1920 Auckland Rugby League season

April 2020 thumb|Auckland RL management committee.The Auckland Rugby League was in its 12th season. On 25 March, North Shore Albions held a meeting to discuss whether they should amalgamate with Sunnyside League Football Club, who were also based in Devonport and had been in existence since 1914. The following week both clubs agreed to merge. After some debate they decided their club name would be 'Devonport United' and they would wear green and white broad bands.Two Clubs Amalgamate 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17436 1920-03-05 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200405.2.100 2019-08-10 In addition Grafton and Richmond Rovers amalgamated, while new clubs were also formed in Kingsland (Kingsland Rovers), and at Point Chevalier.The Auckland League 8 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17447 1920-03-17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200417.2.80.1 2019-08-10 First grade games continued to regularly draw large crowds, especially matches involving the likes of Maritime, City Rovers, and Ponsonby United. The round 6 match between Maritime and Ponsonby drew what was thought to be a record crowd for a club match in Auckland of 9,000.Maritime Again Victorious/Defeats Ponsonby in Hard Forward Play 7 Auckland Star LI 141 1920-06-14 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200614.2.93 2019-08-10 Maritime would go on to win the first grade title for the first time after a strong season where they won nine games and were only defeated twice. They were awarded the Monteith Shield at the 1921 annual general meeting while Newton Rangers won the Roope Rooster for the second year in a row by defeating Maritime in the final. The highlight of the year was the match between Auckland and the touring England team on 24 July. A crowd of 30,000 packed into the Auckland Domain to witness an Auckland win by 24 points to 16.English Team Beaten/Opening Match of Tour/Auckland Scores 24-16/Good Display By Forwards/Visitors Play One Man Short 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17532 1920-07-26 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200726.2.79 2019-08-10 1919 12th Auckland Rugby League season 1920 1921 Club news Club teams by grade participation The Grafton and Richmond clubs fielded combined teams in the 4th, 5th (2), and 6th grades hence the 'half numbers'. Team1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade6th GradeTotalDevonport United1211117Ponsonby United1101115City Rovers1101115Maritime1101115Grafton Athletic100.51.53 (5)Richmond Rovers000.51.52 (4)Newton Rangers1110003Manukau Rovers0010113Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers0001102Marist Old Boys1100002Kingsland Rovers0011002Otahuhu Rovers0001102Māngere Rangers0100001Thames Old Boys0100001Point Chevalier0010001Total79589644 Carlaw Park site found At the end of the season an inspection was made of the site where Carlaw Park would emerge. It was decided that the ground would be named ‘Carlaw Athletic Park’. The land had been purchased years earlier. It was noted that the site was “excellently situated for the purpose for which it is intended, and provides sufficient space for two playing grounds. Natural slopes on two sides will give room for a large number of spectators...”.Carlaw Park Inspected 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17592 1920-10-04 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19201004.2.88.1 2019-08-10 Monteith Shield (first grade championship) Maritime won the first grade title with City Rovers finishing in second position. Three grounds were used for the competition, Victoria Park, the Auckland Domain, and the Devonport Domain. Thirty eight matches were played which was the most in the competitions history to this point. Unlike in previous seasons all clubs were able to survive until the end of the season and fulfill the majority, or all, of their fixture obligations. Statistics Including the knockout games there were 43 first grade games played with 249 tries, 114 conversions, 43 penalties, 4 drop goals, and 3 goals from a mark. The average number of points per game was 25, an increase of 3 points from the previous season. There were 5.8 tries per game, compared to 5.35 the previous season. With 114 conversions from 249 attempts the successful percentage was only 45.8. Monteith Shield standings TeamPldWDLFAPtsMaritime119021689318City Rovers1280427013116Marist Old Boys117*131027915Newton Rangers1161413313213Devonport United124*269815110Ponsonby United112271251606Grafton Athletic111010**782282 (*) Two of Grafton's defeats were by default, while one of Marist's wins and one of Devonport's wins were by default. Monteith Shield fixtures Round 1 thumb|Wally Somers Wally Somers scored for Newton in their win over Grafton. The Marist club took the field in their familiar green colour after having played their first senior season in 1919 season wearing blue jerseys. 