1923 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1923 season of the Auckland Rugby League was its 15th. The First Grade competition featured 7 teams with the Fire Brigade club who featured in it in 1922 not entering a team.

First grade winners

City Rovers won their 6th championship title and the 3rd in succession after defeating Athletic 8–7 in the final. With a round to play City was only 2 competition points ahead of Athletic so it was decided to play a final to decide the champions. The match was played on Carlaw Park in front of an enormous crowd of 11,500 with £325 received in gate takings.[1] City were the second team to win three consecutive titles after Ponsonby United had won the competition in 1917, 1918, and 1919. It was to be 61 years until it happened again with Mt Albert winning the title from 1984–86 before Northcote won 4 titles from 1991–94, Glenora 3 titles from 1997–99, and Pt Chevalier won 3 titles from 2013–15.

Ponsonby won the Roope Rooster Knockout competition for the second straight year and their third time in the competitions history after defeating City Rovers 14–3 in the final.

Representative team

The Auckland representative team played 5 matches for 4 wins and a 20–20 draw. The draw was arguably the most significant result as it was in a match for the Northern Union Challenge Cup against South Auckland. Auckland had lost the cup to the same opposition the previous season and as the match was drawn South Auckland retained it. The two teams met again at the end of the season at Carlaw Park which Auckland won convincingly however the cup was not being played for as it was only defended at the holders home ground.

Manukau rugby league team

Near the end of the season the Manukau and Mangere clubs sent a letter to the Auckland Rugby League which was read at the management committee meeting on 29 August. It stated that the two clubs had decided to amalgamate and would enter a team in the senior grade the following year provided permission was granted, which it was. The Manukau club is the Manukau club of today, though the Mangere club is not related to the modern day Mangere East who were not founded until 1963. The Manukau club were located in their early decades in the Onehunga area before moving much later to their current location at Moyle Park.

Obituary

William Southernwood

William Southernwood was a Ponsonby first grade player from 1918 until the start of the 1923 season. He tragically drowned on the night of 31 March, 1923 when the boat he owned (the launch, Lorraine) capsized while attempting to cross the Tairua Bar. He had been at the Whitanga Regatta during the afternoon and as he attempted to enter Tairua in strong winds and heavy seas the boat was struck by a large wave capsizing it. It was struck by 3 more breaking waves and smashed to pieces. Southernwood was in the engine room at the time and was never seen again. Also onboard was Bill Walsh, his Ponsonby team mate and current Kiwi player. Walsh had his legs tangled in fishing line and after falling into the water was saved by Silston Cory-Wright who was in another vessel. He entered the water and cleared his legs of the fishing line, and used a benzine tin to keep them afloat until they could be rescued. Walsh was in a poor state by this time. He then put a lifebelt over his shoulders and kept him up until they could be pulled in. They then needed to be "rubbed for nearly an hour to bring them round". Three other men lost their lives on board the Lorraine, H Chappell, T Culhan, and N Robson. Another man, Alex Rolandson was on another vessell (Elida) which in trying to assist them he fell overboard and also drowned.[2][3][4] Prime Minister William Massey telegraphed to Tairua his sincere sympathy from himself and his wife for the bereaved relatives.[5] Walsh recovered sufficiently and was able to assume the position of club captain which he had been elected to for the 1923 season.[6] On the one year anniversary of Southernwood's death the Ponsonby Rugby League Football Club placed a memoriam notice in the Auckland Star "In memory of our club mate (Billy) W Southernwood, accidentally drowned, launch disaster Tairua, March 31, 1923".[7]

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

The 1923 First Grade Championship was arguably the most keenly fought in the competitions history to this point with three teams in the hunt for the title up until the last two weeks. Marist Old Boys who were in a good position to win the title lost in the 12th and 13th rounds and bowed out of contention, leaving City Rovers and Athletics to contend. It was ultimately won by City Rovers who finished the season with a 10 win and 2 loss record, as did Athletic, with a final being required to determine the winner. City won by the narrowest of margins 8–7 to go back to back.

