1921 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1921 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 13th. Seventy two teams played across its six main grades.[1]

The first grade competition featured seven teams, City Rovers, Marist Old Boys, Maritime, Devonport, Fire Brigade (formerly Grafton Athletic), Newton Rangers, and Ponsonby United. City Rovers comfortably won the senior championship for the 4th time with a 8 win, 1 draw, 0 loss record ahead of Maritime who were unable to repeat their title win from the previous season. City had previously won the title in 1910, 1911, and 1916. This was to be the first of 3 consecutive titles for them. They also won the Roope Rooster knockout competition for the 3rd time after previous wins in 1916 and 1918.

Club name changes and mergers

On 13 April the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League met. At the meeting Grafton was granted permission to change its name to "Fire Brigade Club". Devonport United notified the league that the Devonport Borough Council had allocated the Devonport Domain for its use. During the season the club was named 'North Shore' and 'Devonport' interchangeably by both The New Zealand Herald and the Auckland Star. In 1920 the club had seen a merger between North Shore Albions and the Sunnyside club and agreed on the name Devonport United but it appears that the stronger club's name was still more favoured by those reporting on the games, and it was eventually the name adopted by the club. While the Kingsland Rovers club wrote asking for advice on what it should do regarding a ground for the club to play at.[2]

Carlaw Park open for business

History was made on 25 June when the first ever match was played on Carlaw Park between City Rovers and Maritime. The match was won by City Rovers 10 points to 8. Prior to the match an official opening ceremony was held. "The park was declared open by Hon. Arthur Myers, MP. Mr and Mrs. Carlaw were each presented with a gold badge and certificate of life membership on the ground, and at the conclusion of the ceremony Mrs Carlaw kicked off for the first game on the new park".[3] City Rovers capped a remarkable season by winning the Thacker Shield from Ponsonby United on the final day of the season after having already won the Monteith Shield by winning the First Grade Championship, and the Roope Rooster Knock-out trophy.

Female football club denied by the league

On 12 July a meeting was held in Parnell to form a "girls" rugby league competition and over 40 enrolling. They were to play a game on Carlaw Park on the following Saturday afternoon. They were all aged between 16 and 20 years of age. The chairman of the Parnell club, Mr. A. R. Turner explained "that it wished to develop the girls as well as the men, and to this end the club was being formed at the suggestion of the girls". A trophy "similar to the Monteith Shield" had been donated, and "members of the Auckland League Management Committee had donated a football, and were providing assistance in supplying jerseys. At the meeting when the time for enrollment came it was described that "they rose in a body and fairly rushed the table, which was in danger of being overturned in the excitement of the moment" Ivan Culpan, secretary of the league told the girls that the league would train them every evening in the lead up to the match.[4] Over the next week the number of girls enrolled increased to 65. It later transpired that the members of the Auckland Rugby League who had attended had done so by invitation and were not necessarily acting on behalf of the league with the comments they had made. At the Auckland Rugby league Management meeting the following night the decision on whether to support the girls playing and affiliate the club with the league was deferred. Both G. Hunt and E Phelan spoke against allowing the girls to play.[5] And at a meeting on 20 July the Auckland Rugby League decided to oppose the girls playing football. Mr. J. Carlaw said that medical opinion was in opposition to females playing the sport. Mr Stallworthy and Mr. E Feilding suggested a trial game with modified rules take place with doctors watching but the request was declined.[6]

Arthur Singe switches to rugby league

At the beginning of the season Marist Old Boys enticed Arthur Singe to join the club. He was an outstanding rugby player playing in the wing-forward position (flanker in today's terms). He played for the New Zealand Army rugby team which toured Great Britain and then South Africa at the end of the war. When he returned to New Zealand he played for the Marist rugby club and played for Auckland 8 teams. He narrowly missed the New Zealand rugby team to tour Australia after playing just 10 minutes in the North Island v South Island match which acted as a trial of sorts. He switched codes and joined Marist, playing for them in 1921–22 and 1925–26 before going on tour with the New Zealand team on their ill-fated tour of England. Seven players went on strike due to issues with management on the tour and were ultimately banned for life. Singe was the only Auckland player among the strikers. The ban was lifted in 1962, 26 years after his death in 1936. Singe was to play 48 games for Marist scoring 148 points, 15 games for Auckland scoring 25 points, and 8 matches for New Zealand.