1 May 3:00 Ponsonby 21–14 Opening of the Season/Ponsonby 21, Marist 14 7 Auckland Star LI 105 1920-04-03 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200503.2.63 2019-08-10 Marist Bill Walsh, Sam Lowrie, Laurie Cadman, W Henderson, Eric McGregor A Cross A Cross 2 C Clarke, Sheehan, Arthur Eustace, James (Sonny) Hing Billy Ghent Auckland Domain J Eddowes 1 May 3:00 Newton 30–15 Opening of the Season/Newton Beats Grafton 7 Auckland Star LI 105 1920-04-03 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200503.2.63 2019-08-10 Grafton E Adams, Wally Somers 3, Arthur James 2 Craddock Dufty 6 Anderson, Karl Ifwersen, C Owen Karl Ifwersen 3 Victoria Park William Mincham 1 May 3:00 Devonport 10–32 Opening of the Season/City’s Big Win 7 Auckland Star LI 105 1920-04-03 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200503.2.63 2019-08-10 City Penalty Try, George Seagar G Stewart G Stewart Bill Davidson 3, Maurice Wetherill, George Paki 2, Robert Clark, Harry Wynn, Ivan Stewart, Unknown x 1 George Reid Devonport Domain Len Farrant Round 2 The draw by Marist saw them accrue their first ever first grade championship point after going through the 1919 season win-less in the same competition. Future New Zealand prop Jim O'Brien played at fullback in his first grade debut for Maritime. He moved into the forwards in the following weeks and the following season transferred to Devonport United where he was from. 8 May 3:00 City 18–16 Three Senior Games 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17466 1920-05-10 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200510.2.96.1 2019-08-10 Ponsonby Ivan Stewart, Bill Davidson, J Mitchell, George Paki Bill Davidson 2 Bill Davidson Bill Walsh 2, Eric McGregor, Dougie McGregor Thomas McClymont Thomas McClymont Auckland Domain 1 5,500 Archie Ferguson 8 May 3:00 Maritime 25–0 Three Senior Games 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17466 1920-05-10 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200510.2.96.1 2019-08-10 Grafton John McGregor, Ernie Herring 2, Arthur Sutton, Bill Arndt, Bert Avery, Jim O'Brien Arthur Sutton, Tierney Auckland Domain 2 5,500 Frank Thompson 8 May 3:00 Newton 5–5 Three Senior Games 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17466 1920-05-10 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200510.2.96.1 2019-08-10 Marist Bill Cloke Craddock Dufty Norm Loveridge Neville St George Victoria Park 2 A Ripley Round 3 A Godick of Devonport in attempting to stop a try struck his head on the goal post and was knocked unconscious and taken from the field. 15 May 3:00 City 16–3 City Defeats Newton/Ponsonby and Devonport Draw/Maritime 16, Marist 11/City V Newton/Maritime V Marist Brothers/Ponsonby V Devonport 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17472 1920-05-17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200517.2.85.2 2019-08-21 Newton George Reid 2, Bob Clarke, Bert Laing Bill Davidson, Maurice Wetherill Nelson Bass Auckland Domain 1 3,500 J Ball 15 May 3:00 Maritime 16–11 /Maritime 16, Marist 11/Maritime V Marist Brothers 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17472 1920-05-17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200517.2.85.2 2019-08-21 Marist Arthur Sutton 2, Eric Grey 2 Arthur Sutton Arthur Sutton Roly Tate, Sid McNamara, Unknown x 1 Bill Stormont Victoria Park 1 2,500 Billy Murray 15 May 3:00 Devonport 17–17 Ponsonby and Devonport Draw/Ponsonby V Devonport 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17472 1920-05-17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200517.2.85.2 2019-08-21 Ponsonby Keith Helander, Cyril Nicholson 2 Arthur Matthews 3 Arthur Matthews Arthur Pooley, A Halliday, Dougie McGregor, Frank Delgrosso, Laurie Cadman A Cross Devonport Domain Clow Round 4 Marist recorded their first ever victory in the first grade championship with Bill Stormont scoring one of their three tries. 