Final standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts City Rovers 13 11 0 2 228 72 22 Athletic 13 10 0 3 180 87 20 Marist Old Boys 12 9 0 2 170 108 18 Devonport United 12 6 0 6 135 141 12 Ponsonby United 12 4 0 8 118 179 8 Newton Rangers 12 2 0 10 85 183 4 Richmond Rovers 12 1 0 11 93 239 2 A final was played between City Rovers and Athletic after the round robin to decide the title with City winning 8 points to 7 in front of 11,500 spectators at Carlaw Park. First grade fixtures The First Grade season was particularly close right until the end. In the final round the step was made to play both games on Carlaw Park number 1 field for the first time (usually one match was always played on the number 2 field at the same time). If Athletics had defeated City Rovers in the main match they would have won the championship for the first time however they lost to City which forced a final to be played the following week between the same two teams and City were again victorious to claim their 3rd straight championship. round 1 5 May Ponsonby 15–10 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Henderson, Frank Delgrosso, Wilfred McNeil Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso [8] Try: Clarrie Polson, Dick Stack Con: Clarrie Polson Drop: Lou Brown Attendance: 5000 Referee: Gallagher 5 May Marist 23–15 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Billy Ghent, Foss, Stevens, P Gallagher, Courtney Con: Billy Ghent 2, Nelson Bass Pen: Billy Ghent [9] Try: Penalty Try, Kettlewell, Unknown x 1 Con: Butler 2 Drop: McKenzie Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Mincham 5 May Devonport 0–12 Athletic Devonport Domain   3:00 [10] Try: Nicholson, Miller, Bert Avery, Craddock Dufty Referee: Les Bull Round 2 12 May Marist 11–5 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Stevens, A McNamara, Billy Ghent Con: Bill Stormont [11] Try: Wally Somers Con: Clarrie Polson Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Les Bull 12 May Athletic 37–8 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Nicholson, George Yardley 2, Lonergan 2, Craddock Dufty 4, Bert Avery 2 Con: Craddock Dufty 2 [12] Try: McKenzie, J McLean Con: McKenzie Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Len Farrant 12 May Devonport 10–24 City Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: W Scott, Webb Con: Webb 2 [13] Try: V Thomas, Ben Davidson, Mike Flynn, G Cargill, C Mitchell, H Hawkes Con: Mike Flynn 3 Referee: W Mincham Round 3 26 May Marist 24–9 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Johnson, Bill Stormont, McNamara, Stevens Con: Billy Ghent 2, P Gallagher Pen: Bill Stormont 3 [14] Try: W Hanlon Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Attendance: 8,500 Referee: W Murray 26 May Athletic 16–15 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: George Yardley, Ernie Herring, Nicholson, Bert Avery Con: George Yardley, Wilson Hall [15] Try: R Brockliss, Clarrie Polson, A James Con: Clarrie Polson 3 Attendance: 8,500 Referee: A Saunders 26 May City 25–9 Richmond Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: H Hawkes, Ben Davidson 3, C Mitchell, George Davidson 2 Con: Bill Davidson, Mike Flynn [16] Try: McDonald Con: McDonald Pen: McDonald 2 Referee: Vause round 4 2 June City 25–2 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Jack Keenan, George Davidson 2, H Hawkes, Maurice Wetherill, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Maurice Wetherill 2 [17] Pen: Clarrie Polson Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Gallagher 2 June Athletic 20–5 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Nicholson, Lee, Bert Avery, Ernie Herring Con: Craddock Dufty 4 [18] Try: McLure Con: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Mincham 2 June Devonport 12–3 Richmond Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Bert Laing, Jim O'Brien, Johnston, M Scott [19] Try: Hunter Referee: Les Bull Round 5 9 June Athletic 9–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Wilson Hall Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 [20] Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Gallagher 