1926 Auckland Rugby League season

At the annual general meeting of the Athletic Rugby League Football Club the idea of adopting the name of Grafton Athletic was discussed though no decision was made at the time it was later agreed to change the club name to Grafton.[1] They were known as 'Maritime' from their formation in 1918 and remained as such for four years until the start of the 1922 season when they changed their name to Athletic. They remained 'Athletic' for four years until deciding to change their name again in this 1926 season to Grafton Athletic. There had previously already been a Grafton Athletic club which formed in 1914 under the leadership of Karl Ifwersen and they survived for seven years until the 1920 season which was their last after Ifwersen switched back to the rugby code.

Nominations were received for 13 teams to compete in the Senior Grade. It was decided to have an A section and a B section like the 1925 season. In the A section competing for the Monteith Shield would be the same 7 teams as the previous year. They were Ponsonby United, City Rovers, Marist Old Boys, Devonport United, Richmond Rovers, Newton Rangers, and Grafton Athletic (previously named 'Maritime' from 1918–21 and then Athletic from 1922–25). The same 5 teams would compete in the B section with the addition of Parnell. The teams in that section were Northcote, Kingsland, Ellerslie, Mangere (not the present day club), Otahuhu, and Parnell.

Jim Parkes who had moved to Auckland and begun playing for Richmond was also to coach the side. With the Monteith Shield competition nearing its later stages L Taylor joined the Richmond club from the Whitiora club in Hamilton. He scored 54 points in just 6 games for Richmond which meant he finished as the second highest scorer for the season behind Maurice Wetherill. During the season the New Zealand team was chosen to tour England and many clubs were hard hit by player losses to the tour. Wetherill was almost a certainty to make the tour but was unavailable to tour. He remained with his City Rovers team who qualified for the final with Ponsonby United but could not lead them to the title.

The proposed plans for Carlaw Parks redevelopment as reported in December, 1926.

Albert Asher the well known player was appointed to work on the ground staff at Carlaw Park. He would be busy mid season when torrential rain leading up to the round 5 matches forced their abandonment. A large hole opened up on the number one field due to water overflowing from the railway embankment and the surrounding hills overwhelmed the surface drains. "As a result, the water forced its way back, emerging from a joint in the main pipe. The ground for some feet around was raised and, when it subsided, an open hole was revealed". It took several days to repair the playing area which was open again for the following weekend.[2] In December proposed plans for Carlaw Park's redevelopment were released though they were not carried out as shown in the image. The image showed the terraces becoming a large multilevel stand with a terrace type stand where the railway stand was at the time.

A large number of representative and trial matches were played on Carlaw Park during the course of the season. The New Zealand team was to tour England later in the year and so several trial matches were played including Auckland v South Auckland, North Island v South Island, A v B team matches, a 'probables' v 'possibles' game, Auckland v The Rest of New Zealand, and ultimately after the team had been selected Auckland played them before they departed. Then near the end of the season Auckland defended the Northern Union Challenge Cup 3 times against Otago, Canterbury, and South Auckland (Waikato). The season was then concluded with an Auckland Colts match against the B Division representative side.

The Auckland members of the New Zealand team to tour England were:Craddock Dufty (Grafton), Charles Gregory (Marist), George Gardiner (Ponsonby), Jim Parkes (Richmond), Lou Brown (City), Ben Davidson (City), Jack Kirwan (Marist), Hec Brisbane (Marist), Hector Cole (Ponsonby), Stan Webb (Devonport), Frank Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Ernie Herring (Grafton), Arthur Singe (Marist), Bert Avery (Grafton). Avery was to captain the touring side.

During the tour 7 players went on strike due to a large number of issues they had with the management of the tour and upon their return the New Zealand Rugby League administration banned each of them for life. The only Aucklander to be among the strikers banned was Arthur Singe, the Marist Old Boys hooker. He had joined them after switching from rugby in 1921 where he had represented the New Zealand Army team in 1919 on their British and South African tours and Auckland in 8 matches. He played 48 times for Marist, 15 times for Auckland and made 8 appearances for New Zealand before his ban. The ban was eventually lifted by the New Zealand Rugby League in 1962, 26 years after his death in 1936.

