1932 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1932 season was the 24th season of the Auckland Rugby League.

Devonport United won the Senior grade with a 7 win, 2 draw, and 1 loss record ahead of Marist Old Boys and Ponsonby United. They were the dominant team and their only loss came in the final round when they had already secured their second title first having won it in 1928. Marist Old Boys stuffed their trophy cabinet when they won the Roope Rooster (defeating City Rovers 28–8), Stormont Shield (defeating Devonport United 15–8), and Max Jaffe Cup for finishing runner up in the Senior Championship (they beat Ponsonby United in a playoff after both teams tied for second by 37 to 8). City Rovers won the Thistle Cup after beating Devonport in the final by 22 to 19 after both teams finished with 8 competitions points in the second round thus forcing a playoff for the Cup. Richmond won the Davis Shield after their lower grade teams combined for the most competition points in Auckland. This was remarkably their 10th win in the Shields 12 year history.

In the reserve grade Richmond Reserves won with an 8 win, 2 loss record, with Ponsonby Reserves finishing runner up. The Marist Old Boys club added yet another trophy to their season haul with their reserve grade team winning the Stallard Cup (awarded to the reserve grade knockout winners) when they beat Devonport Reserves by 12–6 in the final.

The representative program was marked by a match between Auckland and the touring England team. In a very competitive match Auckland went down by 14 to 19. Aside from this fixture Auckland only played matches against South Auckland where they won 29 to 13, and Lower Waikato in Huntly where they won 35–8. There were a series of trial matches such as North Island v South Island and Probables v Possibles matches dominated by Auckland players.

Annual general meeting

At the annual general meeting of the Auckland Rugby League on 11 April, Mr. E.J. Phelan presided as acting president due to Mr. James Carlaw’s absence. The plan put in place at the beginning of the 1931 season of having each club electing two members to represent them on the management committee and clubs taking a percentage of the gate receipts was considered a success. The election of officers took place and the results were: Patron: Hon. J.B. Donald (re-elected), President: Mr. James Carlaw (re-elected), Vice-presidents: Mr. George McMillan, Mr. O. Blackwood, Mr. S.H. Grange, Mr. W. Wallace, Mr. C. Seagar, Mr. R. Benson, Mr. C.H. Drysdale, Mr. E.J. Phelan, Mr. A.E. Laird, Mr. J.A. Lee, Mr. R.H. Woods, Mr. R.T. Sharman (all re-elected), and Mr. W.J. Meilklejohn, Mr. C. Gray Campbell, Mr. J.W. Dixon, and Mr. C. Faulkner.

Manukau Rugby League Club reborn, club name changes and competition restructuring

Prior to the season commencing the Mount Wellington club requested permission to change its name to Otahuhu Rovers and this was approved by the league. Their chairman Mr. L.W. Arnold said that the reorganised club was in good hands and they would enter teams in the second, fourth, and school teams grades. Their colours would be royal blue.

It was decided that the Ellerslie-Otahuhu club would revert to the name of Ellerslie United, and that senior players would be able to transfer to any other club, but juniors would need to obtain transfer clearance from Ellerslie.

At a meeting the following night the league decided to cut the teams in the first grade from seven to six with Ellerslie (or rather the combined Ellerslie-Otahuhu United team of 1931) being culled from the grade. The teams which would remain were Marist Old Boys, Devonport United, Ponsonby United, City Rovers, Newton Rangers, Richmond Rovers. The New Zealand Herald previewed the 6 teams in the week leading up to the first round of matches. It was initially decided to play two senior matches at Carlaw Park with the reserve teams playing the curtain raisers. However for Round 2 it was decided to play all three senior matches at Carlaw Park and reserve grade games elsewhere. This was a decision which clubs fought over as they wanted their reserve teams playing prior to the Senior A teams in case of needing players. This came to a fore after Round 5 when City Rovers arrived at Devonport, New Zealand 4 players short. Fortunately for them the reserve grade match was being played at the same venue at 1:30pm and so they were able to use those players to avoid defaulting.

In mid September plans began to manifest for the formation of a Manukau Rugby League Club. The plans were reported to an Auckland Rugby League Management Committee meeting. It was stated that there was a good deal of playing talent in the Manukau district. Mr. J. Rukutai was deputed to investigate the matter. On Thursday, 29 September they placed an ad for intending players and supporters to be held at the Strand Theatre Buildings, Onehunga. At this meeting the club was officially formed with Mr. H. Kemp convening the meeting. There were 52 people present including W. Mincham, referee of the RL Association, and Mr. T. Davis, secretary of the junior control board. Mr. J Rukutai said that the proposed club had been discussed by the league and they would give it every consideration. A resolution to form the club and have its headquarters in Onehunga was adopted. Mr W. Hayward was elected chairman, with the patron being Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., and the president Mr. E. Martin, Mayor of Onehunga. Financial assistance has also been promised by several local businessmen. A committee was formed to further the development of the club during the off season. The newly formed club asked that an exhibition match be played in Onehunga so that the club could gain some funds. Permission was granted for the match between second grade knockout final between Mangere and Mount Albert to be played at the Onehunga Recreation Reserve. The match was won by Mangere by 18 points to 15.