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

Final standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts City Rovers 9 8 1 0 250 50 17 Maritime 9 6 0 3 135 112 12 Marist Old Boys 9 5 0 4 167 122 10 Ponsonby United 9 5 0 4 138 99 10 Newton Rangers 9 3 1 5 83 129 7 Devonport United 7 1 0 6 61 132 2 Fire Brigade 8 1 0 7 49 179 2 Monteith Shield fixtures Round 1 23 April City 22–5 Marist Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Alf Townsend, Bill Davidson, Bert Laing, H Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson 4 Pen: Bill Davidson [7] Try: Bill Stormont Pen: Bill Stormont 1 mark Attendance: 6,000 Referee: W Murray 23 April Devonport 3–2 Fire Brigade Victoria Park 2   3:00 Try: J Price [7] Pen: Charles Woolley Attendance: 6000 Referee: Clayton 23 April Newton 13–3 Ponsonby Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Bill Cloke, Clarrie Polson, Leonard Newdick Con: Craddock Dufty 2 [7] Try: W Edwards Referee: W Ripley Round 2 30 April City 33–2 Maritime Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, Bert Laing 2, Tim Peckham, V Thomas 2, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson 5 Pen: Bill Davidson 1 mark [8] Pen: Eric Grey Attendance: 7500 Referee: A Ferguson 30 April Newton 16–10 Devonport Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Thomas Virtue, A James, Wally Somers, Unknown x 1 Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty [9] Try: Scott, Doran Con: E Johnson 2 Attendance: 7500 Referee: W Ripley 30 April Marist 43–8 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 3   3:00 Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe, Unknown x 7 Con: Bill Stormont, Unknown x 6 Pen: Bill Stormont [10] Try: R Coates, Unknown x 1 Con: Charles Woolley Attendance: 7,500 Referee: F Thompson Round 3 7 May Ponsonby 17–10 Devonport Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor, R Mitchell, W Edwards, Bill Walsh, Eric McGregor Con: Thomas McClymont [11] Try: J Johnston, H Wynn Con: E Johnston Pen: E Johnston Attendance: 2,000 Referee: A Ball 7 May Maritime 17–5 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: George Yardley, Eric Grey 2, Woods, Miller Con: Eric Grey [12] Try: Dunn Pen: Albert Ivil Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Len Farrant 7 May Marist 22–15 Newton Victoria Park 2   3:00 Try: A Eustace, P Gallagher 3 Con: Arthur Singe 3 Pen: Bill Stormont, Arthur Singe [13] Try: James, Leonard Newdick, Bill Cloke Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 6,000 Referee: T Hill Round 4 14 May Maritime 12–10 Newton Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Ernie Herring, Brien, George Yardley [14] Try: Wally Somers, Nelson Bass Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 6,500 Referee: W Ripley 14 May Ponsonby 35–3 Marist Devonport Domain 1   3:00 Try: Eric McGregor 2, Bill Walsh, Dougie McGregor, George Mormon, W Hanlon, L Martin, Longbottom Con: Thomas McClymont 4 [15] Try: P Gallagher Referee: F Thompson 14 May City 61–7 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Harry Tancred 2, G Reed, Ben Davidson 2, Bill Davidson, V Thomas, Alf Townsend, Bert Laing, Unknown x 4 Con: Unknown x 11 [16] Try: Charles Woolley Con: R Coates Pen: Albert Ivil Referee: W Mincham Round 5 28 May Newton 6–6 City Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: F Lovelock 2 [17] Try: W Minogue, Unknown x 1 Attendance: 3,000 Referee: A Ball 28 May Maritime 19–17 Ponsonby Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: Eric Grey, Brien 2, Ivan Littlewood, Unknown x 1 Con: John Lang, W Flynn [18] Try: Dougie McGregor 2, Eric McGregor, Bill Walsh, Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1 Attendance: 3,000 Referee: H Clayton 28 May Marist 17–9 Devonport Auckland Domain 3   3:00 Try: A Eustace 3, James Hing, P Gallagher Con: Carroll [19] Try: A Nelson, Morgan, C Nicholson Attendance: 3,000 Referee: T Hill Round 6 Round 6 was somewhat farcical. Devonport fielded several juniors and when the score got to 14–0 in favour of Maritime very quickly four Maritime players changed teams to make it a more even contest. The remainder of the game more resembled a practice match. While Newton defaulted their match with Fire Brigade as only 6 players turned out. The New Zealand Herald match report stated that "counter-attractions proving too strong for the Newton players". 