On 22 May all A and B division matches were postponed due to poor weather. Carlaw Park also suffered damage when water overflowed from the railway embankment and adjoining hills which proved too much for the surface drains. It caused the ground to subside and a hole to open up which would take some time to repair.[6]

Monteith Shield standings

With 1 round remaining Ponsonby was on 18 competition points and City were on 20 competition points. City had a bye and Ponsonby were due to play Grafton however owing to the likely outcome of Ponsonby defeating Grafton Athletic (who were last) which would mean the two teams would be tied on points the ARL decided to have Ponsonby and City playoff for the title instead. This was a regular method of deciding the title winners through this era and had happened in 1911, 1914, 1915, 1923, and 1924. Ponsonby won 13–8 and the result is included in the standings.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts Ponsonby United 12 10 0 2 256 153 20 City Rovers 13 10 0 3 279 168 20 Marist Old Boys 11 7 0 4 167 144 14 Devonport United 11 5 0 6 223 149 10 Richmond Rovers 11 3 0 8 142 176 6 Newton Rangers 11 3 0 8 185 305 6 Grafton Athletic 11 2 0 9 112 269 4 Monteith Shield fixtures Joan Endean kicking off the 1926 season. Referee William Mincham is watching. Joan was one of vice patron John Albert Endean's 5 daughters. In Round 12 new rules were introduced regarding the play the ball, mirroring rules adopted by the New South Wales Rugby League which made the games more open but it was stated in The New Zealand Herald that "it is evident the players will need more schooling to make the interpretation of this rule more effective. In the match between Ponsonby and Richmond every advantage was taken of the referee's awkward position, and some very unfair tactics were adopted in securing the ball from the ruck".[7] Round 1 In the match between Ponsonby and Devonport J Laing fractured his ankle while Webb also went off injured during the second half leaving Devonport with just 11 players. 24 April Ponsonby 31–21 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso, Ward, Sydney Ussher, Moore, Allen, H Riley 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 4 Pen: Frank Delgrosso [8] Try: Horace Dixon, Alf Scott, Julius Laing 2, Allan Seagar Con: Alf Scott 3 Attendance: 7,000 Referee: W Mincham 24 April City 39–16 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Nelson Bass 2, G Wade, Maurice Wetherill 3, Ben Davidson 2, Cargill Con: Nelson Bass 4, Sam Crewther Pen: Sam Crewther [9] Try: Clarrie Polson 2, G Morman, M Little Con: A Mansill 2 Attendance: 7,000 Referee: R Taylor 24 April Richmond 23–3 Grafton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Jim Parkes 2, Frederick Bass, R Jenkinson, Hyland Con: Carroll 4 [9] Try: Lee Referee: A Saunders Round 2 1 May Ponsonby 30–20 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Dempsey, Moore, Ivan Littlewood, Tim Peckham 2, Wilfred McNeil Con: Frank Delgrosso 5 Pen: Frank Delgrosso [10] Try: Lou Brown 3, E Mackie Con: Sam Crewther 2 Pen: Nelson Bass Drop: Sam Crewther Referee: Les Bull 1 May Marist 31–11 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane, Lineen, Sweeney 2, Charles Gregory, Brady, Nicholson Con: Arthur Singe 3 Pen: Arthur Singe 2 [11] Try: Bert Avery, Jones, Ernie Herring Con: Craddock Dufty Referee: P Rogers 1 May Devonport 5–13 Richmond Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: A Harper Con: Unknown x 1 [11] Try: Little, Stevenson, Unknown x 1 Con: Jim Parkes 2 Referee: H Taylor Round 3 Ponsonby's win over Newton in this round was a club milestone, being their 100th first grade win. In their 17th season and 163rd match they became the second club in Auckland to do this after City Rovers achieved the feat 2 seasons earlier. 