22 May 3:00 Maritime 8–6 City’s First Set-Back/Maritime V City 7 Auckland Star LI 1920-05-22 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200524.2.72 2019-08-10 City Bert Avery, Eric Grey John Lang Bill Davidson 3 Auckland Domain 5,500 A Ball 22 May 3:00 Marist 15–3 13-Point Margin for Marist/Grafton V Marist Old Boys 7 Auckland Star LI 1920-05-22 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200524.2.72 2019-08-10 Grafton Bill Stormont, Billy Ghent, Unknown x 1 Billy Ghent, Arthur Eustace, Unknown x 1 Horace Neal Victoria Park Clayton 22 May 3:00 Newton 15–5 Newton Defeats Devonport/Devonport United V Newton 7 Auckland Star LI 1920-05-22 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200524.2.72 2019-08-10 Devonport Jack Keenan, Ronald Lovett, Albert Ivil Craddock Dufty 2 Craddock Dufty Cyril Nicholson G Stewart Devonport Domain Eddowes Round 5 The match between City and Grafton had the score reported by both the Auckland Star and the New Zealand Herald but had no match report and scoring. The Observer had a brief description of the match where they described one of Karl Ifwersen's "tries" indicating he scored at least 2. 29 May 3:00 Newton 12–11 Ponsonby Goes Down/Newton Wins by a Point 10 Auckland Star LI 129 1920-05-31 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200531.2.124 2019-08-10 Ponsonby Nelson Bass, Wally Somers Craddock Dufty Craddock Dufty 2 Eric McGregor 2, Thomas McClymont A Cross Auckland Domain 1 5000 A Ferguson 29 May 3:00 City 24–17 Ponsonby Goes Down 10 Auckland Star LI 129 1920-05-31 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200531.2.124 2019-08-10 Grafton Unknown 24 pts Karl Ifwersen 2, Unknown 11 pts Auckland Domain 2 5,000 29 May 3:00 Maritime 17–3 Maritime’s Comfortable Win 10 Auckland Star LI 129 1920-05-31 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200531.2.124 2019-08-10 Devonport Bert Avery, John McGregor 4 Arthur Sutton George Seagar Victoria Park Len Farrant Round 6 thumb|Karl IfwersenArthur Cadman was sent off in the Maritime match versus Ponsonby for kicking a Maritime player, while the Auckland Star suggested in their match reports that the 9,000 in attendance was possibly the largest ever Auckland Club Rugby League crowd to attend a match to this point. Two weeks later the Auckland Star reported that a player sent off in the match was suspended for two weeks for using bad language towards an official. In the City v Marist match two City players and one Marist player were ordered off in the first half. Grafton defaulted their match against Devonport as Joe Bennett was injured, Karl Ifwersen was sick, Horace Neal had a "broken shoulder", and Owen, Moir, and Norton were out of town. 12 June 3:00 Maritime 11–8 Maritime Again Victorious/Defeats Ponsonby in Hard Forward Play 7 Auckland Star LI 141 1920-06-14 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200614.2.93 2019-08-10 Ponsonby Harry Grey, John McGregor, Bert McGregor Eric Grey Thomas McClymont, Eric McGregor A Cross Auckland Domain 1 9,000 J Eddowes 12 June 3:00 Marist 19–5 Marist Catches City Napping and Easily Beats Them 7 Auckland Star LI 141 1920-06-14 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200614.2.93 2019-08-10 City Billy Ghent 2, Arthur Eustace, Sid McNamara, Bill Stormont Unknown x 2 Bill Davidson Bill Davidson Auckland Domain 2 9,000 Vause 12 June 3:00 Devonport WBD-LBD Grafton Defaults 7 Auckland Star LI 141 1920-06-14 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200614.2.93 2019-08-10 Grafton Devonport Domain 1 Jim Rukutai Round 7 2 Players were ordered off in the 2nd half of the Maritime versus Newton match. While in the Grafton v Ponsonby match Grafton had two players ordered off including Horace Neal, and had another injured meaning they finished the match with just 10 players on the field. Both ordered off players were suspended for two weeks. 26 June 3:00 Maritime 14–7 Maritime Still Unbeaten/Maritime V Newton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17508 1920-06-28 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200628.2.107.1 2019-08-10 Newton Eric Grey 3, John Lang Arthur Sutton (1 mark) Wally Somers Craddock Dufty 2 Victoria Park 1 7,000 Billy Murray 26 June 3:00 Ponsonby 26–0 Ponsonby Defeats Grafton/Ponsonby V Grafton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17508 1920-06-28 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200628.2.107.1 2019-08-10 Grafton William Southernwood 2, Dougie McGregor, Sam Lowrie, Eric McGregor, W Henderson Eric McGregor, A Cross 3 Auckland Domain 1 Frank Thompson 26 June 3:00 Devonport 8–3 Devonport 8, Marist 3/Devonport V Marist 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17508 1920-06-28 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200628.2.107.1 2019-08-10 Marist Alex Godick, Cyril Nicholson Arthur Matthews Arthur