1928 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1928 Auckland Rugby League season was its 19th. Devonport United won the Senior A Championship for the first time under the Devonport United name, though they had won it twice before as North Shore Albions, prior to the merger with Sunnyside. Marist Old Boys won the Roope Rooster Trophy for the first time. This was their second major trophy after winning the championship in 1924. They also went on to defeat Devonport to win the Stormont Shield.

Season news and summary

Senior competition

The senior club season featured over 110 matches through various competitions and did not finish until late October when suburban cricket competitions had already begun.

Grafton Athletic won the Senior B Division competition going undefeated season after they had been relegated the previous season, though they were beaten in the promotion relegation match with Ellerslie meaning they would have to stay there for another season. Point Chevalier defeated Grafton in the Stallard Cup final which was the Senior B knockout competition. The season was notable for the number of teams which played sides from other areas. Ponsonby, Richmond, Parnell, and the Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers all played sides from north Auckland and the Waikato.

Mt Albert Club formed

Mt Albert held their first meeting at St George's Hall in Mt Albert on the evening of the 3rd of April. Ralph Wilson chaired the meeting and George Rhodes, chairman of the Auckland Rugby League was present. It was decided that they would form a club in the Mt Albert area though they did not decide on a name at this time. They would enter teams in the third and fourth grades.[1] During the season Auckland Rugby League made a grant of £3 to Mount Albert for a dressing shed.[2]

Representative program

It was a very busy season, with ten representative fixtures including matches against the touring England team. Ernie Asher, Edwin Vincent Fox, and Bert Avery were appointed selectors for the representative team for the season.

Annual general meeting

At the annual general meeting of Auckland Rugby League it was noted that out of the 28 playing days during the 1927 season thirteen of them were played in wet weather; however, crowds were still good and they were happy with the growth of the game. Further developments at Carlaw Park were planned, consisting of "conveniences for ladies…extra accommodation… for players, and three more dressing rooms" at a cost of £60. There was a lengthy discussion about Ellerslie's application to join the A Grade. They had won the B Grade competition and defeated the last placed Grafton from A Grade.[3] The annual general meeting was held at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on Swanson Street.[4]

Thistle Cup

The Management Committee announced at the midway mark of the senior club season that the Thistle Cup would be awarded to the A or B grade team that had scored the most points in the second round of competition. If two teams were tied then the trophy would be awarded to the team which had scored the most points for the whole season.[5]

Ground availability

An ongoing issue for many clubs in Auckland was the availability of playing fields as the number of teams grew. During the season Northcote opened a new field at Stafford Park which is still in existence adjacent to State Highway 1 just north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Devonport also had a deputation present at the Devonport Borough Council meeting on 10 May to ask about the shortage of grounds in the area. The club asked for permission to use some of the spare cricket grounds for matches. Mayor E. Aldridge said there would be a ground available at Stanley Bay.[6]

Rule changes

After Round 5 the issue of time keeping in matches at Carlaw Park was raised at the weekly Management Committee meeting. The bell had been rung in the match between Richmond and Devonport at Carlaw Park before the ball was dead which was against previously arranged rules. Agreement could not be reached on whether the timekeeper or referee should be responsible for calling time. In the end it was decided that official timekeepers should attend the Referees' Association meeting for instructions.[7]

It was noted that the dead ball area on both fields at Carlaw Park had been reduced from 12 yards to 8 yards in accordance with the laws of rugby league.[8]

A rule change came into effect during the season after the annual meeting of the English Rugby League. They decided that no forward at any time in the scrum could have both feet off the ground. Also forwards could not drop to one knee to attempt to hook the ball. The game in New Zealand would adhere to these rules.[9]

Richard Stack benefit matches

The opening weekend of the season saw four first grade matches played at Carlaw Park, though these matches were not part of the competition. The round was dedicated to Richard Stack (commonly known as Dick Stack) of the Newton Rangers who had suffered a broken leg in the Stormont Shield final the previous season and the injury was so bad Auckland Hospital staff were forced to amputate it. This meant that he was unable to continue in his profession and so the league fundraised so that he was able to start his own business. A total of £500 was taken at the gates. The day also featured a program of boxing matches with the prizes donated back to Stack. After all the accounts were balanced it was worked out that the fund for Stack totalled £610 12/3. An oddity of the games themselves was the low scoring nature and that all four losing teams failed to register a single point. Given the timing in the season and the fact they were for charity and competition points they were largely treated as practice matches with the City Rovers side using 18 players.[10]

	21 April	Ponsonby	13–0	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:30	Try: Lou Hutt, George Gardiner, Victor Fagan Con: George Gardiner, Langley	[11]		Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull

	21 April	Marist	3–0	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	2:00	Try: Kirkland	[12]		Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Mincham

	21 April	Richmond	10–0	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:30	Try: Unknown x 2 Con: Unknown x 2	[13]		Attendance: 10,000 Referee: H McKubrey

	21 April	Grafton	2–0	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
		Pen: R Longville	[14]		Attendance: 10,000 Referee: P Rogers

Monteith Shield (First Grade Championship)