4 June City 24–3 Ponsonby Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 2, Alf Townsend 2, Tim Peckham, E Mackie Con: E Mackie, Unknown x 1 Pen: Maurice Wetherill 1 mark [20] Try: Dagnall Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Len Farrant 4 June Devonport 5–25 Maritime Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1 [21] Try: Unknown x 7 Con: Unknown x 2 Referee: Henning 4 June Fire Brigade WBD-LBD Newton Auckland Domain   3:00 [22] Referee: W Ripley Round 7 11 June Maritime 15–8 Marist Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 2, George Yardley Con: W Flynn 2 Pen: Eric Grey [23] Try: James Hing, A Eustace Con: Bill Stormont Attendance: 5,500 Referee: A Ball 11 June Ponsonby 10–8 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: George Mormon, L Martin Con: Dougie McGregor Pen: Dougie McGregor [24] Try: H McNeil, Corfield Pen: Albert Ivil Attendance: 5,500 Referee: F Thompson 11 June Devonport 6–37 City Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Charles Hand, Mann [25] Try: G Reed 2, Ben Davidson 2, H Hawkes, Alf Townsend 2, W Minogue, Tim Peckham Con: G Reed, Ben Davidson 2, W Minogue, Unknown x 1 Referee: W Ripley Round 8 18 June City 11–8 Marist Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 2, H Hawkes Con: Maurice Wetherill [26] Try: Ernie Herring, A Eustace Con: Bill Stormont Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A Ferguson 18 June Newton 6–5 Ponsonby Victoria Park 2   3:00 Try: Jones, Leonard Newdick [27] Try: Artie Rae, Dougie McGregor Referee: T Hill Round 9 Round 9 saw the opening of Carlaw Park and the first ever match played on its soil. City defeated Maritime by 10 points to 8 in front of 7000 spectators. The other two matches for this round were postponed. The captains of both Newton and Devonport decided to postpone the match, though the majority of the Devonport players were unaware of this arrangement and arrived at the ground ready to play. While on the same day the Fire Brigade players were called to a warehouse fire in the city at mid-day and were tired and late arriving to the ground so the match was abandoned.[28] 25 June City 10–8 Maritime Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: H Hawkes, Harry Francis Con: W Minogue Pen: W Minogue (1 mark) [29] Try: Lunn, Ivan Littlewood Con: Eric Grey Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A Ferguson 25 June Devonport PPD Newton Devonport Domain   3:00 [29] 25 June Marist PPD Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2   3:00 [29] Round 10 2 July Marist 34–3 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ernie Herring 2, John Lang, Arthur Singe, Puha, A Eustace, P Gallagher Con: Ernie Herring, Bill Stormont, John Lang, Carroll 2 [30] Try: C James Attendance: 3,700 Referee: T Hill 2 July Ponsonby 18–11 Devonport Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor, Ben McGregor, Sam Lowrie, Wilfred McNeil Con: Dougie McGregor 2 Pen: Dougie McGregor [31] Try: J Price, Cargill, Alf Townsend Drop: McAneny Referee: L Hemming 2 July Maritime 24–6 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: O'Donnell, Ivan Littlewood 3, Ballyntyne, McGregor Con: O'Donnell, Ivan Littlewood, George Yardley [32] Try: Bill Williams, Phil Castles Referee: Mincham Round 11 The City v Newton game was discontinued at halftime due to the score line. Newton had started the match a man short and the score line had already blown out to 37–5 by the interval. 9 July Marist 18–4 Maritime Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe, John Lang, Casey Con: Carroll, Billy Ghent Pen: Arthur Singe [33] Pen: George Yardley, W Flynn Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Len Farrant 9 July City 37–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Unknown 37 points [34] Try: S Delaney Pen: S Delaney Attendance: 6,000 Referee: H Clayton 9 July Ponsonby 21–5 Fire Brigade Victoria Park   3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor 2, Eric McGregor, W Edwards, Bill Walsh Con: Dougie McGregor 3 [35] Try: R Coates Con: Unknown x 1 Attendance: 2,000 Referee: L Hemming Roope Rooster knockout competition The first round match between Marist Old Boys and Maritime ended controversially with Marist complaining that the match had finished early (when they were trailing by 10 points to 8. They protested and the match was replayed with Maritime winning 21 to 10. The final was won by City Rovers who defeated Maritime in the final in front of a large crowd by 30 points to 14. Over £230 were taken at the gate which was a record for Carlaw Park, albeit in its first season of use. From this 50 percent went to the Auckland League Sick and Injured Players' Fund, 25 percent to the Hospital Radium Fund, and 25 percent to the St. John Ambulance Association .