Financial statement, player passes and ground fees

The financial statement said that the revenue from the 1931 season totalled £2,907 with £2,293 coming from gate receipts and £228 from ground rents. Spending had amounted to £2,066 meaning a net surplus of £813. Of this £472 was given to Auckland clubs, £68 to the Referees’ Association and the Junior Management Committee, £30 in grants to visiting teams, £195 in honorariums, and £66 in presentations and trophies. Carlaw Park was valued as an asset at £10,152. At a meeting of the Auckland Rugby League Board of Control on 17 March it was decided to continue with giving teams a percentage of the gate takings as had been started in 1931.

The League made a decision on an issue that had caused problems for several years, which was the abuse of players passes to gain entry to Carlaw Park on match days. Club secretaries would now have to supply the names of senior team players and that they would be checked in a side gate by a special official.

It was decided to admit military patients from Auckland Hospital into Carlaw Park to watch Senior matches free of charge news. The Patients’ Welfare Committee gratefully acknowledged the league for the move.

The Auckland Rugby League, Auckland Rugby Union, and Auckland Football Association had asked the City Council if they could reduce their ground fees owing to the number of unemployed players. The City Council decided to reduce charges despite their Parks Committee suggesting otherwise. Mr. E.J. Phelan moved to reduce fees from 5s to 3s for games played from 12:30pm to 1:45pm, from 10s to 7s/6d for games played from 1:45pm to 3pm, and from 15s to 12s/6d for games played from 3pm onwards. This motion was passed by a show of hands.

Radio broadcast of Carlaw Park games

For the first ever time commentary of a game at Carlaw Park was broadcast. The 1ZQ station broadcast coverage of the Ponsonby v Devonport game in Round 1.

Rule issues

At the Auckland Rugby League Referees’ Association meeting on 16 May the City Club inquired about the play the ball rule. It was said that the rule was not being enforced properly regarding the forwards needing to be inside a 5 yard radius behind their halfback when the ball was being played. The New Zealand Council also wished for it to be known that the attacking side had the loose head at scrums but the defending team were to put the ball in. In addition hookers were not to go on their knees in scrums in order to get an advantage when raking the ball back.

Bert Cooke switches codes

In the middle of the season the famous All Black Bert Cooke (rugby) switched codes when he moved back to Auckland. He signed with the Richmond Rovers. The move proved very successful, so much so that he was selected for the North Island team in a trial match against the South Island only weeks after switching codes. He scored three tries and was selected for the New Zealand team to play England.

Obituaries

On 1 March Mr. D. W. McLean suffered a heart attack and died at a meeting of the North Shore Rowing Club where he was president. He was the first New Zealand president of Rugby League in Auckland. He, along with Mr. W. Wynyard and others was one of the founders of Rugby League in New Zealand.

In August William Thomas Wynyard, aged 49 died. He was a member of the New Zealand team which toured England in 1907–08.

On the morning of 4 October the Richmond senior player Harry Johns died aged 21 after a boxing match at the Auckland Town Hall the previous evening. He was knocked out in the 14th round of a 15 round fight by Archie Hughes of New South Wales. Johns had played junior football for Richmond since the age of 13 where he was a halfback. He had been in the seventh grade team which had won the championship and he repeated this feat in the following two years. In 1931 he was in the Third Intermediate grade which won the grade and he was promoted to the reserve grade team in 1932. His form was so good that he was promoted to the senior side and made the Probables versus Possibles match which played at Carlaw Park on 23 July. He was regarded as a certainty to gain higher honours in the future. Johns was originally from the West Coast of the South Island and was the oldest in a family of four. Several articles were published in The New Zealand Herald and the Auckland Star newspapers on his life and death. It was later reported that he had sustained a concussion in the Probables v Possibles match and bled from the nose along with requiring stitches in his head. He fought in Hastings shortly afterwards and lost. Johns then complained of feeling unwell and produced a medical certificate that he was not fit to fight. However he carried on playing league in the interim until beginning training for the fatal bout. It was said that those who knew him well could tell that he was not his usual self in the fight. He was laid to rest on 5 October at Waikumete Cemetery following an enormous gathering at the service with boxers and footballers walking before the cortege. Over 70 motor cars tailed the hearse and the entire procession was a mile long. The casket was draped in Richmond colours of blue and maroon.

Fox Memorial Shield (senior grade championship)