A Division standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts Devonport United 12 9 0 3 224 149 18 Richmond Rovers 12 7 1 4 143 132 15 Newton Rangers 12 7 0 5 143 138 14 Ponsonby United 12 5 2 5 154 144 12 Marist Old Boys 12 5 1 6 154 170 11 City Rovers 12 4 0 8 144 164 8 Ellerslie United 12 3 0 9 102 162 6 A Division fixtures Round 1 saw the newly promoted Ellerslie upset Ponsonby. The season was ceremonially kicked off by Miss Peggy Rhodes, daughter of George Rhodes, the chairman of Auckland Rugby League Management Committee. Round 1 28 April Richmond 18–10 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:15 Try: McCarthy 2, Turton, R Jenkinson Con: L Taylor 3 [15] Try: M Herewini, Alan Clarke Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 5,500 Referee: W Mincham 28 April Devonport 24–6 City Carlaw Park 2   3:15 Try: Len Scott 2, S Rule, S Casey, Alf Scott, Saxon Con: Allan Seagar 2 Pen: Allan Seagar [16] Try: Perry, N Pascoe Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Les Bull 28 April Ellerslie 15–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Davis, Allen, Dance Con: Shand 3 [17] Try: Tim Peckham, J Payne Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Vic Simpson Round 2 5 May Richmond 15–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:15 Try: R Jenkinson 2, H Stewart Con: L Taylor Pen: L Taylor 2 [18] Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Les Bull 5 May Devonport 12–11 Newton Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Len Scott 2, Preston, Saxon [19] Try: Hayden, Henry, Murray Con: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 6,000 Referee: H McKubrey 5 May Ponsonby 19–6 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Goodley, Tim Peckham, Victor Fagan, J Payne 2 Con: Tim Peckham 2 [20] Try: J Iveson, Lawrence Attendance: 6,000 Referee: P Rogers Round 3 12 May Devonport 31–22 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott 4, Saxon, Horace Dixon 2 Con: Alf Scott 2, E Ruby 2 Drop: L Simons [21] Try: Sweeney, Dick Moisley, Graham, Hec Brisbane Con: Cronin 4 Pen: Cronin Attendance: 6,000 Referee: W Mincham 12 May Newton 22–13 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Trevor Hall, R Purdy, Murray, M Little Con: Craddock Dufty 4 Pen: Craddock Dufty [22] Try: Lou Hutt, J Payne, Victor Fagan Con: Tim Peckham 2 Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Arthur Rae 12 May City 26–3 Ellerslie Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: Perry, Lawrence 2, Fraser Webberley, N Pascoe, Hamilton Con: Horne 3 Pen: Horne [23] Try: Ivan Littlewood Referee: Les Bull Round 4 It was decided by Auckland Rugby League after the 3rd round that they would no longer play curtain-raiser matches by Senior A Grade teams at 1:30pm. This was due to players having difficulty getting to the ground on time as they often worked on Saturdays and had to travel from the outer suburbs. A recent example had been the Newton Rangers v Devonport match where several Newton players had arrived late and the match was so late kicking off that the second half lasted only 25 minutes instead of 40.[24] L Letton, a well known rugby player transferred from rugby union where he had been playing for Marist, and scored 2 tries for Ponsonby on debut in their 18–14 loss to Marist. 19 May Devonport 12–7 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Alf Scott, E Ruby Con: Wells Pen: Wells 2 [25] Try: Colebrook Pen: L Taylor 2 Referee: P Rogers 19 May Marist 18–14 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane, Johnson 2, Wilf Hassan Con: Charles Gregory 3 [26] Try: Leslie Letton 2 Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso 3 Referee: B Emirali 19 May Ellerslie 5–13 Newton Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Davis Con: Shand [27] Try: M Little, Roy Hardgrave 2 Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty Referee: H McKubrey Round 5 26 May Ponsonby 10–6 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Moore, Frank Delgrosso Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso [28] Pen: L Taylor 3 Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Bull 26 May Marist 26–8 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Dick Moisley 4, Hec Brisbane, Jack Keenan Con: Charles Gregory 4 [29] Try: Bob Crewther, Cooke Con: Sam Crewther Attendance: 4,000 Referee: W Mincham 26 May City 6–3 Newton Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: J Hadley, Lawrence [30] Try: Alan Clarke Referee: H McKubrey Round 6 The match between Richmond and Ellerslie was played on the Kings Birthday holiday as part of the celebrations. 2 June Devonport 21–19 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott, Allan Seagar 2, J Beattie, E Ruby, Saxon Con: Alf Scott 2, Saxon [31] Try: George Gardiner, Lou Hutt, J Payne Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 Attendance: 5,000 Referee: H McKubrey 2 June Marist 39–12 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Cronin, George Batchelor, Hec Brisbane, Dick Moisley, Noble, Sweeney, Phil Brady 2, Graham Con: Charles Gregory 5, Cronin [32] Try: Perry, Lawrence Con: Laurie Barchard Pen: Laurie Barchard Drop: Perry Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Wilfred Simpson 4 June Richmond 6–4 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 1   9:30 Try: L Taylor 2 [33] Pen: Bob Crewther 2 Attendance: 1,500 Referee: A Sanders Round 7 9 June Newton 21–3 Marist Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Murray, Trevor Hall, Rhodes, Purdy, Roy Hardgrave Con: Craddock Dufty 3 [34] Try: George Batchelor Referee: Wilfred Mincham 9 June Richmond 27–18 City Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: L Taylor 2, Stan Prentice, Davis, McCarthy Con: L Taylor 4 Pen: L Taylor 2 [35] Try: Maurice Wetherill 2, Perry, McDonald Con: Laurie Barchard Pen: Laurie Barchard 2 Referee: H Taylor 9 June Devonport 16–3 Ellerslie Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Stan Webb, Len Scott 2, Allan Seagar Con: Alf Scott 2 [36] Try: Speight Referee: P Rogers Following the conclusion of the first round, The New Zealand Herald published the individual points tallies of all the point scorers. This was the first time this had been done. Taylor of Richmond led the standings with 46 points, Len Scott of Devonport had 33, while Craddock Dufty of Newton was third with 26 points.