Matches List of Matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Exhibition Match 30 March Kamo and Athletic Clubs Combined 9 Richmond 23 Whangarei Exhibition Match 10 Aug Huntly 23 City 13 Huntly Exhibition Match 17 Aug Northcote 18 Hamilton B 9 Northcote Municipal Recreation Ground (Stafford Park), Northcote Exhibition Match 17 Aug Huntly 16 Parnell 21 Huntly Schoolboy Exhibition Match 5 Sep North Auckland Schools 2 Auckland Schoolboys 17 Whangarei – 7 Sep Hikurangi 4 Auckland Schoolboys 6 Hikurangi Junior Inter-Provincial Match 27 July Auckland Juniors 15 South Auckland Juniors 8 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm Representative Season 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 C.C.) 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 broke his ribs during the match. 27 July Auckland 11-8 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane 2, Len Scott Con: Frank Delgrosso Try: George Tittleton Con: T Timms Pen: T Timms Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull Auckland v Northland (Northern Union C.C.) 17 August Auckland 22-19 Northland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Carter, Frank Delgrosso 2, Claude List, Allan Seagar, Campbell Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Try: L Grogan, R Cunningham, T Bergan, N Dunn 2 Con: L Grogan 2 Referee: Vic Simpson Auckland v Canterbury (Northern Union C.C.) 24 August Auckland 47-18 Canterbury Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List, Hec Brisbane, Carter, Frank Delgrosso, Allan Seagar, N Pascoe, Jim O'Brien, Payne 3, Stanley Francis Con: Frank Delgrosso 4, Jim O'Brien, Stanley Francis Try: E Spillane, J Amos, A O'Connor, T Green Con: J Sanders, A O’Connor 2 Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Mincham Inter Island Match Len Scott was injured during the match and replaced by Allan Seagar for the North Island while for the South Island 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 Ted Meyer, Dick Trautvetter, Bob Stephenson, Joe Menzies, Tom Timms, and T Bergan. 7 September North Island 13-22 South Island Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hamilton, Ted Meyer, Frank Delgrosso Con: Charles Gregory, Frank Delgrosso Try: Alf Townsend, Johnny Dodds, Norm Griffiths, Mick O’Brien Con: Bond 2 Pen: Bond 3 Attendance: 8,000 Referee: P Rogers Auckland Representative Matches Played and Points Scored No Name Club Team Played Tries Con Pen Points 1 Frank Delgrosso Newton Rangers 3 3 7 0 23 2 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 2 3 0 0 9 2 J Payne Ponsonby United 1 3 0 0 9 4 Claude List Kingsland Athletic 3 2 0 0 6 5 Allan Seagar Devonport United 3 2 0 0 6 6 R Carter Kingsland Athletic 2 2 0 0 6 7 Stanley Francis Newton Rangers 2 1 1 0 5 8 Jim O'Brien Marist Old Boys 1 1 1 0 5 9 Len Scott Devonport United 1 1 0 0 3 10 N Campbell Marist Old Boys 1 1 0 0 3 11 Charles Gregory Marist Old Boys 2 0 1 0 2 12 L Simons Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 12 McIntyre Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 12 Alf Scott Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 12 Skelton Ponsonby United 2 0 0 0 0 12 E Ruby Devonport United 2 0 0 0 0 12 Dick Moisley Marist Old Boys 3 0 0 0 0 12 N Pascoe City Rovers 2 0 0 0 0 12 W Hamilton City Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 12 Puti Watene City Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 12 W Shortland City Rovers 2 0 0 0 0 12 R Jenkinson Richmond Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 12 Fagan Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 Annual General Meetings and Club News Akarana Rugby League Football Club held at Carlaw Park on Sunday 24 March. It was noted that the club had assets totally £36 3s 5d. They had also sent a team on tour in each of its 3 seasons. The tour to Christchurch had cost £115 pounds which had been raised at social functions during the season. Auckland Rugby League annual general meeting held at the Chamber of Commerce, Swanson Street on Thursday 4 April. Auckland Rugby League Referees Association held at the League Rooms on Monday 25 March. City Rovers Football Club held at Carlaw Park on Sunday 17 March. The City team acquired the services of W. Shortland, the North Auckland and Māori