8 May Marist 19–15 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Arthur Singe, Jack Kirwan, Jim O'Brien Con: Arthur Singe 2 Pen: Arthur Singe 3 [12] Try: Len Scott 2, A Harper, Harry Douglas Con: Clinton Boryer Pen: Alf Scott Attendance: 6,000 Referee: A Saunders 8 May City 21–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: G Wade, Henry Hawkes, Lou Brown, J Lewis, Billy Ghent Con: Sam Crewther 2 Pen: Sam Crewther [13] Try: Carroll, Hyland Con: Carroll 2 Pen: Carroll Attendance: 6,000 8 May Ponsonby 46–13 Newton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 2, H Riley 3, George Gardiner 3, Victor Fagan, Payne Con: H Riley, Frank Delgrosso 4, Victor Fagan 2, Tim Peckham [13] Try: Little, A Mansill, Alan Clarke Con: Clarrie Polson Pen: Clarrie Polson Round 4 Roy Hardgrave stretchered off in Newton's match with Richmond with a suspected broken collarbone. In the match between Newton Rangers and Richmond Rovers, Roy Hardgrave was thought to have broken his collarbone and was stretchered from the field. However it was later found that he had just received a kick to the shoulder after trying to stop a Richmond forward rush. 15 May City 15–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Lou Brown 2, J Lewis, Mitchell, G Wade [14] Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Taylor 15 May Newton 43–25 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: M Herewini, Roy Hardgrave, M Little 2, A Mansill, G Norman 3, Alan Clarke Con: M Herewini, A Mansill 5, Clarrie Polson Pen: M Herewini [15] Try: Jim Parkes, Avery, Bill Davis, Stan Prentice, Donald Con: Jim Parkes 3 Pen: Jim Parkes 2 Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Hill 15 May Devonport 6–13 Grafton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Clinton Boryer, Len Scott [15] Try: Bert Avery, Bill Te Whata, W Smith Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Referee: Les Bull Round 5 Lou Brown tore a ligament in his foot in his match with Grafton and missed several matches but recovered in time to gain selection for the New Zealand team to tour England. His brother E Brown was also injured in the match which also saw G Rayner ordered off. 29 May Ponsonby 10–3 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: H Riley, Lou Hutt Con: Tim Peckham 2 [16] Try: Hyland Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Les Bull 29 May City 33–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, G Wade 3, Billy Ghent 3, Lou Brown 2 Con: Maurice Wetherill, Nelson Bass, Unknown x 1 [17] Try: W Smith, Penalty Try Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 5,000 Referee: W Mincham 29 May Marist 12–9 Newton Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Hansen, Jim O'Brien Con: Arthur Singe 2 Pen: Arthur Singe [18] Try: M Little Con: A Mansill Pen: A Mansill 2 Referee: P Rogers Round 6 Delgrosso left the field with a bad cut over his eye against Marist which required stitches and missed some game. Wetherill also missed City's match as he was sitting a plumbers exam. City were upset by Devonport. 5 June Marist 13–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Jack Kirwan 2, Arthur Singe Con: Arthur Singe 2 [19] Try: Lou Hutt, Ward Con: Tim Peckham Referee: W Mincham 5 June Devonport 14–5 City Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Len Scott 2, Lyall Stewart, Harry Douglas Con: Neville St George [20] Try: McLachlan Pen: Nelson Bass Referee: Les Bull 5 June Newton 26–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Alan Clarke 3, A Mansill, Wally Somers, Clarrie Polson Con: A Mansill 4 [21] Try: Jones 2 Pen: Lucas 2 Referee: McCowatt Round 7 Hec Brisbane made return from a broken collarbone for Marist's match with Richmond. Roy Hardgrave of Newton also returned from his shoulder injury suffered in round 4. 12 June Marist 24–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: John Stormont, Jack Kirwan, Hansen, Jim O'Brien, Bob Crewther 2 Con: Arthur Singe 3 [22] Try: Stan Prentice, Frederick Bass Con: Carroll Pen: Carroll Referee: L Taylor 12 June Ponsonby 19–14 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Hector Cole 2, Goodley 2, Ivan Littlewood Con: Hector Cole, Tim Peckham [23] Try: Craddock Dufty, Smith Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty Drop: G Rayner Referee: Les Bull 12 June Devonport 40–14 Newton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Horace Dixon, Len Scott 5, E Ruby, Bert Laing, Alf Scott 2 Con: Bert Laing 3, Alf Scott 2 [24] Try: M Little, Alan Clarke, G Rhodes, Penalty Try Pen: A Mansill Referee: W Mincham Round 8 19 June Ponsonby 19–16 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Frank Delgrosso, Tim Peckham, H Riley 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 [25] Try: Lyall Stewart, Len Scott 2, Jim O'Brien Con: Bert Laing 2 Attendance: 6,500 Referee: Les Bull 19 June City 34–20 Newton Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Alf Townsend 2, G Wade 4, Henry Hawkes, Billy Ghent Con: Maurice Wetherill 5 [26] Try: Roy Hardgrave 2, Clarrie Polson, Brown Con: Arthur Mansill 3 Pen: Arthur Mansill Attendance: 6,500 Referee: W Mincham 19 June Grafton 11–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Ernie Herring Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 [26] Try: Frederick Bass, Donald Con: Jim Parkes Pen: Jim Parkes Referee: Rogers Round 9 Johnson was ordered off early in the match for Grafton against Marist. 