[37] Round 8 23 June Newton 17–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: M Little, Roy Hardgrave, Cammick Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 [38] Try: W Hanlon Con: L Taylor Pen: L Taylor 4 Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Arthur Rae 23 June Ponsonby 22–5 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Leslie Letton 2, Moore, S Usher 2, Horne Con: Tim Peckham, Frank Delgrosso [39] Try: Hemingway Con: Shand Attendance: 3,000 Referee: W Mincham 23 June Devonport 8–6 City Devonport Domain   3:00 Try: Len Scott, Preston Con: Alf Scott [40] Try: Williams, Crouch Referee: Les Bull Round 9 30 June Newton 23–16 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Roy Hardgrave 3, Murray, Wally Somers Con: Craddock Dufty 4 [41] Try: Len Scott 3, J Beattie Con: Alf Scott 2 Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Bull 30 June Richmond 10–9 Marist Carlaw Park 2   2:45 Try: Wheaton, W Hanlon Con: L Taylor 2 [42] Try: George Batchelor, Dick Moisley, Sweeney Attendance: 4,000 Referee: T Hill 30 June Ponsonby 2–0 City Auckland Domain 2   3:00 Pen: Frank Delgrosso [43] Referee: H McKubrey Round 10 7 July Ponsonby 17–3 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Thompson, Frank Delgrosso, Donovan Con: Frank Delgrosso 3 Pen: Frank Delgrosso [44] Try: Trevor Hall Referee: P Rogers 7 July Marist 14–13 Devonport Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane 2, Noble, Jim O’Brien Con: Charles Gregory [45] Try: Len Scott, Allan Seagar, S Rule Con: Allan Seagar, Alf Scott Referee: T Chernside 7 July Ellerslie 22–2 City Carlaw Park 1   1:30 Try: Hemingway, Davis, Speight, Ivan Littlewood Con: Hemingway 3 Pen: Hemingway [46] Pen: Laurie Barchard Referee: H McKubrey Round 11 14 July Richmond 16–14 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: R Jenkinson, G Stewart, L Taylor, Colebrook Con: L Taylor 2 [47] Try: S Rule, J Beattie, Allan Seagar, Len Scott Con: Alf Scott Attendance: 5,000 Referee: W Mincham 14 July Ponsonby 11–11 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Kenneth Peckham, Joseph Peckham, Leslie Letton Con: Frank Delgrosso [48] Try: Noble, Hec Brisbane, Phil Brady Con: Charles Gregory Attendance: 5,000 Referee: B Emirali 14 July Newton 5–2 Ellerslie Auckland Domain 1   3:00 Try: C Rhodes Con: Craddock Dufty [49] Pen: Hemingway Referee: T Hill Round 12 The New Zealand team was playing the 2nd test against England in Dunedin this weekend so all the Auckland players in the New Zealand side were unavailable for their club sides. 18 August Ponsonby 13–13 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: George Gardiner 2, Moore Con: George Gardiner 2 [50] Try: Colebrook, Jones, Dixon Con: L Taylor 2 Referee: H McKubrey 18 August City 31–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Perry, W Hamilton 2, C Reynolds 2, Lawrence 2 Con: Laurie Barchard 4 Pen: Laurie Barchard [51] Try: Alan Clarke Con: Alan Clarke Referee: P Rogers 18 August Ellerslie 11–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Hemingway, V Speight Con: E Crewther [52] Referee: Les Bull Round 13 25 August Devonport 24–6 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Horace Dixon, Jim O’Brien 2, O’Leary, E Ruby, Allan Seagar Con: Alf Scott 2, E Ruby [53] Try: J Payne, Ford Referee: Les Bull 25 August City 14–10 Marist Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Reynolds 2, Lawrence Con: Laurie Barchard [54] Try: Campbell, Petherick Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory Referee: Arthur Rae 25 August Ellerslie 8–10 Richmond Ellerslie Reserve   3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 2 Con: Sam Crewther [55] Try: Swift, L Taylor Con: L Taylor Drop: L Taylor Referee: W Mincham Round 14 1 September Devonport 33–16 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott 2, A Scott, O’Leary, Jim O’Brien, E Ruby, Stan Webb Con: Alf Scott 3, Allan Seagar 2 Drop: Simmonds [56] Try: Allan, Ivan Littlewood Con: Hemingway 2 Pen: Hemingway 3 Referee: P Rogers 1 September City 17–2 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: McLoughlin, J Hadley, Perry, Hadley, Lawrence Con: Horne [57] Drop: L Taylor Referee: W Mincham 1 September Newton 10–2 Marist Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: Roy Hardgrave, M Little Con: M Little Pen: Joy [58] Pen: Charles Gregory Referee: A Saunders Roope Rooster Knockout Competition Marist won the Roope Rooster for 1928 after defeating Ponsonby in a closely contested final. It was the first time they had won the trophy in their history. Round 1 8 September Newton 25–16 City Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Trevor Hall, Wilson, Roy Hardgrave 3 Con: Craddock Dufty 5 [59] Try: Lawrence, Perry, J Iveson, J Hadley Con: Lawrence, Laurie Barchard Referee: W Mincham 8 September Marist 14–9 Richmond Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: George Batchelor, Hec Brisbane, Dick Moisley, McKay Con: Hec Brisbane [60] Try: Paterson Con: L Taylor Pen: L Taylor 2 Referee: H McKubrey 8 September Devonport 12–11 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 1   1:45 Try: O’Leary, Horace Dixon Con: Allan Seagar Pen: Allan Seagar Drop: E Cleaver [61] Try: Ivan Littlewood, Dance, Allen Con: Sam Crewther Referee: Arthur Rae Semi Finals Extra time was played in the Ponsonby match with Newton. Craddock Dufty was tackled into touch going for a try and the match ended a 5–5 draw with a replay required the following weekend. 