Senior grade standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts Devonport United 10 7 2 1 130 104 16 Marist Old Boys 10 5 2 3 129 105 12 Ponsonby United 10 6 0 4 159 158 12 City Rovers 10 3 2 5 134 164 8 Richmond Rovers 10 3 0 7 117 134 6 Newton Rangers 10 2 2 6 104 108 6 Senior grade fixtures Round 1 30 April Devonport 18–10 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: A Smith, E Scott, Dick Smith, E Ruby Con: Dick Smith 3 Try: Roy Bright, Pat Skelton Con: Pat Skelton Pen: Pat Skelton Referee: Vic Simpson 30 April Newton 18–5 City Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: A Porteous 2, Brimble, Allen Con: Claude Dempsey 3 Try: J Herring Con: F Herring Referee: John Stormont 30 April Richmond 5–0 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Ray Lawless Con: Ellis Referee: P Rogers Round 2 All Round 2 Senior matches were originally postponed due to heavy rain on the Saturday morning of May 7. 14 May Devonport 14–9 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: F H Hunt, C Rhodes Con: Dick Smith 2 Pen: Dick Smith Drop: Allan Seagar Try: Marshall Con: Ellis Pen: Ellis 2 Referee: Les Bull 14 May Marist 12–2 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Carter 2 Con: Alan Clarke 2 Pen: Alan Clarke Pen: Ralph Longville Referee: E McCall 14 May Ponsonby 8–6 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: A McIntyre, Lou Hutt Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Trevor Hall, Middleton Referee: B Emirali Round 3 Following the match between Marist and Ponsonby there was a protest by the Ponsonby club asking for a replay. Near the end of the game with Ponsonby leading an offside player (Alan Clarke) from a kick recovered the ball without Frank Delgrosso, the Ponsonby fullback touching the ball. The player then ran in a try untouched and Marist went on to add to their score. The incident saw the referee jeered by the spectators for some time. The Auckland Rugby League were not interested in a replay as it was a matter of a possible refereeing error rather than an incorrect rule interpretation. 21 May Marist 23–12 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List 2, Alan Clarke, Carter, Pat Meehan Con: Alan Clarke 4 Try: G R Mills Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Referee: F Thompson 21 May Richmond 16–6 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Marshall, Stan Prentice, C Reynolds 2 Con: W Jones 2 Try: Ben Davidson, Stan Clark Referee: Vic Simpson 21 May Devonport 8–8 Newton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: J Hawkes, Oliff Pen: Dick Smith Try: Cameron, Brimble Con: Claude Dempsey Referee: A E Chapman Round 4 Newton's win over Richmond was a milestone in the clubs history with it being their 100th first grade win. To this point they had played in 23 seasons. By the season end their all-time first grade record stood at 100-11-133 (For: 2,796 Against: 3,307). 28 May Marist 11–11 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Pat Meehan 2, Phil Brady Con: Alan Clarke Try: Allan Seagar, A Smith, J Harding Pen: Allan Seagar Referee: P Rogers 28 May Newton 15–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Brimble, A Porteous, Middleton Con: A Porteous Try: Stan Prentice 2, Marshall Pen: Valentine 2 Referee: B Emirali 28 May Ponsonby 30–13 City Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: L Riley 3, A McIntyre 3, H Lunn 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Drop: George Mills Try: Horatio Drew, Pierce 2 Con: Tim Peckham, N Hickey Referee: Les Bull Round 5 4 June Marist 13–10 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Pat Meehan 2, Johnson Con: Alan Clarke 2 Try: Cameron, Brimble Pen: A Porteous 2 Referee: E McCall 4 June Ponsonby 25–22 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: H Lunn 2, Roy Bright, Lou Hutt 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Try: Marshall, Pell, Stan Prentice, Calder Con: Marshall 3 Pen: Marshall 2 Referee: John Stormont 4 June Devonport 21–17 City Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Dick Smith, Arthur Sowter 3, J Harding Con: Dick Smith 3 Try: F Herring 2, R Purdy Con: Steve Watene 3 Pen: Steve Watene Referee: H Carroll Round 6 11 June Devonport 7–3 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: H Simpson Con: Alan Seagar Pen: Alan Seagar Try: Shera Referee: Les Bull 11 June Marist 21–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: J Iveson, Pat Meehan, Hec Brisbane, McDonald, Dunne Con: Pat Meehan, Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke Try: Ray Lawless, C Reynolds, Harry Johns Con: Marshall Pen: Marshall Referee: P Rogers 11 June City 13–13 Newton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: F Herring, Ben Davidson, Simms Con: Steve Watene Pen: Steve Watene Try: Pope, Crooks 2 Con: A Porteous 2 Referee: H Carroll Round 7 In the Ponsonby match with Newton, Stevens was ordered off for Ponsonby after questioning the referee’s decisions. He had been warned for doing this 3 times already. 