[36] Round 1 16 July City 13–7 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Bill Davidson, H Hawkes, Ben Davidson Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson [37] Try: J Biggs Con: Craddock Dufty Drop: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A Ball 16 July Maritime 10–8 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Brien 2 Con: Eric Grey Pen: George Yardley [38] Try: Unknown 2 Pen: Arthur Singe Attendance: 7,000 Referee: W Ripley 16 July Ponsonby 34–11 Devonport Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: George Mormon 2, Thomas McClymont 2, Mitchell, Wilfred McNeil, Bill Walsh, W Hanlon Con: Unknown x 5 [39] Try: J Price, Scott, Selwyn Chatfield Pen: McAneny Referee: T Hill Semi final 23 July City 8–5 Ponsonby Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: H Hawkes, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson [40] Try: Penalty Try Pen: Thomas McClymont Attendance: 6,500 Round 1 replay 13 August Maritime 21–10 Marist Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 3, Ballantyne, Eric Grey Con: W Flynn Pen: George Yardley, W Flynn [41] Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe Con: Billy Ghent Pen: Bill Stormont Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Len Farrant Semi final 3 September Maritime 12–7 Fire Brigade Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Brien Con: W Flynn 2 [42] Try: R Coates Con: J Wareing Drop: Joseph Attendance: 4000 Referee: W Ripley Final 1 October City 30–14 Maritime Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 3, Bill Davidson, Mitchell, H Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson 4, Maurice Wetherill Pen: Bill Davidson [43] Try: Bert Avery 3, Brien Pen: Brien Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Murray Top try scorers and point scorers Rank Player Team Tries 1 Ben Davidson City Rovers 13 2 Ivan Littlewood Maritime 12 3 A Eustace Marist Old Boys 10 4 Alf Townsend City Rovers 8 5 Dougie McGregor Ponsonby United 7 5 H Hawkes City Rovers 7 5 Brien Maritime 7 8 Bill Davidson City Rovers 6 8 P Gallagher Marist Old Boys 6 10 Bill Walsh Ponsonby United 5 10 Eric McGregor Ponsonby United 5 10 George Mormon Ponsonby United 5 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Mark Drop Goal Points 1 Bill Davidson City Rovers 4 15 3 1 0 50 2 Ben Davidson City Rovers 13 2 0 0 0 43 3 Dougie McGregor Ponsonby United 7 7 2 0 0 39 4 Ivan Littlewood Maritime 12 1 0 0 0 38 5 A Eustace Marist Old Boys 10 0 0 0 0 30 6 Arthur Singe Marist Old Boys 4 3 3 0 0 24 7 Alf Townsend City Rovers 8 0 0 0 0 24 7 Eric Grey Maritime 4 3 3 0 0 24 9 Craddock Dufty Newton Rangers 0 7 3 0 1 22 10 H Hawkes City Rovers 7 0 0 0 0 21 10 Brien Maritime 7 0 0 0 0 21 Other club matches and lower grades Lower grade clubs There were 7 lower grades in 1921 if you include the Sixth Grade which was split into an A and B grade, and the cadet competition. Clubs with only lower grade teams were: Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade: Maritime, Newton, Otahuhu, Ellerslie, City Rovers, Ponsonby, Manukau, Marist Old Boys. Newton defeated Maritime in the Second Grade final by 17 points to 11 at Carlaw Park to win the Second Grade Cup.[44] Third Grade (Myers Cup): Point Chevalier, North Shore, Kingsland, Ponsonby, Ellerslie, Newton. Fourth Grade: City Rovers, City Rovers B, Kingsland, Manukau, Point Chevalier, Richmond, Maritime, Otahuhu, Ponsonby, and Takapuna. Fifth Grade: Manukau, Northcote, Otahuhu, Ponsonby, Richmond, Maritime A, City Rovers, Maritime B, Manukau, Northcote, North Shore, Marist Old Boys, Takapuna. City Rovers defeated Richmond by 5 points to 2 to win the championship.[44] Sixth Grade: Ponsonby United, Ellerslie, Otahuhu, Kingsland B, Otahuhu A, Kingsland A, City Rovers A, Takapuna, Marist Old Boys, Richmond, Manukau, Maritime, Ellerslie B, Marist Old Boys B Sixth Grade B: Richmond, Maritime, Marist Old Boys, Ellerslie, and Ponsonby United. Cadet Competition: Senior Cadets 13th Company A, Senior Cadets 18th Company, 24th Company, Senior 4th Company, Senior Cadets 13th Company B, 51st Senior Cadets Company (Devonport), 23rd Company, 37 Company, 34th Senior Cadets Company (Mt Eden). This competition was won by the 18th Company of Senior Cadets after they won the final game of the season defeating the 13th Company by 7 points to 2. Challenge Shield