Eustace Devonport Domain Clayton Round 8 3 July 3:00 Marist 8–4 Marist Defeats Ponsonby/Marist V Ponsonby 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17514 1920-07-05 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200705.2.105.1 2019-08-10 Ponsonby Bill Stormont, Unknown x 1 White A Cross 2 Auckland Domain 2 5,000 Walter Ripley 3 July 3:00 Newton 24–15 Newton Wins from Grafton/Newton V Grafton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17514 1920-07-05 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200705.2.105.1 2019-08-10 Grafton Thomas Virtue, Charles James, S Delaney 2, Unknown x 2 Clarrie Polson, Unknown x 2 Charles Woolley, Yates, McGinley Charles Woolley 3 Auckland Domain 3 5,000 J Clow 3 July 3:00 City 19–5 City 19, Devonport 5/City V Devonport 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17514 1920-07-05 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200705.2.105.1 2019-08-10 Devonport Bill Davidson 2, Maurice Wetherill, George Paki, Miller Bill Davidson, Maurice Wetherill Alex Godick George Seagar Victoria Park 3,500 Archie Ferguson Round 9 Massa Johnston (William Johnston) played for Grafton in their 10-5 win over Maritime. The following week the Maritime club protested his playing for them. Johnston had returned from the war and returned to Dundedin, however as there was no rugby league played in the area at the time he moved to Auckland and joined the Grafton club. The Auckland Rugby League held over their decision and after further discussion decided that the match result should stand. Johnston was 39 years old and had played rugby union for Otago, the South Island and New Zealand before switching to rugby league and playing for Wigan and Warrington in England from 1908 to 1912. At some point after he transferred to Coventry but that club went out of existence so he was not tied to any particular club. Remarkably he was playing for the first time in nearly 8 years. 10 July 3:00 City 37–5 City 37, Ponsonby 5 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17520 1920-07-12 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200712.2.105.1 2019-08-21 Ponsonby Ben Davidson, Harry Francis, J Mitchell, George Paki + Unknown 19 pts Bill Davidson 3 Laurie Cadman A Cross Auckland Domain 1 A Ball 10 July 3:00 Marist 9–5 Marist Too Good for Newton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17520 1920-07-12 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200712.2.105.1 2019-08-21 Newton Bill Stormont Bill Stormont Billy Ghent, Bill Stormont Dempsey E Adams Auckland Domain 2 Jim Rukutai 10 July 3:00 Grafton 10–5 Grafton Defeats Maritime 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17520 1920-07-12 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200712.2.105.1 2019-08-21 Maritime F Collins, A McSweeney Joe Bennett Charles Woolley Harry Grey George Yardley Auckland Domain 3 William Mincham Round 10 17 July 3:00 Marist 8–7 Marist Defeat Maritime 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17526 1920-07-19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200719.2.85 2019-08-21 Maritime Norm Loveridge, George Cargill Billy Ghent George Yardley John Lang, Eric Grey Auckland Domain 1 7,000 Billy Murray 17 July 3:00 City 31–10 City’s Runaway Victory 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17526 1920-07-19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200719.2.85 2019-08-21 Newton Bert Laing, Ben Davidson, George Paki, Maurice Wetherill, Bill Davidson, Bob Clarke 2 Maurice Wetherill, Bill Davidson 3 Bert Laing Leonard Newdick, Thomas Biggs Craddock Dufty 2 Auckland Domain 2 7,000 Frank Thompson 17 July 3:00 Ponsonby 7–7 Ponsonby and Devonport Draw 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17526 1920-07-19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200719.2.85 2019-08-21 Devonport Bill Walsh Thomas McClymont Thomas McClymont Alex Godick Arthur Matthews 2 Auckland Domain 3 7,000 Len Farrant Round 11 The City v Grafton match resulted in a 66–13 win to City but the Auckland Star and New Zealand Herald did not report any of the scoring details. Grafton were missing Karl Ifwersen, Joe Bennett, and Charles Woolley who were on representative duty and could only field 11 players. 