9 June City 25–0 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Maurice Wetherill, Jack Keenan, V Thomas, Mitchell, H Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson 4 Pen: Bill Davidson [21] Attendance: 2,500 Referee: L Neild 9 June Devonport 9–5 Newton Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: A Godick, Wheeler, Smith [22] Try: H McNeil Con: Clarrie Polson Referee: T Hill Round 6 16 June Marist 15–5 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Nelson Bass, Foss, Stevens Con: Bill Stormont 3 [23] Try: H Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson Attendance: 6,500 Referee: Les Bull 16 June Newton 23–9 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: E Watson, Clarrie Polson 2, A Clarke, Peters 2, L O'Donnell Con: Clarrie Polson [24] Try: Penalty Try Con: McDonald Pen: McDonald 2 Attendance: 6,500 Referee: L Bouvaird 16 June Devonport 5–13 Ponsonby Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Bert Laing Con: Webb [25] Try: Bill Walsh, W Hanlon, Wilson Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: W Murray round 7 23 June City 7–0 Athletic Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson (mark) [26] Attendance: 8,000 Referee: W Murray 23 June Ponsonby 14–12 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: McClure, Williams, Frank Delgrosso, Sam Lowrie Con: Frank Delgrosso [27] Try: McKenzie, Butler Pen: McDonald (pen & mark), Unknown (pen) Attendance: 8,000 Referee: L Hemming 23 June Devonport 13–18 Marist Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Jim O'Brien, Johnston, Probert Con: Harper, Webb [28] Try: McNamara, Billy Ghent, P Gallagher 3, Stevens Referee: A Gallagher Round 8 Ponsonby defaulted their match with Newton after they could only manage 8 players. 30 June Athletic 14–8 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ernie Herring 2, Lee, Graham Con: Craddock Dufty [29] Try: A Harper, Smith Pen: Charles Hand Attendance: 2,000 Referee: W Mincham 30 June Newton WBD – LBD Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 [30] Referee: Saunders 30 June Marist 20–3 Richmond Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Try: P Gallagher, Bill Stormont, McNamara, Nelson Bass, Stevenson, Billy Ghent Con: Bill Stormont [31] Try: S McLean Referee: A Nield Round 9 7 July Devonport 13–10 City Victoria Park 1   3:00 Try: Jim O’Brien, Bert Laing, A Godick Con: C Garrett Pen: C Garrett (mark) [32] Try: H Hawkes, Mitchell Con: W Flynn Pen: W Flynn Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Bert Gallagher 7 July Marist 16–4 Newton Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: P Gallagher, Bill Stormont, Johnson, McNamara Con: Bill Stormont, Stevens [33] Pen: Clarrie Polson (pen & mark) Referee: W Murray 7 July Athletic 22–5 Richmond Auckland Domain 3   3:00 Try: Bert Avery, Miller 2, Timmins, Craddock Dufty, Unknown x 1 (either Bert Avery or Monteith) Con: Wilson Hall, Unknown x 1 [34] Try: McKenzie Pen: Butler Referee: Les Bull round 10 Richmond defaulted their match with City as they had a large number of players injured or ill. 14 July Athletic 11–5 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Graham, Bert Avery, Webb Con: Craddock Dufty [35] Try: Watson Pen: Clarrie Polson Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Les Bull 14 July Marist 14–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: John Lang, Stevens 2, P Gallagher Pen: Nelson Bass (mark) [36] Try: McLure, E McGregor Con: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 2,500 Referee: A Saunders 14 July City WBD – LBD Richmond Auckland Domain 4   3:00 [37] Referee: L Nield round 11 21 July City 35–3 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: G Cargill, Bill Davidson, F Wilson, George Davidson 2, Ben Davidson, H Hawkes, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson 2, Maurice Wetherill, H Hawkes [38] Try: Peters Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Mincham 21 July Devonport 19–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: A Harper, Stan Webb 2, Johnson, Allan Seagar Con: A Harper, Johnson [39] Try: Hyland, Kettlewell Con: McDonald Pen: McDonald Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Bert Gallagher 21 July Athletic 17–9 Ponsonby Otahuhu 1   3:00 Try: Harry Francis, Craddock Dufty, Ernie Herring, Kirkland, Graham Con: Wilson Hall [40] Try: Williams 2, Black Referee: W Ripley Round 12 28 July Athletic 7–6 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Bert Avery Pen: George Yardley, Craddock Dufty [41] Try: Hec Brisbane, Billy Ghent Referee: W Murray 28 July City 39–2 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, Bill Davidson, F Wilson, Alf Townsend, George Davidson 2, H Hawkes, G Cargill Con: Bill Davidson, George Davidson, Mike Flynn, H Hawkes 2, Wilcox [42] Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: Les Bull 28 July Devonport 22–8 Newton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: A Godick 3, Charles Hand, Stan Webb, Johnson Con: Unknown x 1, Neville St George [43] Try: A Clarke, Lou Brown Con: Clarrie Polson Referee: Bert Gallagher Round 13 11 August City 14–3 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: George Davidson, F Wilson, Alf Townsend, Bill Davidson Con: H Hawkes [44] Try: Bill Stormont Attendance: 7,000 Referee: S Nield 11 August Devonport 8–4 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Bert Laing, Wheeler Con: Charles Hand [45] Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Ripley 11 August Richmond 14–5 Newton Victoria Park   3:00 Try: McDonald, Campney Con: McDonald 2 Pen: McDonald, McKenzie [46] Try: Lou Brown Con: Clarrie Polson Referee: B Bouvaird Round 14 The match between City and Athletic saw two forwards ordered off, one from each team. Hec McDonald the future Kiwi debuted for City in the match after being drawn to Auckland from the Waikato. 18 August City 11–8 Athletic Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Bill Davidson 2, Ben Davidson Con: Bill Davidson [47] Try: Bert Avery 2 Con: George Yardley Attendance: 7,500 Referee: W Ripley 18 August Marist 20–16 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: B Foss 2, Stevens, Bill Stormont Con: Stevens 2, Billy Ghent [48] Try: A Harper, Bert Laing, Harry Douglas, Stan Webb Con: Bert Laing, Stan Webb Attendance: 7,500 Referee: G McGowatt 18 August Ponsonby 39–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: McLure, Riley, W Shirley 2, Frank Delgrosso, Mormon, Henderson, Sam Lowrie, Wilfred McNeil Con: Frank Delgrosso 2, Sam Lowrie, Wilfred McNeil, Thomas McClymont 2 [49] Try: McLean Con: McDonald Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Les Bull championship final 25 August City 8–7 Athletic Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: F Wilson, Maurice Wetherill Pen: Bill Davidson [50] Try: Bert Avery Pen: Craddock Dufty 2 Attendance: 11,500 Referee: Bert Gallagher Roope Rooster knockout competition The Roope Rooster competition was interesting as Ponsonby went on to win it despite being un-competitive in the First Grade competition. Thomas McClymont and Bill Walsh emerged from retirement, and Ivan Littlewood transferred back to the club from Waikato where he had moved, to bolster their team for the Roope Rooster competition. They defeated Richmond and Marist comprehensively before beating a slightly weakened City team (with Maurice Wetherill suffering from influenza, and Bill Davidson with a leg injury) in the final 14–8. Round 1 Athletic had a forward ordered off early in their match with Devonport United but still managed to lead at halftime before conceding the lead and the match in the second half. 1 September Devonport 21–16 Athletic Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: A Harper, A Godick, Wheeler, Bert Laing 2 Con: Charles Hand, Bert Laing Pen: Charles Hand [51] Try: Bert Avery, Miller Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Les Bull 1 September Marist 43–20 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Bill Stormont 4, Hec Brisbane 3, John Lang, B Foss Con: Stevens 6, Hec Brisbane Pen: Bill Stormont [52] Try: Clarrie Polson, Watson, L Williams, Wally Somers Con: Clarrie Polson, Unknown x 1 Pen: Clarrie Polson, Clark Attendance: 5,000 