22 September Newton 5–5 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:15 Try: M Little Con: Craddock Dufty [62] Try: Revell Pen: Frank Delgrosso Referee: P Rogers 22 September Marist 10–5 Devonport Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Johnson, Hec Brisbane Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory [63] Try: Rule Con: Simmons Referee: W Mincham Semi Final Replay 30 September Ponsonby 8–6 Newton Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: J Payne, Lou Hutt Con: Frank Delgrosso [64] Try: M Little, Roy Hardgrave Referee: W Mincham Final 6 October Marist 10–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Noble, Hansen Con: Charles Gregory 2 [65] Try: George Gardiner, Kenneth Peckham Pen: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 7,000 Referee: A Saunders Stormont Memorial Shield Marist won the Stormont Shield (named after their former team mate) for the first time when they defeated the Monteith Shield champions Devonport with a late try by 9 to 8. 13 October Marist 9–8 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane. John Stormont, Hansen [66] Try: O’Leary 2 Con: Simmons Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Bull Labour Day Tournament The ‘Labour Day Tournament’ was played over two days (the official holiday, and the following Saturday). It featured Huntly from the Lower Waikato competition and Pt Chevalier who had won the second grade competition. Marist won the trophy despite having to win two games on the first day, and two more on the second. For their efforts they were awarded £50 in prize money. Round 1 20 October Marist 12–10 Huntly Carlaw Park 1   2:00 Try: George Batchelor, Noble, Hansen, Petherick [67] Try: Gronby, Tom Timms Con: Jones, Rayner 20 October City 11–3 Devonport Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Perry 2, McLaughlin Con: Laurie Barchard [68] Try: O’Leary 20 October Richmond 11–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: Davis, Colebrook, Ted Mincham Con: Carroll [69] Try: Roy Hardgrave Pen: Craddock Dufty 20 October Ponsonby 25–13 Pt Chevalier Carlaw Park 2   4:00 Try: Thompson 2, Frank Delgrosso 2, Kenneth Peckham, Revell, Moore Con: Frank Delgrosso [70] Try: McPherson, Carroll, Monoghan Con: R Purdy 20 October Marist 11–8 Ellerslie Carlaw Park 1   4:00 Try: Phil Brady, Dick Moisley, George Batchelor Con: Noble [71] Try: Ivan Littlewood, Capner Pen: Crewther Semi Finals 27 October Richmond 11–5 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1   2:00 Try: L Taylor 3 Con: L Taylor [72] Try: Crooks Con: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 2,500 27 October Marist 17–12 City Carlaw Park 2   2:00 Try: George Batchelor 3, George Batchelor, Jim O'Brien Con: Charles Gregory [73] Try: Perry 2 Con: Laurie Barchard 2 Pen: Laurie Barchard Attendance: 2,500 Final 27 October Marist 12–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 1   4:00 Try: Jim O'Brien, Graham, George Batchelor, Hec Brisbane [74] Try: Ted Mincham Pen: L Taylor Attendance: 2,500 A Division B Division promotion-relegation match For the second year in a row Ellerslie and Grafton met in a match to decide who would play in the Senior A Division in 1929. Ellerslie scored a converted try in the closing stages of the match to remain in the A Grade. 6 October Ellerslie 15–13 Grafton Carlaw Park 2   3:00 Try: V Speight, Allen, Davis Con: Sam Crewther 2 Pen: Sam Crewther [75] Try: N York, York jun., Allen Con: R Longville Pen: R Longville Attendance: 7,000 Referee: B Emirali Top try scorers and point scorers Top try and point scorers for A Division, Roope Rooster and Labour Day competitions (the three competitions all A Division teams competed in). Rank Player Team Tries 1 Len Scott Devonport United 19 2 Roy Hardgrave Newton Rangers 13 3 Perry City Rovers 11 4 Lawrence City Rovers 10 4 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 10 4 George Batchelor Marist Old Boys 10 7 Dick Moisley Marist Old Boys 9 7 L Taylor Richmond Rovers 9 9 Ivan Littlewood Ellerslie United 8 9 J Payne Ponsonby United 8 11 M Little Newton Rangers 6 11 Allan Seagar Devonport United 6 Rank Player Team Tries Con Pen Drop goal Points 1 L Taylor Richmond Rovers 9 18 16 2 99 2 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 4 13 10 0 58 2 Craddock Dufty Newton Rangers 0 22 7 0 58 4 Len Scott Devonport United 19 0 0 0 57 5 Charles Gregory Marist Old Boys 1 19 3 0 47 6 Alf Scott Devonport United 3 16 0 0 41 7 Roy Hardgrave Newton Rangers 13 0 0 0 39 8 Perry City Rovers 11 0 0 1 35 9 Laurie Barchard City Rovers 0 11 6 0 34 9 Allan Seagar Devonport United 6 6 2 0 34 B Grade standings and results Final B Grade standings Team Pld W D L F A Pts Grafton Athletic 12 10 2 0 145 69 22 Otahuhu United 12 6 1 4 117 109 13 Mangere 12 6 1 5 133 83 13 Kingsland 12 6 0 6 128 105 12 Parnell 12 5 1 6 118 127 11 Point Chevalier 12 3 1 8 97 131 7 Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 12 1 0 10 46 160 2 First Grade B Division fixtures Round 1 saw the opening of the new municipal ground (Stafford Park) at Northcote prior to Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers match with Point Chevalier. The ground was opened by Northcote Mayor A. E. Greenslade who kicked off the ball to start the match. During the season Otahuhu asked the Otahuhu Borough Council for permission to take up a collection at the Princes St. Reserve and they also asked the council if they would erect a building. The council agreed to the collection but declined in regards to the building.