7 August 3:00 City 66–13 Under League Rules/City’s Easy Victory 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17544 1920-08-09 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200809.2.95 2019-08-10 Grafton Unknown x 16 Unknown x 9 Unknown x 3 Unknown x 2 Victoria Park 1 T Hill 7 August 3:00 Newton 10–0 Under League Rules/Newton 10 Points, Ponsonby 0 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17544 1920-08-09 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200809.2.95 2019-08-10 Ponsonby Bill Cloke, Ballyntyne Craddock Dufty Craddock Dufty Victoria Park 2 J Clow 7 August 3:00 Maritime 24–19 Under League Rules/Maritime Defeats Devonport 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17544 1920-08-09 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200809.2.95 2019-08-10 Devonport J Brien 2, Bert McGregor, John Lang, Harry Grey, Unknown x 1 Arthur Sutton, John Lang Vivian Hogg (1 mark) Cyril Nicholson 2, Unknown x 1 G Stewart 2, Unknown x 1 G Stewart, Unknown x 1 Victoria Park 3 Walter Ripley Round 12 14 August 3:00 Maritime 15–11 First Grade Championship/Maritime Establish A Lead/Maritime V City 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17550 1920-08-16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200816.2.86.1 2019-08-10 City John McGregor 2, Jim O'Brien John Lang 2 John Lang (1 mark) George Paki 2, W Green Bill Davidson Auckland Domain 1 7000 Archie Ferguson 14 August 3:00 Newton 12–11 First Grade Championship/Newton V Devonport 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17550 1920-08-16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200816.2.86.1 2019-08-10 Devonport Craddock Dufty, Thomas Virtue Craddock Dufty Craddock Dufty, W Knox Cyril Nicholson 2, B Voss G Stewart Auckland Domain 2 7,000 Frank Thompson 14 August 3:00 Marist WBD-LBD First Grade Championship 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17550 1920-08-16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200816.2.86.1 2019-08-10 Grafton Auckland Domain 3 William Mincham Round 13 21 August 3:00 Marist 10–5 Marist Old Boys Defeat City/Marist Old Boys V City 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17556 1920-08-23 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200823.2.95.3 2019-08-21 City Arthur Eustace, Sid Fry Billy Ghent 2 George Paki Maurice Wetherill Auckland Domain 1 6,500 Walter Ripley 21 August 3:00 Maritime 26–10 Maritime 26, Ponsonby 10/Maritime V Ponsonby 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17556 1920-08-23 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200823.2.95.3 2019-08-21 Ponsonby Harry Grey, Eric Grey 3, Bert Avery, Ernie Herring, Vivian Hogg Eric Grey George Mormon 2 A Cross A Cross Auckland Domain 2 6,500 Len Farrant 21 August 3:00 Devonport 13–5 Devonport V Grafton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17556 1920-08-23 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200823.2.95.3 2019-08-21 Grafton Webb, H Mann, Rundle, C Nelson G Stewart E Elliot Brady Auckland Domain 3 6,500 H Clayton Roope Rooster knockout competition The Roope Rooster began on 28 August with 3 first round matches and Ponsonby United receiving a bye. Newton Rangers defeated Maritime in the final for the second consecutive year. Round 1 City had six of their senior players away and had to field juniors in their place though still beat Grafton 14-3. Grafton played a lot better than they did in their previous meeting when they conceded over 60 points. In this game City only led 3-0 at halftime. At a very muddy Devonport Domain the visiting Newton side knocked out the local team thanks to two converted tries to Ronald Lovett. A player was ordered off in the Maritime v Marist game and suspended for a week though they were not named in the newspapers. 28 August 3:00 City 14–3 Roope Rooster Competition/Wins for Maritime, City and Newton 7 Auckland Star LI 207 1920-08-30 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200830.2.76 2019-08-21 Grafton J Mitchell, W Horne Bill Davidson Bill Davidson 2 Bob Clarke Yates Victoria Park 2 6,000 Frank Thompson 28 August 3:00 Maritime 9–6 Roope Rooster Competition/Wins for Maritime, City and Newton 7 Auckland Star LI 207 1920-08-30 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200830.2.76 2019-08-21 Marist Arthur Sutton Eric Grey Arthur Sutton, Eric Grey Bill Stormont, Arthur Eustace Victoria Park 3 6,000 Archie Ferguson 28 August 3:00 Devonport 7–10 Roope Rooster Competition/Wins for Maritime, City and Newton 7 Auckland Star LI 207 1920-08-30 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200830.2.76 2019-08-21 Newton H Mann G Stewart G Stewart Ronald Lovett 2 Craddock Dufty 2 Devonport Domain 1 A Vause Semi finals Bill Davidson dislocated his collarbone in City's 19-5 loss to Newton. Ponsonby was unable to field the same team that beat Federal the previous Saturday to retained the Thacker Shield and instead fielded a number of junior. 