17 July City 11–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: G Wade 2, Billy Ghent Pen: Maurice Wetherill [27] Try: George Gardiner, Goodley Con: Frank Delgrosso Referee: H Taylor 17 July Devonport 24–0 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Jim O'Brien, Horace Dixon, Len Scott, Stanley Rule 2, K Scott Con: Bert Laing Allan Seagar 2 [28] Referee: Les Bull 17 July Marist 19–2 Grafton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Sweeney, Hudson, Jim O'Brien, F Hanson, Jack Kirwan Con: Charles Gregory, Bob Crewther [28] Try: G Rayner Referee: Vic Simpson Round 10 Clarrie Polson, Newton's New Zealand representative was leaving at this point in the season to go and live in Wellington. Eric Grey came out of retirement to play for Ponsonby. In his first game since 1924 he scored a try and kicked a drop goal in their win over Newton. 24 July Devonport 31–13 Marist Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Stanley Rule, Len Scott, E Ruby 2, Allan Seagar, Bert Laing, Horace Dixon Con: Alf Scott 5 [29] Try: Mannix, Johnson, Bob Crewther Con: Charles Gregory 2 Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Les Bull 24 July Ponsonby 42–15 Newton Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Frank Delgrosso 3, Goodley, J Payne 2, George Gardiner, Allen, Eric Grey, Victor Fagan Con: Frank Delgrosso, George Gardiner 2 Pen: George Gardiner 2 Drop: Eric Grey [30] Try: M Little, Charles Hand, Penalty Try Con: Charles Hand 2 Pen: Charles Hand Attendance: 5,000 Referee: P Rogers 24 July City 10–6 Richmond Victoria Park   3:00 Try: J Lewis, Billy Ghent Con: Maurice Wetherill Pen: Maurice Wetherill [30] Try: Frederick Bass, Ray Hyland Referee: T Hill Round 11 14 August City 22–13 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: G Wade 3, Maurice Wetherill 2, J Lewis Con: Maurice Wetherill 2 [31] Try: Sweeney 2, Noble Con: Pickering Pen: Pickering Referee: W Mincham 14 August Richmond 30–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: L Taylor, Stan Prentice 3, Redwood, Frederick Bass Con: L Taylor 3 Pen: L Taylor 3 [32] Try: M Little Pen: M Herewini Referee: H Taylor 14 August Devonport 42–8 Grafton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Lyall Stewart 2, J Hemingway 2, Len Scott, Alf Scott, E Ruby, Julius Laing, Cleaver, Jim O'Brien Con: Alf Scott 4, Allan Seagar, Rykers [32] Try: Webb, Moros Pen: Lucas Referee: Les Bull Round 12 L Taylor transferred from the Whitiora club in Hamilton and scored a try and kicked 6 goals on debut for Richmond. Newton only had 10 players for the entirety of their match with Marist but still made a game of it only losing 15–11. 21 August Ponsonby 20–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, H Riley, Victor Fagan, Lou Hutt Con: Tim Peckham 3 Pen: Eric Grey [33] Try: Frederick Bass Pen: L Taylor 3 Drop: L Taylor Referee: H Taylor 21 August City 47–18 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Maurice Wetherill, G Wade 2, Nelson Bass 2, Billy Ghent 3. J Lewis, H Hawkes 2 Con: Maurice Wetherill 3, J Lewis, E Brown Pen: Maurice Wetherill 2 [7] Try: Moros, Pitman, Penalty Try, Callaghan Con: Heard, Lucas 2 Referee: G McCowatt 21 August Marist 15–11 Newton Carlaw Park 2   1:45 Try: Jim O'Brien, Sweeney, Bob Crewther Con: Jim O'Brien 3 [33] Try: Grover, M Little 2 Con: M Herewini Referee: B Emirali Round 13 The captains and referees (Tim Peckham, Jim O'Brien (Marist), Jim O'Brien (Devonport), Maurice Wetherill, and referees William Mincham and Les Bull) 4 September City 14–9 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Billy Ghent, E Mackie Con: Maurice Wetherill 2 Pen: Maurice Wetherill 2 [34] Try: J Hemingway, Horace Dixon, K Scott Referee: Les Bull 4 September Ponsonby 10–8 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Allan, H Riley Con: Eric Grey Pen: Eric Grey [34] Try: Moore, Hansen Con: Pickering Referee: W Mincham 4 September Newton 13–12 Grafton Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Alan Clarke 3 Con: Alan Clarke 2 [35] Try: Jones 2 Con: Jones Pen: Jones 2 Referee: H Taylor Final 11 September Ponsonby 13–8 City Carlaw Park   3:00 Try: Kenneth Peckham, S Usher, Ward Con: Tim Peckham Pen: Eric Grey [36] Try: Sam Crewther, Nelson Bass Con: Maurice Wetherill Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Mincham Roope Rooster knockout competition Devonport v Marist in the Roope Rooster semi final on September 25 at Carlaw Park. Richmond Bulldogs won the Roope Rooster for the first time with a 16–15 win over Devonport in the final. This was their first major trophy. Round 1 18 September Ponsonby 12–2 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Wilfred McNeil, Goodley, Ivan Littlewood, Ward [37] Pen: Maurice Wetherill Referee: Les Bull 18 September Marist 29–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Bob Crewther 2, Bulcraig, Sweeney, Hansen, Jim O'Brien, Jock Johnson Con: Pickering 3, Jim O'Brien [37] Try: Wilson, C Timmons Con: Heard Pen: Heard Referee: W Mincham 18 September Richmond 25–15 Newton Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: L Taylor 3, Donald, Devon Con: L Taylor 2 Pen: L Taylor 3 [37] Try: Irvine, Morman, Little Con: Alan Clarke Pen: Alan Clarke 2 Referee: P Rogers Semi-finals 25 September Richmond 13–12 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Stan Prentice, Avery, Unknown x 1 Con: Carroll Pen: L Taylor Try: H Riley, Goodley Con: Peckham Pen: Eric Grey Drop: Eric Grey Referee: McCowatt 25 September Devonport 28–11 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Len Scott, Horace Dixon, Bert Laing 2, E Ruby, Alf Scott, Hemingway Con: Bert Laing 3 Pen: Bert Laing Try: Sweeney Pen: Pickering Referee: Les Bull Final 16 October Richmond 16–15 [38] Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Stan Prentice, L Taylor 2, Bill Davis Con: L Taylor, Carroll Try: E Ruby, Len Scott, Jim O'Brien Con: Bert Laing 2 Pen: Bert Laing Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Bull Stormont Shield Ponsonby won the Stormont Shield again after winning it in the previous season which was the first year it had been contested after the passing of Bill Stormont months earlier who it was named in honour of. 22 October Ponsonby 15–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: A Payne, Tim Peckham, Moore Con: Tim Peckham 3 [39] Try: Bill Davis Con: L Taylor Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Les Bull Top try scorers and point scorers (senior grade and Roope Rooster) Rank Player Team Tries 1 Len Scott Devonport United 17 1 G Wade City Rovers 17 3 Billy Ghent City Rovers 11 3 H Riley Ponsonby United 11 3 M Little Newton Rangers 11 6 Alan Clarke Newton Rangers 9 7 Lou Brown City Rovers 8 7 Sweeney Marist Old Boys 8 9 Ivan Littlewood Ponsonby United 7 9 Stan Prentice Richmond 7 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Drop Goal Points 1 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 6 15 7 0 62 2 L Taylor Richmond Rovers 6 7 10 1 54 3 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 5 17 2 0 53 4 G Wade City Rovers 17 0 0 0 51 5 Len Scott Devonport United 17 0 0 0 51 6 Arthur Mansill Newton Rangers 3 15 4 0 47 7 Alf Scott Devonport United 4 15 1 0 44 8 Arthur Singe Marist Old Boys 2 12 6 0 42 9 Alan Clarke Newton Rangers 9 3 2 0 37 10 H Riley Ponsonby United 11 1 0 0 35 B Division standings and results B Division standings Team Pld W D L F A Pts Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 14 10 1 3 166 139 21 Kingsland Rovers 14 9 0 5 177 101 18 Ellerslie United 14 7 2 5 103 98 16 Mangere United 14 7 1 6 134 113 15 Otahuhu Rovers 14 4 2 8 68 124 10 Parnell 14 3 0 12 76 149 6 B Division results 1926 First Grade Results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 24 April[8] Ellerslie 3 Parnell 2 Auckland Domain – 24 April Mangere 37 Northcote 8 Victoria Park – 24 April Kingsland 5 Otahuhu 3 Otahuhu Round 2 1 May[10] Otahuhu 6 Parnell 5 Otahuhu – 1 May Mangere 16 Kingsland 13 Auckland Domain – 1 May Northcote 7 Ellerslie 6 Auckland Domain Round 3 8 May[12] Otahuhu 8 Ellerslie 8 Otahuhu – 8 May Northcote 10 Kingsland 7 Victoria Park – 8 May Mangere 13 Parnell 3 Mangere Round 4 15 May[40] Ellerslie 5 Kingsland 0 Ellerslie Reserve – 15 May Northcote 15 Parnell 11 Victoria Park – 15 May Mangere 0 Otahuhu 10 Mangere Round 5 31 May[41] Ellerslie 8 Mangere 0 Carlaw Park # 1 – 31 May Otahuhu 5 Northcote 5 Victoria Park – 31 May Kingsland 24 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain Round 6 5 June[42] Kingsland 18 Otahuhu 3 Victoria Park – 5 June Mangere 15 Northcote 14 Auckland Domain – 5 June Ellerslie WBD Parnell LBD Auckland Domain Round 7 12 June[43] Mangere 7 Kingsland 8 Mangere – 12 June