18 June Ponsonby 7–5 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: George Mills Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Allen Con: A Porteous Referee: Wilfred Simpson 18 June City 13–13 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Stan Clark 2, George Perry Con: Steve Watene Drop: Ben Davidson Try: Alan Clarke 2, Campbell Con: Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke Referee: F Thompson 18 June Devonport 13–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Dick Smith 2, H Simpson Con: Dick Smith, Allan Seagar Try: Harry Johns Con: Marshall Referee: Vic Simpson Round 8 25 June Ponsonby 26–21 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Fleming, Thompson, Oram, L Riley, C Thompson, George Mills Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Try: Wilf Hassan, Alan Clarke, McDonald 2, Claude List Con: Alan Clarke 3 Referee: Vic Simpson 25 June Devonport 18–17 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: R Leatherbarrow 2, O’Donnell, Albert Laing Con: Allan Seagar 2 Pen: Dick Smith Try: Patterson, Brimble, R Pope Con: A Porteous, Claude Dempsey Pen: A Porteous Referee: C McCall 25 June City 14–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   1:30 Try: R Purdy, F Herring Con: Steve Watene 2 Pen: Steve Watene 2 Try: Davis, Bill Telford Con: Marshall 2 Referee: F Thompson Round 9 In Round 9 it was decided to play the reserve and senior matches between Ponsonby and City at the Northcote municipal ground at Stafford Park to help raise funds for the Northcote relief fund as the depression was in full swing by this time. A sum of nearly £7 was raised for the Northcote Relief Committee as a result of the collection taken up at the match. 2 July Devonport 7–5 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Jones Con: Dick Smith Pen: Dick Smith Try: Pat Meehan Pen: Alan Clarke Referee: P Rogers 2 July Richmond 13–6 Newton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: R Jenkinson 2, Ray Lawless Con: Marshall Try: Brimble, A Pope Referee: B Emirali 2 July City 32–18 Ponsonby Stafford Park, Northcote   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, F Herring, J Herring, George Perry, R Purdy 3, William McLaughlin Con: Steve Watene 2, Tim Peckham 2 Try: L Riley, Frank Delgrosso, Roy Bright, H Lunn Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Referee: H Carroll Round 10 The Round 10 matches were originally postponed on July 9 due to heavy rain in the lead up. This created scheduling issues with the need to select an Auckland team and New Zealand team to play against the touring England side in addition to finding opponents to play the victorious Northern Union Cup winners. Ultimately the final round was not able to be played until August 13. 13 August City 19–13 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Atkins, William McLaughlin, R Purdy Con: Maher 3 Pen: Maher 2 Try: Arthur Sowter, S Casey, H Simpson Pen: Allan Seagar 2 Referee: F Thompson 13 August Ponsonby 20–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: L Riley, A McIntyre, Fleming, George Mills Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: Stan Prentice, Bill Telford, Horatio Drew Pen: Ellis Referee: Les Bull 13 August Marist 10–6 Newton Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Jim Laird, Len Schultz Con: Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke Try: Middleton, E St George Referee: B Emirali Roope Rooster knockout competition In the Round 1 match between Ponsonby and Newton three players were ordered off in the second half, two from Ponsonby (Lunn and Stevens) one from Newton (Neville St George). Round 1 27 August City 21–14 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Pearce, Horatio Drew, William McLaughlin 2, George Perry Con: Steve Watene 2 Pen: Steve Watene Try: Harry Johns 2, Bert Cooke 2 Con: Ellis Referee: Vic Simpson 27 August Ponsonby 36–10 Newton Carlaw Park 2   1:30 Try: Frank Delgrosso, George Gardiner 2, George Mills 2, D McLeay, H Lunn, Victor Fagan Con: Frank Delgrosso 5 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Try: A Pope, Emanuel Con: Claude Dempsey Pen: Claude Dempsey Referee: H Carroll Semi finals W Cornthwaite, the Auckland rugby representative switched codes and joined the Marist club, debuting for them in their semi-final match where he scored a try and kicked a goal in a 19–18 win over Devonport. 3 September City 20–17 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: William McLaughlin 2, Horatio Drew, Ben Davidson, R Purdy, Unknown x 1 Con: Steve Watene Try: H Lunn, D McLeay 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: F Thompson 3 September Marist 19–18 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List, Dunne, J Iveson, Campbell, W Cornthwaite Con: Alan Clarke Pen: W Cornthwaite Try: Smith 2, Scott, C Rhodes Con: Smith, Allan Seagar Pen: Smith Referee: P Rogers Final 10 September Marist 28–8 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Flanagan, Alan Clarke, Dunne, Claude List 4, Norm Campbell Con: Alan Clarke, Norm Campbell Try: R Purdy, George Perry Pen: Bill Turei Referee: Les Bull Stormont Shield Albert Laing injured his leg in the first half when he collided with Schultz and had to leave the field. Devonport United led the Stormont Shield match until about 5 minutes from time when Marist Old Boys scored the go ahead try in the corner. A large number of spectators had encroached on the field and Devonport argued that the match should be replayed but this was refused. Arguments were put forward about what could be done to keep spectators from the field as it was a recurring problem at Carlaw Park, especially with matches on the #2 field where fans would often walk across it after the #1 field match was completed despite the match on #2 still being in progress. 17 September Marist 15–8 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: P Young, Claude List, Herring Con: W Cornthwaite Pen: Alan Clarke Drop: Alan Clarke Try: J Harding, Len Scott Con: Dick Smith Referee: Vic Simpson Thistle Cup final This was the first occasion that the Thistle Cup had been decided by a final. It was a trophy awarded to the team which accrued the most competition points in the second round of the championship. Both City and Devonport finished with 8 competition points (City secured 3 wins and 2 draws to Devonports 4 wins and 1 loss). City had to defeat Devonport in Round 10 of the championship to force this match and they repeated the result in the final by winning 22–19. 