11 September 3:00 Newton 19–5 Roope Rooster Final/Newton Defeat Maritime/Marist 21, Hamilton 14/Newton V Maritime 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17580 1920-09-20 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200920.2.106 2019-08-22 City Bill Cloke, Ronald Lovett, S.B. Delaney, Clarrie Polson, Unknown x 1 Wally Somers Craddock Dufty Maurice Wetherill Bill Davidson Devonport Domain 1 Billy Murray 11 September 3:00 Maritime 11–5 Roope Rooster Semi-Final/Maritime 11, Ponsonby 5/Maritime V Ponsonby 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17574 1920-09-13 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200913.2.105.1 2019-08-22 Ponsonby Harry Grey, Eric Grey, John McGregor John McGregor Tickner Eric McGregor Devonport Domain 2 A Ball Final An enormous crowd of 10,000 packed into Victoria Park to witness Newton winning the Roope Rooster trophy for the second consecutive year. 18 September 3:00 Newton 12–6 Roope Rooster Final/Newton Defeat Maritime/Newton V Maritime 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17580 1920-09-20 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200920.2.106 2019-08-22 Maritime Bill Cloke, S Delaney Craddock Dufty Craddock Dufty 2 Ernie Herring, Bert Avery Victoria Park 1 10,000 Archie Ferguson Top try scorers and point scorers thumb|left|Bill Davidsonthumb|George DavidsonThe following point scoring lists include Senior Championship matches and the Roope Rooster competition matches only. The lists are extremely incomplete for players from the City Rovers club who had no scoring whatsoever for their 24–17 win over Grafton Athletic, and their 66–13 win over the same opponents. In total the City team was missing the scorers of 118 of its points. Likewise Devonport United was missing scorers for 7 points, Newton Rangers for 13, Maritime for 3, Marist Old Boys for 15, and Grafton Athletic for 30 (from the two matches with City). Bill Davidson replicated the feat of his younger brother George of the previous season by leading the point scoring while playing for Maritime. George had qualified for the Antwerp Olympics where he ran 5th in the 200m final and did not play in the Auckland Rugby League competition at all in 1920. He was to return and join his brothers in the City Rovers team from the 1921 season onwards. The games played is approximate only as not all teams published their team lists in the Friday newspapers and changes were often made on match day. Players from teams that did not publish team lists each week have been asterisked and likely played more games. RankPlayerTeamGmTries1Eric GreyMaritime12102George PakiCity11*93=John McGregorMaritime1283=Cyril NicholsonDevonport11*83=Bill DavidsonCity1486Eric McGregorPonsonby1167=Arthur EustaceMarist8*57=Harry GreyMaritime1057=Wally SomersNewton10*57=Bert AveryMaritime1157=Bill StormontMarist8*5 RkPlayerTeamGmTCPMDGPts1Bill DavidsonCity14814600642Craddock DuftyNewton12*116800513Eric GreyMaritime12103101404A CrossPonsonby1209600305George PakiCity11*90000276=John McGregorMaritime1281000266=Arthur SuttonMaritime1344111268Cyril NicholsonDevonport11*80000249Eric McGregorPonsonby11620002210=Bill StormontMarist8*521002110=Billy GhentMarist8*3330021 Thacker Shield thumb|Ponsonby in 1920 with the Thacker Shield.Ponsonby United defended the Thacker Shield from Federal (of Christchurch) at Victoria Park in front of 10,000 spectators. They had won the shield from Sydenham in Christchurch two years earlier. They had been unable to arrange a defence in the 1919 season. Eventually the shield was to be returned to Christchurch and played for amongst teams in the South Island. 4 September 3:00 Ponsonby 29–19 Thacker Shield Match/Trophy Retained by Ponsonby 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17568 1920-09-04 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200906.2.93.1 2019-08-21 Federal (Christchurch) Arthur Pooley, A Cross, Dougie McGregor 2, George Mormon, Jim Clark, Thomas McClymont A Cross 4 L Thackwell, F Kidd, E Cunningham Billy Mitchell 2 Billy Mitchell 3 Victoria Park 10,000 Archie Ferguson Other club matches and lower grades Exhibition and benefit matches 3 July 3:00 Lower Waikato 20-31 Maritime At Ngaruawahia 7 Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 159 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200705.2.108 2024-07-10 Maritime Unknown 20 points John McGregor 2, Eric Grey 3, John Lang 2, Bert Avery 2 Arthur Sutton Victoria Park 1 2,000 10 July 3:00 King Country 0-15 King Country Match 7 New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17520 