Northcote 8 Ellerslie 5 Ellerslie Reserve – 12 June Parnell 10 Otahuhu 3 Carlaw Park # 1 Round 8 19 June[25] Ellerslie 11 Otahuhu 0 Auckland Domain – 19 June Mangere 14 Parnell 5 Mangere Trotting Ground – 19 June Kingsland 18 Northcote 2 Victoria Park Round 9 17 July[27] Ellerslie 11 Kingsland 10 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 17 July Otahuhu 0 Mangere 6 Otahuhu, 3pm – 17 July Northcote 21 Parnell 5 Victoria Park, 3pm Round 10 24 July[29] Ellerslie 13 Mangere 13 Ellerslie Reserve – 24 July Kingsland 11 Parnell 8 Carlaw Park # 2, 2.30 pm – 24 July Northcote 12 Otahuhu 4 Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm Round 11 14 Aug[31] Ellerslie 10 Parnell 6 Carlaw Park # 1 – 14 Aug Kingsland 24 Otahuhu 0 Auckland Domain – 14 Aug Northcote 10 Mangere 5 Victoria Park Round 12 21 Aug[7] Northcote 16 Ellerslie 11 Ellerslie Reserve – 21 Aug Kingsland 21 Mangere 8 Auckland Domain – 21 Aug Parnell 10 Otahuhu 9 Victoria Park Round 13 4 Sep[34] Northcote 18 Kingsland 7 Carlaw Park #1, 1.45 pm – 4 Sep Otahuhu 17 Ellerslie 10 Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm – 4 Sep Parnell WBD Mangere LBD Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm Round 14 11 Sep[44] Northcote 20 Parnell 3 Carlaw Park # 2 – 11 Sep Kingsland 11 Ellerslie 2 Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm – 11 Sep Otahuhu WBD Mangere LBD Otahuhu Trotting Grounds In Round 6 Parnell defaulted to Ellerslie with the club secretary saying "the fact that five men are on the injured list and that others have had to leave town to seek work in the country were the chief factors".[45] Stallard Cup knockout competition This was the second year that the B Division knockout competition had been competed for. 1926 Stallard Cup results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 18 Sep[46] Mangere 17 Ellerslie 16 Mangere Black Bridge, 3pm – 18 Sep Parnell 13 Northcote 13 Devonport, 3pm Round 1 25 Sep[47] Kingsland 13 Northcote 12 Carlaw Park # 2, 1.30 pm Round 1 25 Sep Otahuhu 8 Mangere 5 Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm Semi-final 9 Oct[48] Parnell 11 Otahuhu 3 Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm Final 16 Oct[49] Kingsland 25 Parnell 13 Carlaw Park # 1 Other club matches and lower grades Lower grade clubs There were 5 lower grades in 1925, along with the addition of a third grade intermediate and schoolboy competition. The sixth grade was split into an A and B grade as had become customary in previous seasons. Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade: City Rovers, Devonport United, Glen Eden, Grafton Athletic, Kingsland Rovers, Mangere United, Newton Rangers, Otahuhu Rovers, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers. Devonport defeated City in the championship final 6 to 3. Grafton won the knockout competition. Third Grade: Devonport United, Ellerslie, Glen Eden, Grafton Athletic, Mangere United, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, New Lynn, Newton Rangers, Parnell, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers, United Suburbs. Grafton also won the knockout competition. (Grafton Athletic had a record of 19 wins and 1 loss, for 371, against 63) Third Grade Intermediate: Devonport United, Kingsland Rovers, Newton Rangers, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Richmond Rovers, Parnell, United Suburbs. Richmond had a 10 win, 2 loss record for the season and also won the knockout competition. They scored 127 points and conceded 57. Fourth Grade: Grafton Athletic, City Rovers, Ellerslie United, Marist Old Boys, New Lynn, Newton Rangers, Otahuhu Rovers, Parnell, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers. Richmond won the knockout competition. Fifth Grade: Devonport United, Ellerslie, Grafton Athletic, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers. Richmond also won the knockout competition. Sixth Grade A: Akarana, City Rovers A, City Rovers B, Grafton Athletic, Newton Rangers A, Newton Rangers B, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Otahuhu Rovers, Richmond Rovers. City beat Richmond in the 6th grade knockout competition. Akarana beat City 10-8 in the knockout final. Sixth Grade B: Akarana, City Rovers, Grafton Athletic, Point Chevalier, Richmond Rovers. Grafton won the knockout competition. Schoolboys Competition: Newmarket, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Parnell Exhibition matches Taupiri v Ponsonby 18 May Taupiri 6-16 Ponsonby Taupiri   