24 September City 22–19 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:15 Try: Bill Turei 2, R Purdy, Pearce Con: Bill Turei 4 Pen: Bill Turei 1 Try: Roy Powell, H Simpson, F H Hunt, Arthur Sowter, Allan Seagar Con: Arthur Sowter 2 Referee: Wilfred Simpson Max Jaffe Cup charity match The Max Jaffe Cup was awarded to the team which finished runner up in the championship. As Marist Old Boys and Ponsonby United were tied a playoff was required. 8 October Marist 37–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane, Len Schultz 2, Flanagan, P Young, Claude List 2, Webberley, J Iveson Con: Alan Clarke 2, Claude List 2, Webberley Try: L Riley, Grieve Con: Frank Delgrosso Referee: Les Bull Top Try scorers and point scorers Top try and point scorers for the Fox Memorial and Roope Rooster competitions (the 2 competitions all A Division teams competed in). Frank Delgrosso of Ponsonby was the top point scorer for the 4th time in his career with 74 points. He was regularly in the top 5 point scorers in the first grade competitions and to this point in his career had amassed more than any other player, with 774 points for Ponsonby in all matches. The top try scorers were Claude List of Devonport and R Purdy of City Rovers. Rank Player Team Tries 1 Claude List Marist Old Boys 8 1 R Purdy City Rovers 8 3 H Lunn Ponsonby United 7 3 Pat Meehan Marist Old Boys 7 5 George Mills Ponsonby United 6 5 L Riley Ponsonby United 6 7 Brimble Newton Rangers 6 7 William McLaughlin City Rovers 6 7 Dick Smith Devonport United 6 9 A McIntyre Ponsonby United 5 9 Alan Clarke Marist Old Boys 5 9 Stan Prentice Richmond Rovers 5 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Drop Goal Points 1 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 2 25 9 0 74 2 Alan Clarke Marist Old Boys 5 17 5 0 59 2 Dick Smith Devonport United 6 12 5 0 52 4 Steve Watene City Rovers 0 12 5 0 34 4 Marshall Richmond Rovers 4 8 3 0 34 6 A Porteous Newton Rangers 3 2 7 0 27 7 R Purdy City Rovers 8 0 0 0 24 7 Claude List Marist Old Boys 7 0 0 0 24 9 Pat Meehan Marist Old Boys 7 1 0 0 23 9 Allan Seagar Devonport United 1 5 4 1 23 Senior reserve grade competition Senior reserve grade standings Team Pld W D L F A Pts Richmond Rovers Reserves 10 8 0 2 69 44 16 Ponsonby United Reserves 10 7 1 2 77 26 15 Marist Old Boys Reserves 10 5 1 3 96 39 11 Devonport United Reserves 10 4 1 4 90 65 9 City Rovers Reserves 10 1 1 7 34 119 3 Newton Rangers Reserves 10 1 0 8 45 118 2 Senior reserve grade fixtures Round 10 was postponed due to heavy rain prior to and on the day of the matches. The Round 10 match between Ponsonby Reserves and Richmond Reserves decided the title. Richmond won 8 to 3 in a match which later caused major controversy as several Ponsonby players played in the match and then belatedly made their way to Carlaw Park to play for the senior side. This meant that the senior match was 20 minutes late kicking off and the players involved were suspended by their club. The coach, Mr. F. C. White later took responsibility for the decision. The reserve grade team met and made a lengthy statement about their situation and actions. They felt that they had been treated unjustly and were upset with the management of the Ponsonby club during the season. Ponsonby decided to disqualify the reserve grade coach, Mr. F. C. White from his position as coach and as club vice-president for his role in the saga. The situation dragged on for several weeks with Auckland Rugby League seeking explanations from the Ponsonby club as the players in particular pleaded their case and the sanctions were largely applied by the club rather than the league. As reporting of the reserve grade was usually limited to just the results there were weeks where results were missing altogether. The Round 5 results were not reported, and the Round 9 match between Newton and Richmond was not reported though Richmond were the winners. They were also the winners of the Round 5 match over Devonport which was crucial in enabling them to win the championship. 1932 Senior reserve results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 30 Apr Ponsonby 6 Devonport 0 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm – 30 Apr City 8 Newton 7 Auckland Domain # 2, 2pm – 30 Apr Richmond 5 Marist 0 Carlaw Park # 2, 2pm Round 2 14 May Richmond 3 Devonport 2 Auckland Domain # 2, 1:30pm – 14 May Marist 20 City 0 Auckland Domain # 3, 3pm – 14 May Ponsonby 36 Newton 6 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm Round 3 21 May Ponsonby 3 Marist 2 Auckland Domain # 2, 1:30pm – 21 May Richmond 18 City 2 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 21 May Devonport 20 Newton 3 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm Round 4 28 May Marist 15 Devonport 5 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 28 May Richmond 6 Newton 3 Auckland Domain, 1:30pm – 28 May Ponsonby 10 City 2 Auckland Domain, 3pm Round 5 4 June Newton ? Marist ? Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 4 June Ponsonby L Richmond W Carlaw Park #1, 1:30pm – 4 June Devonport ? City ? Devonport, 1:30pm Round 6 11 June Ponsonby 3 Devonport 2 Auckland Domain #2, 1:30pm – 11 June Marist 18 Richmond 11 Carlaw Park #2, 1:30pm – 11 June Newton 11 City 3 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm 1:30pm Round 7 18 June Marist 19 City 3 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 18 June Ponsonby 6 Newton 0 Auckland Domain # 1, 1:30pm – 18 June Devonport 9 Richmond 5 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm Round 8 25 June Ponsonby 2 Marist 0 Auckland Domain # 2, 1:30pm – 25 June Devonport 27 Newton 15 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 25 June Richmond 13 City 5 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm Round 9 2 July Devonport 10 Marist 10 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm – 2 July Richmond W Newton L Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm – 2 July City 6 Ponsonby 6 Stafford Park, Northcote, 2pm Round 10 13 Aug Devonport 15 City 5 Auckland Domain # 1, 1:45pm – 13 Aug Richmond 8 Ponsonby 5 Auckland Domain # 1, 1:30pm – 13 Aug Marist 12 Newton 0 Ellerslie 2pm Stallard Cup knockout competition 1932 Stallard Cup results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 27 Aug Richmond 18 City 11 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm – 27 Aug Newton 14 Ponsonby 8 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm Semi Final 2 Sep Devonport 24 Newton 9 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:30pm Semi Final 2 Sep Marist 13 Devonport 5 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm Final 9 Sep Marist 12 Devonport 6 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:30pm Other club matches and lower grades Lower grade clubs The Davis Shield awarded to the club with the most competition points in lower grades was again awarded to Richmond. Since it had been awarded for the first time in 1921 they had won it every single year except for 1924 when City Rovers won it and 1931 when Marist Old Boys won it. Papakura won the Wright Shield for taking out the Second Grade, Ponsonby won the Third Grade Open and were awarded the Hayward Shield, Northcote’s Third Intermediate team won the Walker Cup, Point Chevalier won the Fourth Grade Hospital Cup, City Rovers won the Fifth Grade Endean Shield, Richmond won the Sixth Grade Banner and the Seventh Grade Myers Cup. The Myers Cup was the trophy originally awarded to the winners of the Senior Championship in its formative years. Knockout Trophies went to: Mangere (Second Grade), Richmond (Third Open), Marist (Third Intermediate), Akarana (Fourth Grade), Newton (Fifth Grade), and Richmond (Sixth and Seventh Grades). The Davis Shield for junior points went to Richmond with Marist in second place. This was the third year in a row that these two clubs finished in the top two positions. Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade: Devonport, Ellerslie, Mangere, Mount Albert, Northcote, Otahuhu, Papakura, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby (Won by Papakura who defeated Otahuhu in an extra match to decide the title by 5 points to 2, while Mangere beat Mount Albert 18–15 in the knockout final, this match was played at Onehunga and used to raise funds for the newly reformed Manukau Rugby League team. Third Grade Open: Akarana, Glenora, Marist, Mount Albert, Papakura, Ponsonby, Richmond (Won by Ponsonby with Richmond runnersup). Third Grade Intermediate: Akarana, City, Devonport, Marist, Mount Albert, Northcote, Richmond (Won by Northcote with City runnersup) Fourth Grade: Akarana, Marist, Newton, Otahuhu, Papakura, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby, Richmond (Won by Point Chevalier with Akarana runnersup, the knockout cup was won by Akarana who defeated Papakura). Fifth Grade: Akarana, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Marist A, Marist B, Newton, Northcote A, Northcote B, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Point Chevalier, Richmond (Knockout final won by Newton 3–0 over Northcote). Sixth Grade: City, Mangere, Northcote, Point Chevalier, Richmond A, Richmond B (Won by Richmond A with City runnersup, Richmond A also won the knockout cup). Seventh Grade: Devonport, Ellerslie, Mangere, Richmond A, Richmond B (Won by Richmond A who were ten points clear of Devonport and had amassed 333 points without having their line crossed. Schoolboy Grade with competition points in brackets of the top 3 teams: Avondale, City, Devonport (19), Ellerslie (29), Newton (27), Northcote, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Richmond (Won by Ellerslie who beat Newton in the final 3–0). Other notable matches Auckland City Mission fundraiser Prior to the start of the season a carnival was held to raise money for the Auckland City Mission. The day included "wood chopping, whippett racing, and popular haka by a Maori group..." Marist and Ponsonby played matches with both their senior and senior reserve sides. 23 April Marist 5–3 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:30 Try: Phil Brady Pen: Alan Clarke Try: Thompson Devonport v Ponsonby in New Plymouth On 9 September Ponsonby and Devonport played an exhibition match at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth where plans were underway to form a league competition. A large crowd attended and saw a fast paced match which ended in a 28 all draw. The Ponsonby team featured Richmond Rovers player and former All Black, Bert Cooke who had recently switched codes. 9 September Devonport 28–28 Ponsonby XIII Pukekura Park, New Plymouth   3:00 Try: Arthur Sowter, Len Scott, E Scott, S Casey, L Riley, Unknown x 1 Con: Dick Smith, Albert Laing, Unknown x 1 Pen: Albert Laing 2 Try: Fleming, George Gardiner, Bert Cooke 2, J Harding, Unknown x 1 Con: Frank Delgrosso 3, Unknown x 1 Pen: Bert Cooke Attendance: 5,000 W Hanlon benefit match On 17 October a charity match was played between Marist and a combined Auckland club team to raise funds for the former Richmond player W Hanlon to help raise funds for him to return with his family from England. 