The Thacker Shield was held by Ponsonby United coming into the 1921 season however there was a dispute over whether the shield should be held by North Island teams as it was unclear if it had been intended for competition among South Island teams only. The New Zealand council decided that the rules should be amended to allow North Island teams to hold it but the donor, Dr. H. T.J. Thacker and the Canterbury Rugby League would not agree to them. As such the shield was returned to the donor. Mr. C Weaver donated a trophy to take its place and this became known as the Challenge Shield and it was this that Ponsonby went on to defend twice. They first hosted Petone from Wellington who they beat 18–13. In the curtain-raiser Petone juniors were defeated by Richmond by 14 points to 8. In the evening the Petone players were entertained at the Druids' Hall by the Ponsonby club and Auckland League. They later defeated Huntly 19–8 before losing the Shield to local rivals City Rovers 10 September Ponsonby 18–13 Petone Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Eric McGregor 2, William Southernwood, Dougie McGregor Con: Dougie McGregor 3 [45] Try: Horace Nunn, Shanahan 2 Con: Balks Pen: Nicholls Attendance: 7,000 Referee: W Murray 8 October Ponsonby 19–8 Huntly Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Thomas McClymont, Blackie, W Edwards, Wilfred McNeil, James Hing Con: Thomas McClymont 2 [46] Try: Huatahi Paki, Peckham Pen: J Raynor Attendance: 2,000 Referee: A Ferguson 15 October City 25–10 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Francis, Bill Davidson, Tim Peckham, Ben Davidson, H Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson 4 Pen: Bill Davidson [47] Try: George Mormon, Dougie McGregor Con: Dougie McGregor, Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Len Farrant Exhibition matches List of exhibition matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Exhibition match 18 June[48] Hamilton 19 Maritime 16 Hamilton Exhibition match 13 Aug[49] Cambridge 16 City Rovers 14 Victoria Square, Cambridge Auckland representative fixtures It was a very busy season for the Auckland representative team with ten matches played. Though in reality B and C teams played some of the fixtures as matches were played at the same time in different centres. They won seven matches and lost three. On 20 August Auckland played three matches, which showed off their depth. One at Carlaw Park versus King Country, one in Hamilton against South Auckland, and one against Wellington on the Basin Reserve. They won against King Country and Wellington, with a loss against South Auckland. Auckland v New Zealand 21 May Auckland 16–22 New Zealand Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont, Cargill, Leonard Newdick Con: George Yardley, Thomas McClymont [50] Try: Bill Davidson 3, Jim Sanders, Bill Williams, Henry Tancred Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson Attendance: 11,000 Referee: A Ferguson Auckland v Wellington (Northern Union C.C.) 30 July Auckland 31–8 Wellington Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Bill Davidson, John Lang 2, Bill Stormont, H Hawkes, Bert Avery 2 Con: Bill Davidson [51] Try: K Thompson, Nicholls Pen: J Kruse Attendance: 6,000 Referee: W Murray Auckland v Hawkes Bay (Northern Union C.C.) 6 August Auckland 18–3 Hawkes Bay Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Eric Grey, Charles Woolley, H Hawkes, Bert Avery Con: Bill Davidson 3 [52] Try: A Atkins Attendance: 6500 Referee: A Ferguson Auckland v King Country 20 August Auckland 58–25 King Country Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Wally Somers 3, Charles Woolley, Bill Davidson, Bert Avery 5, Thomas McClymont 3, Arthur Singe Con: Wally Somers, Bill Davidson 2, Thomas McClymont 3, Eric Grey, Arthur Singe [53] Try: Lyall 2, Wallace 2, Jumbo Con: Cribb, Henry 3 Pen: Henry Attendance: 4,000 Referee: W Murray South Auckland (Waikato) v Auckland 20 August South Auckland (Waikato) 13–3 Auckland Claudelands Showgrounds, Hamilton   3:00 Try: Hemmingway 2, Wilson Con: G Dufty Pen: G Dufty [54] Try: George Paki Attendance: 2,500 Referee: T Smith Wellington v Auckland 20 August Wellington 21–23 Auckland Basin Reserve, Wellington   3:00 Try: Hodges, J Shanahan 2 Con: Nicholls 2 Pen: Nicholls 2 (and 1 mark), Balks [55] Try: Ivan Littlewood, T Peckham, Wilfred McNeil, Bill Stormont, H Hawkes Con: W Flynn 3, Bill Stormont Referee: C Snow West Coast v Auckland No full team lists were published for this match and none of the scorers were listed either in match reports from any newspaper in New Zealand. The match report did however mention that the following players for Auckland performed well: Maurice Wetherill, W Flynn, G Yardley, T Peckham, V Thomas, and Bill Stormont. It is most likely that Auckland fielded the same touring team that played in Wellington 4 days prior and in Christchurch 3 days later. 