3:00 Try: Allan, Davis [50] Try: Ivan Littlewood, Payne, Hector Cole, George Gardiner Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Date Score Score Venue Exhibition match 30 Aug[51] Hamilton 16 Northcote 17 Hamilton Exhibition match 9 Oct[52] New Lynn 3rd Grade 0 Waikato Junior Team 3 Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm Exhibition match 23 Oct[53] Kingsland 24 Huntly 13 Carlaw Park Representative season Representative fixtures Ivan Littlewood playing for Auckland against 'The Rest' at Carlaw Park in July. He was being pursued by Saunders and Wilson-Hall. The first representative fixture of the season was played on 26 June between Auckland and South Auckland. The match was the first trial game for the selection of the New Zealand team to tour England. With the score a lopsided 33–3 at halftime the selectors added five local Auckland players to the South Auckland team to even the match somewhat and it finished 49 to 15 in favour of the hosts. While not principally an Auckland team playing the trial matches between North Island and South Island, and the A and B match were heavily populated by Auckland players. The team selected to represent New Zealand featured a large number of Auckland players; Craddock Dufty (Grafton), Charles Gregory (Marist), George Gardiner (Ponsonby), Jim Parkes (Richmond), Lou Brown (City), Ben Davidson (City), Jack Kirwan (Marist), Hec Brisbane (Marist), Hector Cole (Ponsonby), Stan Webb (Devonport), Frank Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Ernie Herring (Grafton), Arthur Singe (Marist), and Bert Avery (captain) (Grafton).[54] Before the team departed they played Auckland at Carlaw Park and went down in a high scoring game by 52 points to 32 after fielding a slightly weakened team against a strong Auckland side. Auckland v South Auckland Due to the lopsided match where the halftime score was 33–3 Auckland gave several players to the South Auckland team at halftime including Arthur Mansill who kicked 3 goals for the visiting side. 26 June Auckland 49–15 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Lou Brown, Ben Davidson, Frank Delgrosso 4, Hector Cole, Tim Peckham, Jim O'Brien 2, Bert Avery 3 Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Tim Peckham, Arthur Singe Drop: Ben Davidson [55] Try: Parkes, C Gieson, Davies Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill Attendance: 8,000 Referee: W Mincham North Island v South Island 3 July North Island 31–22 South Island Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Wally Desmond, Ben Davidson, Jack Kirwan, Hector Cole 2, Bert Avery Con: Craddock Dufty 5 [56] Try: G Brittenden, T Callentire, Jack Wright, Len Mason Con: Frank Henry, Neil Mouat Pen: Frank Henry, Neil Mouat 2 Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Les Bull A Team v B Team (NZ trial) 3 July A Team 16–25 B Team Carlaw Park   1:15 Try: Lou Brown 3, H Riley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 [57] Try: Jim Parkes 3, Nelson Bass 2 Con: Arthur Mansill 4 Pen: Arthur Mansill Attendance: 18,000 Referee: W Mincham Auckland v The Rest (of NZ) 7 July Auckland 21–28 The Rest Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Stan Webb, J Lewis, Frank Delgrosso 2 Con: Arthur Mansill 3 [58] Try: Sanders 3, Wally Desmond, Wilson Hall, Neil Mouat Con: Neil Mouat 4 Pen: Neil Mouat Attendance: 4,000 Probables v Possibles (NZ trial) 10 July Probables 15–32 Possibles Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Wally Desmond 2, Penalty Try Con: Craddock Dufty 3 [59] Try: P Hickey, Hec Brisbane 2, Neil Mouat, Bill Devine 2, Joe Menzies, J Tallentire Con: Neil Mouat 4 Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull A Team v B Team (NZ trial) 10 July A Team 28–30 B Team Carlaw Park 1   1:15 Try: Wilson (jnr) 2, Jim O'Brien, Alan Clarke, Little 2 Con: Arthur Mansill 5 [59] Try: G Wade 2, Claude List, Alf Townsend, Horace Dixon, Moore Con: George Gardiner 6 Attendance: 10,000 Referee: P Rogers Auckland v New Zealand 31 July Auckland 52–32 New Zealand Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List, G Wade, Maurice Wetherill 3, Stan Prentice, Tim Peckham, Alf Scott, Horace Dixon 2, Jim O'Brien 2, Jim O'Brien Con: Arthur Mansill 2, Alf Scott 3, Neville St George [60] Try: Wally Desmond, Lou Brown, Wilson Hall 2, Bert Avery, Len Mason, Frank Henry, Alphonsus Carroll Con: Craddock Dufty, George Gardiner 3 Attendance: 14,000 Referee: W Mincham Auckland v Otago (Northern Union C.C.) Auckland v Otago at Carlaw Park, August 7, 1926 Claude List became the first player selected from the B Division to make the full Auckland representative side. He played for the Kingsland club and had been mentioned as being as good as any player in his position in New Zealand rugby league. He was to go on to represent New Zealand from 1928 to 1932. Future Kiwi Len Scott also debuted for Auckland after coming on to replace the injured Harry Douglas. 