17 October Marist 27–16 Auckland XIII Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Schultz 2, Wilf Hassan 3, Claude List 2 Con: Pat Meehan 2, Wilf Hassan Try: R Leatherbarrow, Crooks, H Lunn 2 Con: Oliff 2 Referee: A E Chapman Other matches Date Score Score Venue Auckland City Mission fundraising match 23 Apr Ponsonby Reserves 7 Marist Reserves 5 Carlaw Park # 1, 2:30pm Exhibition match 17 Sep Taupiri 12 City Reserves 17 Taupiri Exhibition match 25 Sep Hamilton 10 Richmond 28 Hinemoa Park, Hamilton, 3pm Exhibition match 25 Sep Kaikohe 16 Mount Albert 19 Kaikohe Exhibition match 3 Oct Taranaki 25 Marist 17 New Plymouth Exhibition match 10 Oct Hikurangi-Waro 5 Newton 18 Hikurangi Representative fixtures The first representative match of 1932 was between an Auckland XIII and South Auckland as part of the selection process for the upcoming England tour. Lord Bledisoe was in attendance at the match, this was the second time he had attended a Rugby League match at Carlaw Park. Auckland v South Auckland (Waikato) 16 July Auckland XIII 29–13 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List 3, Len Scott, Bert Cooke, Trevor Hall 2 Con: Alan Clarke Try: George Tittleton, Tom Timms 2 Con: K Peckham Pen: George Tittleton Referee: Vic Simpson Probables v Possibles trial match 16 July Probables 26–12 Possibles Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Crooks, Albert Laing, Dick Smith, Tim Peckham, Telford, D McLeay Con: Albert Laing 2, Tim Peckham 2 Try: Pat Meehan, Hobbs Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: Maurice Wetherill Inter-Island match Jim Amos left the field with an injured shoulder for the South Island team and was replaced by E O'Brien. 23 July North Island 27–18 South Island Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott 3, Bert Cooke 3, Claude List Con: Albert Laing 3 Try: J Devonport, E Hamberger Con: Jonas Masters, Jim Amos Pen: Jonas Masters 2, Jim Amos Drop: E Hamberger Attendance: 15,000 Referee: P Rogers Probables v Possibles trial match 23 July Possibles 37–16 Probables Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, Brimble, Harry Johns, Peckham, Telford, Neville St George, D McLeay Con: Steve Watene 7 Pen: Steve Watene Try: A Pope, Dick Smith, Alan Clarke, R Leatherbarrow Con: Dick Smith 2 Attendance: 15,000 Referee: B Emirali Auckland v England 6 August Auckland 14–19 England Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, Bert Cooke Con: Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke 2 Try: Alf Ellaby 2, Artie Atkinson, Gus Risman Con: Jim Sullivan Pen: Jim Sullivan Attendance: 15,000 Referee: P Rogers Lower Waikato v Auckland (inter-provincial Sunshine Cup charity match) 2 October Lower Waikato 8–35 Auckland Huntly   3:00 Try: Edwin Abbott, L Knight Pen: K Peckham Try: Steve Watene, L Riley 2, George Mills, Oliff, R Leatherbarrow, Ellis Con: Steve Watene 7 Attendance: 700 England Tour (Carlaw Park tests) Following their tour of Australia where they had a tour record of 15 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, including a 2–1 test series victory the English team toured New Zealand. They arrived on the Niagara ship into Auckland on 25 July and were met on the boat by Mr C.A. Sneddon, the president of the New Zealand Rugby League Council, Mr. W.O. Carlaw, secretary, and Mr. R.W. Pollock, a member of the council. They were then given a civic welcome at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. The team stayed at the Hotel Auckland before travelling to Whangarei for their first tour match. Their programme included 8 tour matches against Northland (Won 56–5), South Auckland (Won 65–11), Auckland (Won 19–14), West Coast (Won 32–8) and North Island XIII (Won 59–8), along with three tests (Won 24–9, 25–14, and 20–18). This meant that they finished their tour with the fine record of 23–1–2. The First and Third tests were played at Carlaw Park as was the match against Auckland. The team trained at Victoria Park, Auckland on the day after their arrival in preparation for their first match of the tour. Date Score Score Venue Attendance First Test 30 July New Zealand 9 England 24 Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm 15,000 Third Test 20 Aug New Zealand 18 England 20 Carlaw Park # 1, 3pm 12,000 Auckland representative matches played and scorers No Name Club Team Play Tries Con Pen Drop Goal Points 1 Steve Watene City Rovers 1 1 7 0 0 17 2 Alan Clarke Marist Old Boys 2 0 5 2 0 14 3 Claude List Marist Old Boys 2 3 0 0 0 9 4 Bert Cooke Richmond Rovers 2 2 0 0 0 6 4 Trevor Hall Newton Rangers 2 2 0 0 0 6 4 L Riley Ponsonby United 1 2 0 0 0 6 7 Ben Davidson City Rovers 2 1 0 0 0 3 7 Len Scott Devonport United 1 1 0 0 0 3 7 George Mills Ponsonby United 1 1 0 0 0 3 7 Oliff Devonport United 1 1 0 0 0 3 7 R Leatherbarrow Devonport United 1 1 0 0 0 3 7 Ellis Richmond Rovers 1 1 0 0 0 3 13 Norm Campbell Marist Old Boys 2 0 0 0 1 2 14 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 A McIntyre Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Lou Hutt Ponsonby United 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 Gordon Campbell Marist Old Boys 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 Stan Clark City Rovers 3 0 0 0 0 0 14 Ray Lawless Richmond Rovers 3 0 0 0 0 0 14 Claude Dempsey Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Crooks Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Brimble Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 M Stevens Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 W Telford Richmond Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 D McLeay Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Pat Meehan Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Wilf