representative rugby halfback. He moved to live in Auckland and surprised followers of both codes by playing for City in their Round 12 match. Devonport United Football Club held at Ford’s Tea Rooms on Monday 19 March. Ellerslie United League Football Club held at the club's training shed, Ellerslie on Monday 25 March. Grafton Athletics Rugby League Football Club held at Buffaloes Hall, St. Benedict’s St., near Newton Rd, on Sunday 24 March. It was decided at a later meeting to amalgamate with the Kingsland Rovers club. Junior Management Committee held at the Auckland Rugby League Rooms, Gray’s Buildings, on Tuesday 19 March. Kingsland Rovers Football Club held at Buffalo Lodge Rooms, St Benedicts St on Sunday 24 March. It was decided at a later meeting to amalgamate with the Grafton Athletic club. The vice-president Mr. Edward Thomas Avery died in a fall from a ladder while at his work at the Auckland Gas Company. His son was Bert Avery, who had captained the New Zealand team in England. Mangere United Football Club held in Cook’s Hall, Onehunga, Tuesday 9 April. Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club held at Donovan’s Gymnasium, Parnell on Thursday 14 March. Mt. Albert United Rugby League Football Club held at King George Hall, Mt Albert Terminus on Thursday 7 March. Mt Wellington Rugby League Football Club request players to get in touch with Secretary W.E. Frost. New Lynn League Football Club held at the Foresters’ Hall, New Lynn, on 13 March. The New Lynn and Glen Eden teams played as one in 1929 under the name of Glen Lynn. Newmarket Rugby League Football Club held at No. 8 Melrose St., Newmarket, Thursday 28 February. Newton Rangers Football Club held at Y.M.C.A Buildings, Wellesley St. East, on Monday 18 March. Newton complained after 3 rounds to the Management Committee that it was impossible for members of their team to play early matches at Carlaw Park as its players had to travel long distances at a heavy expense. Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers League Football Club held at Foresters’ Hall, Birkenhead on Monday. The Northcote, New Zealand Borough Council met on 21 May. It was decided that both rugby union and soccer had to pay for the use of the municipal football ground but league did not on account of it providing the use of its own large mower and labour to cut the grass when required. All clubs had to make their own arrangements for marking out the ground and removing the goal posts after play each Saturday. Otahuhu Rugby League Football Club held at the Gas Company’s Hall, Otahuhu, Monday 4 March. At the end of the season Otahuhu held a reunion where the B Grade team was congratulated on winning the Thistle Cup, and the schoolboys team was presented with the Davis Cup. Parnell League Football Club held at Donovan’s Gymnasium, Parnell, on Thursday 14 March. Papatoetoe Rugby League Club held at Papatoetoe Town Hall on Tuesday 2 April. They decided to form three teams and ask the council for permission to play on any of its grounds. They requested assistance from the Auckland Rugby League in the purchase of jerseys. Point Chevalier League Football Club held at the Sailing Club Hall on Wednesday 20 March. 60 members were present and it was decided to enter 6 teams across the various grades. Ponsonby United Football Club held at Leys Institute, Ponsonby, on Monday 18 March. Remuera Rugby League Football Club held at Mr. White’s Residence, 1a Clonbern Road, on Monday 11 March. Richmond Rovers Football Club held at the Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent on Thursday 14 March. Richmond was granted £10 by the Auckland Rugby League towards their trip to Hikurangi to play there. Richmond lost the services of T. Hanlon who signed to play for Broughton Rangers Club in England. He was set to leave on the Ruahine Ship on 21 August. Near the end of the season the league gave Prentice, a Richmond player for several seasons a sum of money to recognise his efforts over the years. He had suffered “a good deal of adversity”, including a broken nose… and has been put to a good deal of medical expense, but has never at any time made a claim upon the insurance fund provided by the League”.

External links

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site