[76] Prior to the Round 11 matches W. Mapi, the halfback of the Mangere team died after a short illness. The team wore white armbands for their match with Newton in honour of him. Grafton Athletic won the competition after an undefeated season. 1928 B Grade Results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 28 April[77] Parnell 13 Mangere 5 Carlaw Park # 2, 3:15pm – 28 April Northcote 10 Point Chevalier 9 Stafford Park, Northcote, 3pm[78] – 28 April Otahuhu 13 Grafton 15 Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm Round 2 5 May[79] Grafton 12 Parnell 12 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 5 May Mangere 8 Kingsland 6 Auckland Domain # 3, 3pm – 5 May Point Chevalier 5 Otahuhu 5 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 3 12 May[80] Grafton 12 Kingsland 5 Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm – 12 May Otahuhu 14 Northcote 0 Victoria Park, 3pm – 12 May Point Chevalier 8 Parnell 14 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 4 19 May[81] Grafton 11 Mangere 8 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 19 May Kingsland 30 Point Chevalier 7 Auckland Domain # 5, 3pm – 19 May Parnell 7 Northcote 5 Victoria Park # 2, 3pm Round 5 26 May[82] Northcote 5 Kingsland 6 Stafford Park, Northcote, 3pm – 26 May Otahuhu 8 Parnell 5 Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm – 26 May Point Chevalier 5 Mangere 11 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 6 2 June[83] Mangere 13 Northcote 5 Victoria Park, 3pm – 2 June Otahuhu 3 Kingsland 8 Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm – 2 June Point Chevalier 0 Grafton 12 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 7 9 June[84] Northcote 2 Grafton 24 Stafford Park, Northcote, 3pm – 9 June Otahuhu 7 Mangere 5 Sturges Park, Otahuhu, 3pm – 9 June Kingsland 19 Parnell 10 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm Round 8 23 June[85] Point Chevalier 17 Northcote 3 Point Chevalier, 3pm – 23 June Grafton 15 Otahuhu 0 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm – 23 June Mangere 32 Parnell 18 Mangere Trotting Club, 3pm Round 9 30 June[86] Otahuhu 22 Point Chevalier 9 Sturges Park, Otahuhu, 3pm – 30 June Grafton 13 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm – 30 June Kingsland 6 Mangere 3 Otahuhu Trotting Track, 3pm Round 10 7 July[87] Grafton 8 Kingsland 3 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 7 July Otahuhu ? Northcote ? Victoria Park, 3pm – 7 July Point Chevalier 8 Parnell 5 Outer Domain, 3pm Round 11 14 July[88] Grafton 3 Mangere 3 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm – 14 July Parnell 18 Northcote 3 Victoria Park, 3pm – 14 July Point Chevalier 19 Kingsland 8 Point Chevalier, 3pm Round 12 18 Aug[89] Otahuhu 14 Parnell 8 Auckland Domain # 5, 3pm – 18 Aug Kingsland 16 Northcote 5 Outer Domain, 3pm – 18 Aug Mangere W Point Chevalier L Victoria Park, 3pm Round 13 25 Aug[90] Grafton 11 Point Chevalier 10 Victoria Park # 2, 3pm – 25 Aug Mangere 27 Northcote 3 Auckland Domain # 2, 3pm – 25 Aug Otahuhu 25 Kingsland 21 Auckland Domain # 6, 3pm Round 14 1 Sep[91] Grafton 9 Northcote 5 Victoria Park, 3pm – 1 Sep Mangere 18 Otahuhu 6 Auckland Domain, 3pm – 1 Sep Parnell WBD Kingsland LBD Outer Domain, 3pm Stallard Cup Knockout Competition In the first round of matches the referee (Mr. Hill) in the Otahuhu v Kingsland game stopped play early and awarded the game to Kingsland due to the rough play of the Otahuhu side. There were several fights during the match and the referee had difficulty keeping spectators off the field. According to the writer in the NZ Herald this “was not the first time the spectators at Otahuhu had made trouble, and they were really the cause of the players getting out of hand”.[92] The final saw Grafton and Point Chevalier tied at the end of normal time necessitating two extra periods of five minutes before Monaghan of Point Chevalier kicked a penalty goal to win the cup. This handed Point Chevalier their first ever senior trophy. 1928 Stallard Cup Results Date Score Score Venue Round 1 8 Sep[93] Point Chevalier 15 Mangere 8 Carlaw Park # 2, 1:45pm – 8 Sep Grafton 10 Northcote 2 Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm – 8 Sep Otahuhu 5 Kingsland 8 Otahuhu, 3pm Semi Final 22 Sep[94] Point Chevalier 13 Parnell 6 Point Chevalier, 3pm Semi Final 22 Sep[95] Grafton 18 Kingsland 10 Carlaw Park # 1, 1:45pm Final 30 Sep[96] Point Chevalier 15 Grafton 13 Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm Other club matches and lower grades Lower grade clubs [97] Grades were made of the following teams with the winning teams in bold: Second Grade: Akarana, Devonport, Mangere, Newton, Northcote, Ponsonby, Remuera, Richmond (Won by Devonport who were 6 pts clear of Remuera, Ponsonby and Newton), (Newton won the knockout competition) Third Grade Open: Athletic, Devonport A, Devonport B, Ellerslie, Glen Eden, Kingsland, Mount Albert, New Lynn, Northcote, Otahuhu, Parnell, Ponsonby, Richmond (Won by Richmond, 2 pts clear or Mount Albert) (Richmond won the knockout competition) Third Grade Intermediate: City, Devonport, New Lynn, Newton, Newmarket, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby, Remuera, Richmond (Won by Richmond, 8pts clear of Ponsonby), (Richmond won the knockout competition) Fourth Grade: Akarana, City, Devonport, Ellerslie, Northcote, Otahuhu, Point Chevalier, Ponsonby, Remuera, Richmond (Won by Richmond, 2 pts clear of Remuera, Richmond also won the knockout compeitition) Fifth Grade: Akarana, Athletic, Brown Brothers and Geddes, Devonport, Mount Albert, Richmond (Won by Akarana, 6pts clear of Devonport), (Devonport beat Richmond 15–7 in the knockout final) Sixth Grade A: Akarana, Devonport, Ellerslie, Kingsland, Marist, Newmarket, Northcote, Otahuhu, Richmond, Point Chevalier (Won by Point Chevalier, 6pts clear of Richmond, Richmond won the knockout competition. Sixth Grade B: Akarana, City, Devonport, Marist, Newmarket, Newton, Point Chevalier, Richmond (Won by Point Chevalier, 5 pts clear of Marist, Marist won the knockout competition. Primary Schools: Ellerslie, Mangere, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Newton, Onehunga, Onehunga Convent, Otahuhu, Otahuhu B, Papatoetoe, Richmond (Otahuhu won the final of the school knockout competition after defeating Onehunga Convent 13 to 3). Richmond were awarded the Davis’ Points Shield for most junior grade wins. They gained 75 points, with Devonport finishing second. Exhibition matches Richmond travelled north to play Hikurangi in the first rugby league match in the area. The local rugby team had become dissatisfied with their treatment by the rugby union and had switched to the league code. Richmond won the match in poor weather by 5 points to 0. List of exhibition matches Date Score Score Venue Attendance Exhibition Match 7 July[98] Hikurangi 0 Richmond 5 Hikurangi Exhibition Match 8 Aug[99] Hikurangi 13 Richmond B 17 Hikurangi Exhibition Match 1 Sep[100] Hikurangi 10 Ponsonby 22 Hikurangi Exhibition Match 1 Sep[101] Hikurangi Juniors 5 Ponsonby Juniors 11 Hikurangi Exhibition Match 1 Sep[102] Ponsonby 17 Hikurangi 14 Carlaw Park Exhibition Match 15 Sep[103] Hikurangi 23 Parnell 6 Hikurangi 400 Exhibition Match 6 Oct[104] North Auckland 9 Auckland Selection 33 Whangarei 1,000 Exhibition Match 13 Oct[105] Northcote 5 Hamilton 3 Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm Exhibition Match 20 Oct[106] Mount Albert 3rd Grade 5 Huntly Juniors 15 Carlaw Park # 1, 1pm Representative season The first representative fixture of the season was played against South Auckland for the Northern Union Challenge Cup which the visitors had won from Auckland in 1927. Auckland won the 1928 match by 22 points to 3. The game was played in poor weather and was notable for the number of serious injuries with S. Prentice of Auckland breaking his nose, W. Smith of Huntly suffering a severe back injury, and S. Raynor of Huntly breaking his ribs. All three of them were taken to Auckland Hospital.[107] A midweek trial match was played between the Possibles and Probables in order to select the Auckland team which was due to play the touring England side later in the season. Auckland trounced Canterbury in a Northern Union Cup match by 66 points to 22 with winger Roy Hardgrave (son of former Kiwi Arthur Hardgrave) running in five tries. The match was played in good conditions for the most part and was witnessed by a large crowd of 15,000. A North Island v South Island trial match was played at Carlaw Park. The North Island team fielded a large contingent of Auckland players including Craddock Dufty, Roy Hardgrave, Hec Brisbane, Maurice Wetherill, Stan Prentice, Frank Delgrosso, A. Scott, Lou Hutt, Wally Somers, and Jim O'Brien (Marist). The North Island team was far too good, winning 44 to 8. The following week a Probables v Possibles match was played as part of the selection process for the New Zealand team to play against the touring England side. The two teams featured the following Auckland players (Probables): Craddock Dufty, Len Scott, Hec Brisbane, Allan Seagar, Tim Peckham, Wally Somers, Jim O'Brien (Marist), Trevor Hall, A. Scott, (Possibles): J Beattie, W Hanlon, and E Cleaver. A match was also played by Auckland in Whangarei. This was the first time an Auckland representative team had played in Northland and they were up against a fledgling North Auckland side. The area was relatively lowly populated and it was thought that they could not sustain both competitive rugby union and rugby league sides. Auckland win relatively convincingly and rugby league was to continue to struggle in the area for some time. The final match of the season saw Auckland go down to South Auckland both physically and on the scoreboard by 21 points to 7. The Auckland team was below strength. Representative fixtures and trials Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union C.C.) 16 June Auckland 22–3 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   2:45 Try: Len Scott, Claude List 2, Roy Hardgrave, Lou Hutt, J Payne Con: Craddock Dufty 2 [108] Try: L Williams Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Les Bull Auckland Trial Match 11 July Auckland Probables 14–24 Auckland Possibles Carlaw Park 1   2:30 Try: Tim Peckham, R Jenkinson, J Hadley, Moore Con: Charles Gregory [109] Try: Roy Hardgrave, Maurice Wetherill, Claude List, Stan Prentice 2, Trevor Hall Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso Attendance: 1,500 Referee: H McKubrey Auckland v Canterbury 21 July Auckland 66–26 Canterbury Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Craddock Dufty 3, Claude List 2, Maurice Wetherill, Roy Hardgrave 5, Allan Seagar 3, Stan Prentice 2 Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Allan Seagar, Frank Delgrosso 4, Alan Clarke, Wally Somers [110] Try: P Smith, J Spillane 3, E Consedine, E Spencer Con: B O’Connell, P Smith, E Spencer Pen: R Bond Attendance: 15,000 Referee: R.T. Hill Auckland v South Auckland 25 July Auckland 17–19 South Auckland Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott 2, Claude List, Roy Hardgrave, Alan Clarke Con: Tim Peckham [111] Try: G Raynor, George Tittleton, S Raynor, Brownie Paki Con: S Raynor Pen: D Hall Attendance: 