24 August West Coast 7–47 Auckland Greymouth   3:00 Try: Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1 Pen: Unknown x 1 [56] Try: Unknown x 11 Con: Unknown x 7 Canterbury v Auckland 27 August Canterbury 14–39 Auckland Sydenham Park, Christchurch   3:00 Try: W Green, Jim Sanders, R Watts, W Healey Con: Jim Sanders [57] Try: Ben Davidson 2, John McGregor, George Yardley, Maurice Wetherill, C James, Bill Stormont, H Hawkes 2 Con: Mike Flynn 5, Tim Peckham Attendance: 5,000 Referee: A Morris Hawkes Bay v Auckland B 27 August Hakes Bay 18–15 Auckland B Napier   3:00 Try: Douglas, Gibson 2, McCarthy Con: Exeter Pen: McCarthy, Exeter [58] Try: Gallagher 2, S Delaney Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty 2 Auckland v South Auckland (Waikato) 17 September Auckland 35–13 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 4, Bill Davidson, H Hawkes 2, Bert Avery, George Paki Con: Bill Davidson 4 [59] Try: Lyall Stewart, H Manning, S Neill Con: A. Wilson-Hall Pen: A. Wilson-Hall Attendance: 5500 Auckland representative matches played and scorers There was no scoring for the West Coast match where Auckland won by 47 points to 7. Bill Davidson led Auckland in scoring with 40 points from 6 tries and 11 conversions. No Name Club Team Play Tries Con Pen Points 1 Bill Davidson City Rovers 4 6 11 0 40 2 Bert Avery Marist Old Boys 4 9 0 0 27 3 H Hawkes City Rovers 5 7 0 0 21 4 Thomas McClymont Ponsonby United 4 4 4 0 20 5 Ben Davidson City Rovers 4 6 0 0 18 6 M Flynn Maritime 6 0 8 0 16 7 Bill Stormont Marist Old Boys 5 3 1 0 11 7 Wally Somers Newton 2 3 1 0 11 9 Charles Woolley Fire Brigade 5 2 0 0 6 9 John Lang Maritime 4 2 0 0 6 9 George Paki City Rovers 2 2 0 0 6 12 George Yardley Maritime 4 1 1 0 5 12 Tim Peckham City Rovers 4 1 1 0 5 12 Arthur Singe Marist Old Boys 4 1 1 0 5 12 Eric Grey Maritime 4 1 1 0 5 16 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 2 1 0 0 3 16 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 7 1 0 0 3 16 G Cargill Marist Old Boys 3 1 0 0 3 16 Leonard Newdick Newton Rangers 1 1 0 0 3 16 Ivan Littlewood Maritime 1 1 0 0 3 16 Wilfred McNeil Ponsonby United 2 1 0 0 3 16 C James Newton Rangers 2 1 0 0 3 16 John McGregor Maritime 2 1 0 0 3 24 Sam Lowrie Ponsonby United 3 0 0 0 0 24 Bill Williams Newton Rangers* 3 0 0 0 0 24 H Wynn Devonport United 2 0 0 0 0 24 V Thomas City Rovers 2 0 0 0 0 24 P Gallagher Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 24 Nelson Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 24 Nelson Bass Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 24 James Hing Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 24 Joe Meadows Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 24 Bill Walsh Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 24 Craddock Dufty Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 24 George Mormon Ponsonby United 1 0 0 0 0 24 J Price Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 24 S Delaney Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 24 Billy Ghent Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 24 M Clark ? 1 0 0 0 0 24 F Turner Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 24 N Ballantyne Maritime 1 0 0 0 0 24 Charles Webb Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 24 Alf Townsend City Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 24 A Eustace Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 - Bill Williams began the season playing for Newton Rangers however after they were struggling for numbers and defaulted a game he transferred to the Fire Brigade team where he played 3 matches in June and July. New Zealand representatives from Auckland Team to tour Australia Backs Eric Grey (Maritime) Charles Woolley (Fire Brigade) Bill Davidson (City Rovers) Bert Laing (City Rovers) Clarrie Polson (Newton Rangers) Forwards Wally Somers (Newton Rangers) Bill Williams (Newton Rangers) Henry Tancred (City Rovers) George Paki (City Rovers) Joe Meadows (Ponsonby) Bert Avery (Maritime) References "Activities in Auckland/Review of Last Season". The New Zealand Herald. LIX (18050). 