7 August Auckland 14–4 Otago Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List, G Wade, Tim Peckham, J Payne [61] Pen: Bert Eckhoff 2 Referee: Harlock Auckland v Canterbury (Northern Union C.C.) Auckland v Canterbury 28 August Auckland 33–15 Canterbury Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: G Wade 4, Claude List 2, Ivan Littlewood, Horace Dixon, J Payne Con: G Rayner 2, Alf Scott [62] Try: C Batchelor, Le Warne, G Dawkins Con: A Collie 2 Pen: A Collie Attendance: 7,000 Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union C.C.) 9 October Auckland 25–8 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Claude List 3, G Wade, Jim O'Brien, Allan Seagar 2 Con: Alf Scott 2 [63] Try: Davis, Metcalf Drop: George Rayner Attendance: 3,000 Referee: W Mincham Auckland Colts v B Division representatives 30 October Auckland Colts 24–17 B Division Representatives Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hammond, G Ward, Allan Seagar, Sydney Usher 2, Ruby Con: Hanlon, Allan Seagar, Crewther [64] Try: Thompson 2, Clarke, Croxson, Unknown x 1 Con: Eustace Auckland representative matches played and scorers This list only includes the Auckland team games against South Auckland (x2), The Rest (of NZ), New Zealand, Otago, Canterbury, and South Auckland (Waikato) No Name Club Team Play Tries Con Pen Drop Goal Points 1 Claude List Kingsland 4 7 0 0 0 21 1 George Wade City Rovers 4 7 0 0 0 21 3 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 2 6 0 0 0 18 4 Jim O'Brien Devonport United 6 5 0 0 0 15 4 Alf Scott Devonport United 4 1 6 0 0 15 6 Tim Peckham Ponsonby United 3 1 0 0 0 11 7 Arthur Mansill Newton Rangers 3 0 5 0 0 10 8 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 4 3 0 0 0 9 8 Bert Avery Grafton Athletic 1 3 0 0 0 9 8 Horace Dixon Devonport United 4 3 0 0 0 9 11 Ivan Littlewood Ponsonby United 5 2 0 0 0 6 11 J Payne Ponsonby United 5 2 0 0 0 6 11 Allan Seagar Devonport United 1 2 0 0 0 6 14 Ben Davidson City Rovers 1 1 0 0 1 5 15 Craddock Dufty Grafton Athletic 1 0 2 0 0 4 15 George Rayner Grafton Athletic 1 0 2 0 0 4 17 Lou Brown City Rovers 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Hector Cole Ponsonby United 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Stan Webb Devonport United 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 J Lewis City Rovers 1 1 0 0 0 3 17 Stan Prentice Richmond Rovers 4 1 0 0 0 3 17 Jim O'Brien Marist 2 1 0 0 0 3 23 Arthur Singe Marist Old Boys 1 0 1 0 0 2 23 Neville St George Devonport United 3 0 1 0 0 2 25 Alf Townsend City Rovers 4 0 0 0 0 0 25 Lou Hutt Ponsonby United 3 0 0 0 0 0 25 Alan Clarke Newton Rangers 2 0 0 0 0 0 25 Charles Gregory Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 Ernie Herring Grafton Athletic 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 Len Scott Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 Billy Ghent City Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 William Hanlon Richmond Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 H Riley Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 E Cleaver Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 0 Annual general meetings and club news Auckland Rugby League Juniors On 16 March Auckland Rugby League held its Junior Management Committee annual meeting where it was noted that the number of teams during the 1925 season was 75, with approximately 1,200 registered players.[65] The full Auckland Rugby League annual report stated that in 1925 there were 12 senior teams and 103 junior teams playing in the various competitions, representing an increase of three senior and 28 junior teams. There was a total of 2,364 playing members.[66] It was also noted that the total receipts from club fixtures was £3,136 and the total amount taken at all games was just over £7,000. The executive intended on spending money on improving the dressing accommodation for players at Carlaw Park, and when funds permit constructing a permanent grandstand.

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site