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200712.2.105.1 2020-10-31 Devonport Stan Walters 2, Alex Godick, Cyril Nicholson, E Chivers Taumarunui 18 September 1:30 Marist 21–14 Marist V. Hamilton 7 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17580 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200920.2.106 2020-10-31 Hamilton Arthur Eustace 2, Percy Gallagher, George Cargill, Bill Stormont Bill Stormont 2, James (Sonny) Hing Shirtcliff, Payne, Vernall, Clarkin Manning Victoria Park 1 10,000 A Ball 14 August 3:00 30-28 Hamilton Hamilton Defeats Ponsonby 6 Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14438 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19200816.2.55 2020-10-31 Ponsonby Dufty, Clarkin, Halliday, Hamilton, Brady, Brain, Prickett, Fitzgerald Dufty 2, Cave Bolton, Black, A Halliday, W Henderson, Sam Lowrie, Arthur Pooley, Unknown x 2 A Cross, A Halliday Seddon Park, Hamilton Jim Rukutai Devonport XIII v King Country (Taumarunui) On September 25 a King Country side traveled to Auckland to take on a Devonport XIII at the Devonport Domain. King Country had played against Cambridge mid week. The match was played in atrocious conditions with half the Devonport Domain field under muddy water. Ben Davidson from the City club played for Devonport thus it was not an official full Devonport side. Davidson scored a try in their 13-8 defeat. 25 September 3:00 8-13 Devonport XIII King Country V. Devonport 7 New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17586 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200927.2.106.2 2024-07-10 King Country (Taumarunui) Cyril Nicholson, Ben Davidson Alex Godick Kahu, Logan, London Kahu, Doran Devonport Domain 2 H Clayton Hamilton Hospital Benefit Match On September 25 the Maritime and Marist clubs sent teams to play an exhibition match at Seddon Park in Hamilton to raise money for Hamilton Hospital. The match was played in poor weather conditions. Craddock Dufty from the Newton side played for Maritime and scored their first try. 25 September 3:00 18-3 Maritime XIII Maritime Defeat Marist Brothers 7 Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14476 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19200927.2.73 2024-07-10 Marist XIII Craddock Dufty, George Yardley, Bill Arndt, Ernie Herring John Lang 3 Unknown Seddon Park, Hamilton List of Matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Exhibition match 29 May Marist Old Boys Win Auckland Star LI 129 10 1920-05-31 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200531.2.124 2019-08-21 King Country 6 Marist Old Boys 12 Taumarunui Lower grade teams and clubs There were 5 lower grades in 1920. Richmond and Grafton fielded a combined side in the 5th grade, though Richmond also fielded their own side in the same grade. Point Chevalier fielded their first ever side in the Third Grade competition. They lost their first ever match to Devonport United (North Shore Albions) by 22 points to 6. Their only other reported results were a 21-7 loss to the same opponent in round 7 and a 14-2 loss in round 8 to Manukau. Second Grade The full results were not reported with just 18 reported and 38 not reported therefor the standings are very incomplete. City Rovers won the competition. Devonport United B withdrew after 7 rounds, Thames Old Boys withdrew after 10 rounds Marist and Māngere Rangers both withdrew after 11 rounds. TeamPldWDLBFAPtsCity Rovers6312163327Ponsonby United5401061408Maritime5311178497Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers5302155316Devonport United A4202124434Marist Old Boys3102015162Newton Rangers3021017192Devonport B3102219272Māngere Rangers310219462Thames Old Boys8002215530 Third Grade Manukau won their first ever grade title. The full results were not reported with only 8 scores published in the newspapers and 16 not published. Maritime withdrew after 4 rounds, and Newton Rangers withdrew after 5 rounds. Ellerslie United played a friendly match with Kingsland on September 25 when the season had finished. TeamPldWDLBFAPtsManukau55001642610Devonport United5302075456Kingsland Rovers 200217270Point Chevalier3003115570Newton Rangers100115110Maritime00001000 Fourth Grade Ponsonby United won the competition. There were 19 results reported and 20 not reported. The round 1 match between Kingsland and City was abandoned with the referee refusing to play the match due to the extremely poor standard of the field at the newly developed. Thirty shillings had been spent on clearing the ground prior. Maritime withdrew after just one round