27 March 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "The Management Committee". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17755). 14 March 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019. "City Defeats Maritime At Carlaw Park/Exciting Contest Witnessed". Auckland Star. LII (151). 27 June 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Girl Footballers/League Club Formed/First Match on Saturday/Much Enthusiasm Shown". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17832). 13 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 29 February 2020. "Girl FootballClub/Question of Affiliation/League Defers Decision/Matter of Physical Welfare". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17833). 14 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 29 February 2020. "Girl Footballers". Auckland Star. LII (172). 21 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 29 February 2020. "Opening of the Season". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17764). 25 April 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019. "City Defeats Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17770). 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019. "Newton Too Good For North Shore". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17770). 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019. "Marist Old Boys' Easy Win". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17770). 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019. "Ponsonby 17, North Shore 10". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17776). 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Maritime Defeats Fire Brigade". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17776). 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Marist Too Good For Newton". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17776). 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Maritime Defeats Newton". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17782). 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Ponsonby 35, Marist Old Boys 3". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17782). 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "City's Easy Victory". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17782). 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "City and Newton Draw". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17794). 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Maritime Defeats Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17794). 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Marist Old Boys 17, Devonport 9". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17794). 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "City Defeats Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17800). 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Maritime 25, Devonport 5". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17800). 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Newton Defaults to Fire Brigade". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17800). 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019. "Maritime Defeats Marist/Ponsonby, 10; Fire Brigade, 8/City Puts Up Big Score". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17806). 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Ponsonby, 10; Fire Brigade, 8". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17806). 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "City Puts Up Big Score". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17806). 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "City Defeats Marist O.B/Before 7,000 Spectators/An Exciting Tussle". Auckland Star. LII (145). 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Ponsonby Loses to Newton". Auckland Star. LII (145). 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "First Game on Carlaw Park/City Defeats Maritime/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17818). 27 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "First== Game on Carlaw Park/City Defeats Maritime/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17818). 27 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Good Play On Carlaw Park/Marist Overwhelms Newton". Auckland Star. LII (157). 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Good Play On Carlaw Park/Ponsonby 18, Shore 11". Auckland Star. LII (157). 