2,500 Referee: W Mincham Inter Island Match 28 July North Island 44–8 South Island Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave 2, Hec Brisbane 3, S Raynor, Frank Delgrosso 2, Lou Hutt, Tom Timms Con: Craddock Dufty, Frank Delgrosso 5 Pen: Craddock Dufty [112] Try: J Spillane, Goodall Con: J Spillane Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Les Bull New Zealand Trial Match 1 August NZ Probables 27–24 NZ Possibles Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Longville 3, Allan Seagar, Wilson 2, R Jenkinson Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Wally Somers [113] Try: J Spillane, Alf Townsend, Quinn, J Payne, Alan Clarke, McOliver Con: J Beattie, Bert Eckhoff Pen: Alan Clarke Referee: H McKubrey England Tour Match The entire Auckland Provincial team were Auckland club players aside from Joe Menzies 8 August Auckland Province 9–14 England Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 [114] Try: Alf Frodsham, Les Fairclough, Emlyn Gwynne, Billo Rees Con: Walter Gowers Attendance: 15,000 Referee: P Rogers England Tour Match 8 August Auckland 15–26 England Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Len Scott, Roy Hardgrave, Alan Clarke Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Drop: Craddock Dufty [115] Try: Alf Ellaby, Jim Brough, Alf Frodsham, Billo Rees 2, Harold Bowman Con: Jim Sullivan 4 Attendance: 25,000 Referee: W Mincham Auckland v Otago (Northern Union C.C.) 15 September Auckland 42–22 Otago Carlaw Park 1   3:00 Try: Roy Hardgrave 3, Len Scott, Hec Brisbane 3, Dick Moisley, E Ruby 2 Con: Craddock Dufty 4, Frank Delgrosso 2 [116] Try: W Clydesdale, R Cusack, J Timlin, T Hicks Con: W Clydesdale 2 Pen: W Clydesdale, Bert Eckhoff 2 Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Les Bull North Auckland v Auckland 6 October North Auckland 9–33 Auckland Kensington Park, Whangarei   3:00 Try: H Connolly, E Cunningham, J Hamilton [117] Try: Claude List, Roy Hardgrave 2, Jones, Trevor Hall, E Ruby, R Jenkinson Con: Craddock Dufty 4, Roy Hardgrave Drop: Craddock Dufty Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Les Bull Auckland v South Auckland 13 October South Auckland 21–7 Auckland Huntly   Try: Unknown x 21 points [118] Try: Unknown x 7 points Auckland representative matches played and scorers No Name Club team Played Tries Con Pen Drop goal Points 1 Craddock Dufty Newton Rangers 5 3 14 0 2 41 1 Roy Hardgrave Newton Rangers 6 13 1 0 0 41 3 Claude List Kingsland 6 6 0 0 0 18 4 Len Scott Devonport United 5 5 0 0 0 15 5 Frank Delgrosso Ponsonby United 3 0 6 0 0 12 6 Allan Seagar Devonport United 4 3 1 0 0 11 7 E Ruby Devonport United 3 3 0 0 0 9 7 Hec Brisbane Marist Old Boys 1 3 0 0 0 9 9 Alan Clarke Newton Rangers 4 2 1 0 0 8 10 Stan Prentice Richmond Rovers 4 2 0 0 0 6 11 Lou Hutt Ponsonby United 5 1 0 0 0 3 11 J Payne Ponsonby United 4 1 0 0 0 3 11 Maurice Wetherill City Rovers 2 1 0 0 0 3 11 Trevor Hall Newton Rangers 5 1 0 0 0 3 11 Dick Moisley Marist Old Boys 1 1 0 0 0 3 11 Jones Richmond Rovers 1 1 0 0 0 3 11 R Jenkinson Richmond Rovers 1 1 0 0 0 3 18 Tim Peckham Ponsonby United 3 0 1 0 0 2 18 Wally Somers Newton Rangers 4 0 1 0 0 2 20 Jim O'Brien Marist Old Boys 3 0 0 0 0 0 20 Alf Scott Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Charles Gregory Marist Old Boys 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Neville St George Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Horace Dixon Devonport United 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 W Hanlon Richmond Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 B Davis Ellerslie 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Rhodes Newton Rangers 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Hamilton City Rovers 1 0 0 0 0 0 Auckland players selected for New Zealand The following Auckland players were selected in the New Zealand team to play the first test versus England at Carlaw Park: C. Dufty (Newton), R. Hardgrave (Newton), C. List (Kingsland), L. Scott (Devonport), M. Wetherill (City), S. Prentice (Richmond), F. Delgrosso (Ponsonby), L. Hutt (Ponsonby), W. Somers (Newton), J. O’Brien (Marist), Reserves: T. Peckham (Ponsonby), and T. Hall (Newton). New Zealand won the test by 17 points to 13 in front of 27,000 spectators.[119] Brisbane who had not been considered for the first test due to injury was selected for the second test to be played in Dunedin and replaced L. Scott in the side. Annual general meetings and club news Details of annual club meetings were as follows, along with notable news during the season. Akarana League Football Club held at Carlaw Park. They stated that the 1927 season had been successful with two of their three teams winning their grades.[120] City Rovers Football Club held at Carlaw Park. Devonport United League Football Club held at the Buffalo Lodge Rooms on 19 March. During the season Devonport asked the Devonport Domain Board for permission to use the football ground for a match on 23 June and for the authority to charge spectators for entry. Permission was granted provided the charge did not exceed 1 shilling.[121] Ellerslie United League Football Club held at their training shed opposite the Ellerslie Railway Station on 26 March. Glen Eden At the Auckland Rugby League's weekly Management Committee meeting in April they decided to give financial assistance to the Glen Eden Club toward paying off its ground.[122] Grafton Athletic Rugby League Football Club held at Leys Institute in Ponsonby.[123] Kingsland Rovers Football Club held at Buffalo Lodge Rooms on 25 March. Mangere United Football Club held at Cook's Hall on 26 March. During the season W. Hapi the halfback of the Mangere senior team died after a short illness. The Mangere team wore white arm bands on the jerseys for their round 11 match at Carlaw Park against Grafton.