while Marist withdrew a week later. Northcote & Birkenhead withdrew following round 8, as did Devonport United. On August 28 Ellerslie (who were reforming) played a match against Grafton-Richmond, which they lost 10-6. On the same day City beat Ponsonby 43-0 in a knockout match. Knockout matches were played over the following 3 weeks but no results were reported. TeamPldWDLBFAPtsPonsonby United65010593110Grafton-Richmond7403092268City Rovers431005967Otahuhu Rovers4211033135Maritime A6204025664Kingsland Rovers5104017972Devonport United200203400Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers200203120Maritime B00000000Marist Old Boys00000000 Fifth Grade Manukau won the competition and were undefeated in reported results (20-0, 17-0, 22-8, 9-3, 10-6, and 3-0). There were 17 results reported and 41 not reported. Northcote & Birkenhead withdrew after round 6 rounds, while both Ponsonby sides withdrew after 9 rounds. The round 9 match between Maritime and Grafton-Richmond was the curtain-raiser to the Auckland v England match. TeamPldWDLBFAPtsManukau66000811712Devonport United6402075437Maritime7304068416City Rovers320102664Grafton-Richmond A110021655Otahuhu Rovers2101113162Grafton-Richmond B300302440Ponsonby United A300303460Ponsonby United B00000000Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers200208490 Sixth Grade Ponsonby won the championship, sealing it with their 5-0 win over Manukau on August 14. There were only 14 results reported with 18 not reported. The round 10 match between City Rovers and the combined Grafton-Richmond side on July 24 was a curtain-raiser to the Auckland v England match. TeamPldWDLBFAPtsPonsonby United77000421014Manukau6303015266Maritime5203016264City Rovers420202194Devonport United4004015270Grafton-Richmond200200110 Representative fixtures Auckland played a Rest of New Zealand team as part of the selection process for the New Zealand team to play England. They trounced them by 54 points to 0. They later played a trial match between and A and B team before the Auckland side was selected to play England. The match was played at the Auckland Domain in front of 30,000 spectators. Unfortunately the English halfback fractured his tibia in the first few minutes and they were forced to play with 12 for the remainder of the game as the rules at the time did not allow for substitutions of injured players.Football Match Injuries/League Patron’s Opinion/Roger’s Fractured Leg 4 Auckland Star LI 177 1920-07-26 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200726.2.33 2019-08-10 Auckland v Rest of New Zealand The match was postponed a day due to bad weather and played on the Sunday. 23 June 3:00 Auckland 54–0 A Decisive Defeat/Under Ugly Conditions/Auckland 54, Southern Reps Nil 8 Auckland Star LI 150 1920-06-24 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19200624.2.83 2019-08-10 Rest of New Zealand Bill Cloke 3, Charles Woolley, Bill Davidson 3, Billy Ghent, Stan Walters 2, Wally Somers, Bert Avery Bill Davidson 9 Auckland Domain 1 A Ball Auckland trial match 14 July 3:00 A Team 12–19 Local Players Chosen 4 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17523 1920-07-15 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200715.2.104.1 2020-02-20 B Team Joe Bennett, Charles Woolley Bill Davidson 2 Bill Davidson Ernie Herring 2, Bill Stormont, Dougie McGregor 2, George Paki Bill Stormont 2 Victoria Park 1 A Ball Auckland v England 24 July 3:00 Auckland 24–16 English Team Beaten/Opening Match of Tour/Auckland Scores 24-16/Good Display By Forwards/Visitors Play One Man Short 6 The New Zealand Herald LVII 17532 1920-07-26 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19200726.2.79 2019-08-21 England Bill Cloke, Stan Walters 2, Wally Somers, Nelson Bass (Penalty Try), Thomas McClymont Bill Davidson 3 Jonty Parkin 2, Billy Stone, Jim Bacon Billy Stone, Gwyn Thomas Auckland Domain 1 30,000 Bill Murray Auckland representative matches played and scorers NoNameClub TeamPlayTriesConPenPoints1Bill DavidsonCity23120332Bill ClokeNewton2410122Stan WaltersDevonport2400124Wally SomersNewton220065Nelson BassNewton110035Charles WoolleyGrafton210035Thomas McClymontPonsonby210035Billy GhentMarist110035Bert AveryMaritime2100310Jim BrienMaritime1000010Eric GreyMaritime2000010Joe BennettGrafton1000010Vic ThomasCity1000010Roly TaitMarist1000010Karl IfwersenGrafton1000010Clarrie PolsonNewton1000010Bill StormontMarist1000010Billy WilsonCity 1000010Ivan StewartCity10000 References External links Auckland Rugby League Official Site Category:Auckland Rugby League seasons Auckland Rugby League