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Maritime Beats Fire Brigade". Auckland Star. LII (157). 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Marist Defeat Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17830). 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "City Easily Defeat Newton". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17830). 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Ponsonby 21, Fire Brigade 5". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17830). 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "City's Great Victory/Maritime Defeated/Fine Exhibition at Carlaw Park/Witnessed by 8,000 Spectators". Auckland Star. LII (235). 3 October 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "The Roope Rooster/City Defeats Newton". Auckland Star. LII (169). 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "The Roope Rooster/Maritime 10, Marist OB 8". Auckland Star. LII (169). 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "The Roope Rooster/Ponsonby Accounts For Shore". Auckland Star. LII (169). 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Roope Rooster Semi-Final/City Defeats Ponsonby/Closely-Contested Game". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17842). 25 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Roope Rooster Competition/Maritime Defeats Marist/Fast and Exciting Game". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17860). 15 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Knock-out Semi-Final/Maritime Beats Firemen/After An Interesting Game". Auckland Star. LII (211). 5 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Roope Rooster Final/Victory For City Team/Fast and Exciting Game". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17902). 3 October 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019. "Junior Championship Final/Newton Defeats Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17896). 26 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019. "Thacker Shield Match/Ponsonby Retains Trophy/Petone Defeated By 5 Points". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17884). 12 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019. "Thacker Shield Match/Ponsonby V Huntly/Win For the Local Team". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17908). 10 October 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Final Game of Season/Thacker Shield Match/City Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17914). 17 October 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Hamilton Beats Maritime". Auckland Star. LII (145). 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "City Rovers V Cambridge". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17860). 15 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "New Zealand V Auckland/Local Team Defeated". The New Zealand Herald. 23 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019. "Auckland V Wellington/Victory For Local Team/Game Played In Rain". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17848). 1 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Representative Match/Auckland Beats Hawke's Bay/Fast Game On Wet Ground". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (17854). 8 August 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "King Country V Auckland/The Visitors Outclassed". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17866). 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Match At Hamilton/Win For South Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17866). 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Auckland V Wellington/Margin Of Two Points". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17866). 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Auckland V West Coast/An Easy Victory". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17869). 25 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Auckland V Canterbury/Win For Northerners/Thirty-Nine To Fourteen". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17872). 29 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Hawke's Bay V Auckland/A Close Contest". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17872). 29 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. "Auckland V South Auckland/Victory For Local Team/Fast Spectacular Play". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17890). 19 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019. External links Auckland Rugby League Official Site