Hassan Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 0 Annual general meetings and club news Auckland Rugby League put out separate tenders for refreshment booth and advertising rights. The advertising was for fences at Carlaw Park. Their annual meeting was held at the Chamber of Commerce on 30 April. Auckland Rugby League Referees Association held a meeting which was attended by over 40 members with Mr. A. Ball presiding over it. Mr. Wilf Simpson advocated for the appointment of a sole selector to grade referees. After some discussion over whether one was enough given the size of the association his recommendation was carried. Their annual meeting was scheduled for 4 April. Their annual meeting saw a record attendance of 53 and it was stated that there had such an increase in members that it would be necessary to limit membership in the future. Mr. A. Ball was elected president. The Referees Association refused to appoint line umpires for the third test between England and New Zealand at Carlaw Park. Their reason for this was to register their disapproval through the Auckland Rugby League to the New Zealand Rugby League Council because the English managers had overlooked their referees to rule over the test match. Instead they had used a referee for the 2nd and 3rd tests who they had not submitted. They felt that visiting team managers should accept the recommended referees. Akarana Rugby League Football Club held their general meeting at Carlaw Park on Sunday 17 April. City Rovers held their annual meeting at Carlaw Park on Sunday, 27 March. The report referred to a club record number of teams in all competitions of eight. Mr. C. Waugh was elected president. Devonport United Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting at the Labour Rooms above Hellaby’s, Devonport on Wednesday, 23 March. Mr. A.W.D. Meiklejohn was elected patron and they congratulated the schoolboys on winning the Kiely Cup. Ellerslie United League Football Club held practices at the Ellerslie Reserve beginning on Saturday 2 April. Mr. G. Harrison resigned as secretary after ten years in the position. They held an urgent general meeting on 18 April after finding out from the League that they would be excluded from the first grade championship. Ellerslie-Otahuhu United League Football Club held their annual general meeting in the club’s training shed, Ellerslie on Monday, 21 March. Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club held their annual meeting at Donovan’s Gymnasium, Parnell on Wednesday, 30 March. Mangere United Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting in St. James’ Hall, Mangere Bridge on Wednesday, 23 March. Mt. Albert United Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting at King George Hall, Mt Albert on Wednesday, 16 March. The meeting was presided over by Mr. R. Wilson and Mr. B. Brigham was elected patron. Practice was to begin the following Saturday on the club’s ground at Springleigh Avenue. Mt Wellington Rugby League Football Club were renamed Otahuhu Rugby League Club. Newton Rangers Football Club held their annual meeting on Monday, 14 March at the Y.M.C.A. It was presided over by Mr. Bradley with a large attendance of members. Mr. W. Monteith was elected patron. Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers League Football Club held their annual meeting on Monday, 7 March at Victoria Hall, Birkenhead. More than 50 people attended the meeting with Mr. D. Wilkie presiding. The report stated that the club recorded a £30 profit. An engraved wristlet watch was presented to Mr. W.J. Dean for his service to the club as secretary and treasurer for the past three years. They planned on entering five junior teams along with a schoolboy thirteen. The club also decided to tell the Northcote Borough Council that they would be prepared to contribute to the cost of an addition to the dressing shed at the Northcote Municipal football ground. Practices were held at McKinstry’s Paddock, Roseberry Avenue. The Northcote High School board allowed use of its rugby field on alternate Saturdays to the Ramblers. On the other Saturdays the Northcote and Birkenhead Rugby Union Football Club would use it. Otahuhu Rugby League Football Club had ceased to operate following the forced merger with Ellerslie but the Mount Wellington club had requested from Auckland Rugby League that they be renamed Otahuhu and the request was granted. Papakura Rugby League Football Club held their annual meeting on 22 March. Mr. E. C. Foote was elected patron and it was decided to make him a presentation in recognition of his service to the club. At a meeting of the Papakura Town Board the Rugby League club were granted use of the Railway Reserve on the same terms as the 1931 season. The club held a dance in the Star Theatre on Monday 18 April. Mr. and Mrs. G. Rogers won the Monte Carlo, and Mr. Alec Beams won the cake competition. It was decided to run a fortnightly dance during the season as this one was such a success. Point Chevalier League Football Club annual meeting was held at the Sailing Club’s Hall on Wednesday 16 March. Ponsonby United Football Club annual meeting was held at Leys Institute on Monday, 14 March. The decided to change from the one selector system to a three selector system with F. White, S. Lowry, and N.D. Culpan chosen to pick the sides. Mr. A. H. McKeown was elected patron. Practises began on Sunday 2 April with players instructed to meet at Three Lamps, Ponsonby. Richmond Rovers Football Club annual meeting was held on Friday, 4 March at the Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent.

External links

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site