Referee: B Bouvaird 1 September Ponsonby 43–18 Richmond Auckland Domain   3:00 Try: Tim Peckham 2, Frank Delgrosso 2, Thomas McClymont, Ivan Littlewood 3, McMahon Con: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont 3, Ivan Littlewood 3, W Hanlon [53] Try: Butler 3, Barber Con: McNeil 2 Pen: McNeil Referee: W Murray Semi finals 8 September City 49–12 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: F Wilson 2, Sam Crewther, Ben Davidson, Casey, George Davidson 3, Maurice Wetherill 2, H Hawkes 2, Hec McDonald Con: George Davidson 3, S Crewther, H Hawkes [54] Try: Harry Douglas, Smith Con: C Hand, Neville St George Pen: C Hand Attendance: 6,000 Referee: W Murray 8 September Ponsonby 34–12 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Donovan 2, Tim Peckham 2, Wilfred McNeil, Bill Walsh Con: Thomas McClymont 3, Ivan Littlewood Pen: Thomas McClymont, Frank Delgrosso 2 Drop: Eric Grey [55] Try: Kirkland, Nelson Con: Bill Stormont, John Lang Pen: Bill Stormont Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Bert Gallagher Final 15 September Ponsonby 14–3 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Thomas McClymont, Ivan Littlewood Con: Thomas McClymont Pen: Thomas McClymont 3 [56] Try: Ben Davidson Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Bert Gallagher Top try scorers and point scorers These lists include tries and points scored in the First Grade competition and the Roope Rooster competition only. A Godick of the Devonport who scored 6 tries during the season later moved to Fiji to live and help promote the game of rugby union in the islands there.[57] Rank Player Team Tries 1 Bert Avery Athletic 12 1 George Davidson City Rovers 12 3 Ben Davidson City Rovers 11 4 H Hawkes City Rovers 10 5 Bill Stormont Marist Old Boys 9 6 Stevens City Rovers 8 6 P Gallagher Marist Old Boys 8 8 Bert Laing Devonport United 7 8 Craddock Dufty Athletic 7 8 Wilson Ponsonby United 7 11 A Godick Devonport United 6 12 Frank Delgrosso Newton Rangers 5 12 Clarrie Polson City Rovers 5 12 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 5 12 Ernie Herring Athletic 5 12 B Foss Marist Old Boys 5 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Mark Drop Goal Points 1 Craddock Dufty Athletic 7 10 9 0 0 59 2 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 5 8 9 0 0 49 3 Clarrie Polson Newton Rangers 5 10 4 1 0 45 4 George Davidson City Rovers 12 4 0 0 0 44 5 Bill Davidson City Rovers 5 11 3 0 0 43 5 Bill Stormont Marist Old Boys 9 6 2 0 0 43 7 Stevens Marist Old Boys 8 9 0 0 0 42 8 H Hawkes City Rovers 10 5 0 0 0 40 9 Bert Avery Athletic 12 0 0 0 0 36 10 McDonald Richmond 2 7 6 1 0 34 Other club matches and lower grades Athletic v Wednesday representative team During the season a Wednesday afternoon competition was played and it was decided to play a match between Athletic who had a bye and a representative team from that competition as curtain-raiser to the City Rovers – Marist Old Boys match. 11 August Athletic 9–5 Wednesday Representative Team Carlaw Park 1   2:00 Try: Webb, Bert Avery, A Yardley [58] Try: Halliday Pen: Halliday Labour Day Carnival and charity sevens tournament On 20 October there was a carnival held at Carlaw Park with 7 a-side football on one field and seven-a-side rugby league on the other. There were three first round matches played with Richmond, Athletic A, and Devonport victorious. Richmond received a bye in the semi-finals and met Athletic in the final who they defeated 5 points to 0. The following weekend another seven-a-side tournament was held at Carlaw Park to raise money for the Takapuna Orphanage which was destroyed by fire. Unfortunately the weather was particularly bad in the morning which had an effect on the attendance with only 1,000 spectators. The teams were supposed to composed of senior players but in reality were largely made up of junior players. Seven-a-side carnival results Date Score Score Venue First Round 20 Oct [59] Richmond 2 Athletic B 0 Carlaw Park First Round 20 Oct Athletic A 5 Marist Old Boys 3 Carlaw Park First Round 20 Oct Devonport 10 Ponsonby 6 Carlaw Park Semi Final 20 Oct Athletic A 6 Devonport 3 Carlaw Park Final 20 Oct Richmond 5 Athletic A 0 Carlaw Park Seven-a-side tournament results Date Score Score Venue Attendance First Round 27 Oct [60] Devonport 21 Athletic 3 Carlaw Park 1,000 First Round 27 Oct Ponsonby 9 City 0 Carlaw Park Semi Final 27 Oct Devonport 14 Marist Old Boys 8 Carlaw Park Final 27 Oct Devonport WBD Ponsonby LBD Carlaw Park Lower grade clubs There were 6 lower grades in 1923, though the sixth grade was split into A and B divisions once again, and one of the grades was a cadets grade. Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold: Second Grade: Athletic, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Epsom, Ihumatao (misspelled as Ihumata in the newpapers), Kingsland, Mangere, Marist Old Boys, Newton, Otahuhu, Ponsonby, and Richmond Third Grade: City, Coromandel, Devonport, Ellerslie, Ihumatao, Kingsland, Manukau, Marist, Parnell, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby, Richmond, and Victoria Cruising Club. Fourth Grade: Athletic, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Kingsland, Mangere, Manukau, Marist, Newton, Otahuhu, Parnell Fifth Grade: City, Manukau, Marist, Newton, Northcote, Point Chevalier, Richmond, and Takapuna Sixth Grade A: Athletic, City A, Devonport, Ellerslie, Manukau, Marist, Otahuhu, Parnell A, Parnell B, Ponsonby A, Richmond Sixth Grade B: Athletics, City, Ellerslie, Manukau Cruising Club, Marist Parnell, Ponsonby, Richmond Cadet Competition: 22nd Company, 26th Company, 27th Company, 29th Company, 34th Company, 36th A Company, 36th B Company, 49th Company Exhibition matches Richmond traveled to Taumarunui towards the end of the season when they had a bye in the First Grade competition and were victorious against the local side by 14 points to 5. In Round 12 Athletic played a match against representatives of the Wednesday league which was a mid week league competition in Auckland as a curtain-raiser to the City – Marist game. Athletic won by 9 points to 5. On 15 September the Athletic and Parnell 4th grade teams played a match in Whangarei which was the first time and organised game of rugby league had been played in the area. As both of the teams were composed of junior players, the game was not of a high standard and gained little interest. List of Exhibition Matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Exhibition Match 28 July [61] Taumarunui 5 Richmond 14 Taumarunui Exhibition Match 15 Sep [62] Athletic 4th Grade 11 Parnell 4th Grade 9 Kensington Park, Whangarei Exhibition Match 22 Sep [63] Ponsonby 6 City 3 Carlaw Park 7,000 Representative season The Auckland representative side played 5 matches. They started the season with a match against Wellington in which they ran up a huge score, winning by 71 points to 12. Their second match was played mid week against Hamilton, before two games against South Auckland and finishing the season with a game against an Auckland provincial team. Auckland challenged South Auckland for the Northern Union Cup which it had lost to the same opponents in 2022. The match was drawn and so South Auckland retained the cup. Auckland later played an Auckland provincial team and won comfortably in front of 7,000 spectators on Carlaw Park. A curtain-raiser was played between the Referees Association and the Junior Advisory Board, and was won by the former by 10 points to 6. In the final full league fixture of the season Auckland played South Auckland again and were this time victorious 25 to 11. Auckland v Wellington Every single member of the Auckland team scored points aside from Bill Davidson which was ironic given that he was one of Auckland Rugby League's most prolific point scorers. 22 August Auckland 71–12 Wellington Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Godick 3, Ben Davidson 4, Frank Delgrosso 2, Bert Laing 2, V Thomas, Wally Somers, W Hanlon, Bill Stormont, Harry Douglas, Nelson Bass Con: Godick 2, Bert Laing 2, Wilson Hall, Clarrie Polson 3, Wally Somers, Nelson Bass [64] Try: Hedges, Ryan Con: Whittington Pen: Whittington, Greer Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Ripley Auckland v Hamilton In the match with Hamilton which, was played midweek, there were no players from the Ponsonby United and City Rovers clubs available as they were playing the Roope Rooster final on the following Saturday. 