[124] Marist Old Boys held at Donovan's Gymnasium in Parnell.[125] Mt Albert held their first ever meeting at St George's Hall in Mt Albert. It was decided that they would form a club in Mt Albert although they did not decide on a name at this time. They entered teams in the third and fourth grades.[126] During the season Auckland Rugby League made a grant of £3 to Mount Albert for a dressing shed.[127] New Lynn League Football Club held at Foresters’ Hall, New Lynn on 28 March. Newton Rangers Football Club held at Nairn's Tea Rooms on Karangahape Road. Northcote-Birkenhead Ramblers League Football Club held at Foresters’ Hall, Birkenhead on 22 March. Parnell League Football Club held at Donovan's Gymnasium in Parnell.[128] It was noted at the meeting that Parnell had lost its ground as the council was going to put roads through it. They were going to make arrangements to use the Auckland Domain for training purposes. Point Chevalier League Football Club held in the Point Chevalier Hall.[129] Ponsonby United Football Club held at The Leys Institute in Ponsonby. Ponsonby were being called “Ponies” in the newspapers during the season. They played the newly formed Hikurangi during the season and also toured the area with a senior and junior team. Richmond Rovers Football Club became the first team to play a rugby league match in Northland when they met the Hikurangi side. Auckland Rugby League Primary Schools’ Management Committee.[130] It was stated that eight teams were entered in various competitions in 1927. Junior Management Committee held at Gray's Buildings on 27 March. Referees Association held at the League Rooms on 26 March. 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Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Auckland and Canterbury/Southern Team Eclipsed/A High Scoring Game/Five Tries to Hardgreave". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20005). 23 July 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Defeat of Auckland/An Exciting Conclusion/Narrow Margin in Fast Game". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20008). 26 July 1928. p. 15. Retrieved 3 October 2019. "North Defeats South/Backs Much Too Clever/Delgrosso in Great Form". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20011). 30 July 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 3 October 2019. "Probables Beat Possibles/Candidates For First Test/Good Performance by Blazey". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20014). 2 October 1928. p. 13. Retrieved 3 October 2019. "Auckland Province Beaten/Fourteen Points to Nine/Local Five-Eighths Weak". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20020). 9 August 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 4 October 2019. "Auckland Team Beaten/26 Points Against 15/Local Thirteen Tires/Visitors' Bright Passing". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20023). 13 August 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 4 October 2019. "Auckland Defeats Otago/Forty-Two Points to 22/Challenge Cup Retained". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20053). 17 September 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 2 September 2019. "Easy Win for Auckland/Match at Whangarei/Bright Display by Visitors". New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071. 8 October 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 15 May 2020. "Stormont Shield Contest". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20079). 17 October 1928. p. 18. Retrieved 4 October 2019. "Win for New Zealand/Seventeen to Thirteen/Great Tackling Witnessed/Dominion's Fine Forwards". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (20017). 6 August 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 3 October 2019. "Akarana Club". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19900). 20 March 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Devonport Domain Board". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19980). 23 June 1928. p. 16. Retrieved 10 September 2019. "Management Committee/Appointment of Selectors". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19932). 28 March 1928. p. 15. Retrieved 30 September 2019. "Grafton Club's Officers". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19898). 17 March 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Prominent Player's Death/W. Hapi, of Mangere/A Clever Native Half-Back". Auckland Star. LIX (168). 18 July 1928. p. 16. Retrieved 3 October 2019. "Marist Old Boys' Club/Annual Meeting Held". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19896). 15 March 1928. p. 13. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Formation of New Club". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19914). 5 April 1928. p. 15. Retrieved 30 September 2019. "Management Committee Meet/Earlier Start of Games/Another Player Reinstated". Auckland Star. LIX (139). 14 June 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 2 October 2019. "Parnell Club". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19898). 17 March 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Akarana Club". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19900). 20 March 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Auckland Primary Schools". The New Zealand Herald. LXV (19904). 24 March 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 29 September 2019. "Management Committee Meet/Earlier Start of Games/Another Player Reinstated". Auckland Star. LIX (139). 14 June 1928. p. 14. Retrieved 2 October 2019. External links Auckland Rugby League official site