12 September Auckland 22–16 Hamilton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Craddock Dufty 2, Clarrie Polson 2, Nelson Bass, Harry Douglas Con: Craddock Dufty, Clarrie Polson [65] Try: McVeay 2, N Vernall, Paki Con: McVeay Pen: McVeay Attendance: 2,000 Referee: W Murray South Auckland v Auckland (Northern Union Challenge Cup) 15 September South Auckland (Waikato) 20–20 Auckland Steele Park, Hamilton   3:00 Try: J Payne 2, Wilson, Lyall Stewart Con: John Dufty 2 Pen: John Dufty [66] Try: Craddock Dufty, Hec Brisbane, Stevens, Webb Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Clarrie Polson 2 Referee: T Hill Auckland v Auckland Province 29 September Auckland 44–15 Auckland Province Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Craddock Dufty, Bert Laing, Ivan Littlewood, Maurice Wetherill, Clarrie Polson, Johnston, Richard Stack, O’Brien, Hec McDonald 2 Con: Craddock Dufty, Ivan Littlewood 2, F Wilson 2, Clarrie Polson 2 [67] Try: Lyall Stewart, Wilson Hall, McNeil Con: S Crewther Pen: J Dufty, S Crewther Attendance: 7000 Referee: W Murray Auckland v South Auckland 13 October Auckland 35–11 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 2, Maurice Wetherill 2, Clarrie Polson, Wally Somers, Hec McDonald Con: Craddock Dufty 3, Clarrie Polson 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty [68] Try: Jackson, J Dufty, Lyall Stewart Drop: G Raynor Attendance: 6,000 Referee: A Saunders Auckland representative matches played and scorers No Name Club Team Play Tries Con Pen Points 1 Clarrie Polson Newton Rangers 5 5 9 0 33 2 Craddock Dufty Athletic 4 4 7 1 28 3 Ben Davidson City Rovers 2 6 0 0 18 4 A Godick Devonport 2 3 2 0 13 5 Hec McDonald City Rovers 2 3 0 0 9 5 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 2 3 0 0 9 5 Bert Laing Devonport United 4 3 0 0 9 8 Wally Somers Newton Rangers 4 2 1 0 8 8 Nelson Bass Marist Old Boys 5 2 1 0 8 10 Ivan Littlewood Ponsonby United 2 1 2 0 7 11 Harry Douglas Devonport United 4 2 0 0 6 11 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 1 2 0 0 6 13 F Wilson City Rovers 3 0 2 0 4 14 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 2 1 0 0 3 14 Jim O'Brien Devonport United 3 1 0 0 3 14 Clarence Webb Devonport United 3 1 0 0 3 14 Stevens Marist Old Boys 2 1 0 0 3 14 Richard Stack Newton Rangers 2 1 0 0 3 14 Johnston Devonport United 1 1 0 0 3 14 V Thomas City Rovers 3 1 0 0 3 14 Bill Stormont Marist Old Boys 2 1 0 0 3 14 W Hanlon Ponsonby United 1 1 0 0 3 23 Wilson Hall Athletic 3 0 1 0 2 24 Billy Ghent Marist Old Boys 2 0 0 0 0 24 J McGregor Athletic 1 0 0 0 0 24 G Yardley Athletic 1 0 0 0 0 24 Bert Avery Athletic 1 0 0 0 0 24 Sherlock Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 24 W Scott Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 24 M McNeil Richmond 1 0 0 0 0 24 McDonald Richmond 2 0 0 0 0 24 Stan Webb Richmond 2 0 0 0 0 References "Championship Final/City Defeat Athletic/Great Contest For Honours". 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The New Zealand Herald. LX (18392). 7 May 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Opening of Season/Wins For Athletic and Marist". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18392). 7 May 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Marist Defeat Newton/Fast, Exciting Games". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18398). 14 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "City and Athletic Win/Fast, Exciting Games". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18398). 14 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "City and Athletic Win/Fast, Exciting Games". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18398). 14 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Marist Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18410). 28 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Athletic 16, Newton 15". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18410). 28 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "City Win From Richmond". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18410). 28 May 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "City Wins From Newton". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18416). 4 June 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Athletic Beat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18416). 4 June 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "Devonport 12 V Richmond 3". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18416). 4 June 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "The Senior Competition/Athletic Defeats Marists". Auckland Star. LIV (137). 11 June 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "The Senior CompetitionWins to City and Devonport". Auckland Star. LIV (137). 11 June 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "The Senior Competition/Wins to City and Devonport". Auckland Star. LIV (137). 11 June 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 1 September 2019. "The Senior Competition/Marists Down City". Auckland Star. LIV (143). 18 June 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "The Senior Competition/Wins to Newton and Ponsonby". Auckland Star. LIV (143). 18 June 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "The Senior Competition/Wins to Newton and Ponsonby". Auckland Star. 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Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Contests/Devonport Beat Athletic". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18494). 3 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Contests/Marist and Ponsonby Win". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18494). 3 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Contests/Marist and Ponsonby Win". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18494). 3 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Competition/City Outclasses Devonport". Auckland Star. LIV (216). 10 September 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Competition/Ponsonby Beats Marist". Auckland Star. LIV (216). 10 September 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Roope Rooster Final/Ponsonby Defeat City/Fast, Exciting Game". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18506). 17 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "The Game in the Islands/Progress in Fiji". Auckland Star. LXVI (188). 10 August 1935. p. 21. Retrieved 22 March 2020. "Wednesday Representatives". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18476). 12 August 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 21 March 2020. "Labour Day Tournament/Richmond Wins Final". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18536). 22 October 1923. p. 5. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "A Mixed Programme/Devonport Wins Seven A Side". Auckland Star. LIV (258). 29 October 1923. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Richmond v Taumarunui". Auckland Star. LIV (180). 26 July 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Auckland at Whangarei". Auckland Star. LIV (222). 17 September 1923. p. 10. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Ponsonby Defeats City/Win by Six Points to Three". Auckland Star. LIV (228). 24 September 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Auckland V Wellington". Auckland Star. LIV (201). 23 August 1923. p. 10. Retrieved 21 March 2020. "Auckland Defeats Hamilton/22 Points to 16 in Good Game". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18503). 12 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 20 March 2020. "Northern Union Cup". Auckland Star. LIV (222). 17 September 1923. p. 10. Retrieved 3 September 2019. "Auckland Beats Province/In Match of Big Scoring". Auckland Star. LIV (234). 1 October 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Close of the Season/Auckland 35; S. Auckland 11". The New Zealand Herald. LX (18530). 15 October 1923. p. 10. Retrieved 4 September 2019. External links Auckland Rugby League Official Site