1911 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1911 Auckland Rugby League season was the second full organised club season in Auckland following the 1910 Auckland Rugby League season. City Rovers won the title again after winning it in the competitions inaugural year.

The club season commenced on 20 May, with the start of the competition for the Myers Cup. City Rovers were crowned champions after defeating Ponsonby United in the final 36–15 which was required due to both teams being within 2 points of each other as the competition entered its closing stages. The competition at the time and for decades to come often did not complete full round robins. When a team had an unassailable lead over their nearest rivals the competition was often concluded at that point. Ponsonby and City had already met twice during the season but rather than conclude the round robin with round 10. In round 10 Ponsonby would have had a bye and City would likely have gained an easy win over wooden spooners, Eden Ramblers so the Auckland Rugby League decided to have the two top teams play off for the title a week early rather than prolong the competition.

The City side featured Albert Asher, Alex Stanaway, Jim Rukutai, and Bob Mitchell, while Ponsonby had Charlie Savory, Charles Dunning and Arthur Carlaw.

Auckland Rugby League news

Club teams and grade participation

Team 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Total
North Shore Albions 1113
City Rovers 1113
Ponsonby United 1102
Eden Ramblers 1012
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 0112
Newton Rangers 1001
Total 54413

Reminiscing about the league's formative years

In 1941 at the annual meeting the chairman of the league in 1911 (Mr. B. Brigham) spoke about the league in its formative years. He said "the seeds sown by the pioneers have developed in a wonderful way... when we first started playing, the matches were at Victoria Park. For funds we used to go around with a hat. Then we started taking boxes round, and if at the end of the day we were "shy", we had to have a tarpaulin just to pay for the ground". He went on to say that "plenty of mud was thrown at us those times, and we had to face a good deal of hostility. Our first meetings were held in the cellar of the Rob Roy Hotel, and then we got the use of the social room in the same hotel. Then we drifted to other rooms, and a home of our own". He also talked of venues and said "at one time the league had a lease of Eden Park at £100 a year, and from there they shifted to Victoria Park, where on one occasion they had a £300 gate, a figure that was not beaten until the 1924 season at Carlaw Park.[1]

Venues

Unlike in 1910 when only two venues were used, there were 5 venues used. They were Victoria Park, Takapuna Racecourse, 'Avondale', Auckland Domain, and Eden Park (which was the venue for the club final between City Rovers and Ponsonby United.

Eden Ramblers formed

The senior competition saw the addition of the Eden Ramblers who had been formed in April. A meeting was held at the Avondale Public Hall on Wednesday 26 April with Mr John Bollard, MP presiding over it. He was elected president and chairman, and the name Eden Ramblers was chosen along with the colours or green and gold. The following officers were selected: Hon Secretary, Mr B Boone; Management Committee, W. A. Cummings, J Eddoes, W Fairweather, M Morrow, and J Denyer. The membership was close to 50 and they were to begin their training for the season ahead on 29 April with a joint practice with Ponsonby United at Victoria Park.[2]

Rugby union converts

At the start of the season George Gillett, Arthur Francis, Alan Blakey, and Frank Morse all switched codes. Gillett and Francis had both played for the All Blacks for several seasons and were joining the Newton Rangers along with Blakey who was a well known Auckland rugby player. Morse was joining the City Rovers. Gillett, Francis, and Morse would all go on to represent the Kiwi's.[3]

Representative season

It featured a representative program in August and September where Auckland played nine matches including two against the New Zealand side. They won eight and lost one. Their first match saw them lose to New Zealand however they rattled off consecutive wins against New Zealand (6 weeks later), Wellington, Lower Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay Māori, and a Country team from Waihi & Rotorua.

Myers Cup (first grade championship)

Eighteen regular season matches were played before the final on 16 September where City Rovers defeated Ponsonby United 36 to 15 to retain the title which they had won in 1910.

First Grade competition

Myers Cup standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
City Rovers 87011647014
Ponsonby United 970220511714
North Shore Albions 730480686
Newton Rangers 7106511382
Eden Ramblers 7106421492

The second round did not feature the final round of matches hence Ponsonby playing an extra match (when they were due to have a bye), while the table also includes the final played between City and Ponsonby.

Round 1

20 May Ponsonby 19–3 Newton Victoria park  
Try: Charlie Savory, Sydney Cole, Charles Dillimore, Sid Riley 2
Con: Sydney Cole 2
[4] Try: Sainsbury Referee: Ernest Jaggs
20 May City 13–3 North Shore Victoria Park  
Try: William Moeki, Jim Rukutai 2
Con: Alex Stanaway 2
[5] Try: Tom Haddon Referee: W Pitts

Round 2

27 May City 16–3 Newton Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: Frank Morse 2, Sid Kean, George Harrison
Con: Frank Morse
Pen: Albert Asher
[6] Try: Arthur Francis Referee: Bob Oliphant
27 May Ponsonby 49–10 Eden Victoria Park  
Try: William Cossey, Harry Fricker, Charles Dunning 2, Charles Savory, Ronald MacDonald, + 5 unattributed tries
Con: Charles Dillamore, Sydney Cole 3, + 4 unattributed conversions
[6] Try: Harris, + 1 unattributed try
Con: Brett, + 1 unattributed conversion

Round 3

3 June Ponsonby 30–11 City Victoria Park  
Try: Nicholson, Henry Bettis, Charles Savory 2, Arthur Carlaw, Ronald MacDonald, Samuel Houghton, Alf Chorley
Con: Sydney Cole 2, Charles Dillimore
[7] Try: William Moeki, Albert Asher, Frank Morse
Con: Frank Morse
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Bob Oliphant
3 June North Shore 30–6 Eden Takapuna Racecourse  
3:00 Try: Jim Griffen 2, George Seagar 3, Fraser, Frederick Gladding, Stan Weston
Con: Frederick Gladding, Alfred Jackson
Pen: Winders
[8] Try: Don Kenealy, J Cummings Referee: Ernest Jaggs

Round 4

In the match between Newton and Eden one of the three tries was unattributed but it was said that the try scorers were Short and Linkhorn so one of those players scored twice but it is unknown which.

17 June Newton 13–8 Eden Victoria Park  
Try: Short (1 or 2), Charles Linkhorn (1 or 2)
Con: Joe Bennett 2
[9] Try: Harris 2
Pen: Don Kenealy
17 June Ponsonby 22–6 North Shore Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: Charles Dillimore 3, Arthur Carlaw, Nicholson, Harry Fricker
Con: McGregor 2
[10] Try: Ernie Bailey, Jim Griffen Referee: Bob Oliphant

Round 5

24 June City 20–4 Eden Victoria Park  
Try: E Robinson, Albert Asher, Julian, George Hunt
Con: Albert Asher 3
Pen: Albert Asher
[11] Pen: Don Kenealy 2 Referee: T Cunningham
24 June North Shore 17–2 Newton Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: Frederick Gladding, Stan Walters 2, Ernie Bailey, Alfred Jackson
Con: Jim Griffen
[12] Pen: Joe Bennett Referee: W Pitts

Round 6

1 July North Shore 3–11 City Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: Frederick Gladding [13] Try: E Robinson 2, Phillips
Con: Albert Asher
Referee: Bob Oliphant
1 July Ponsonby 32–13 Newton Victoria Park  
Try: Charles Dillimore 2, Arthur Carlaw 2, Sid Riley, Sam Houghton
Con: Charles Dillimore 3, Sydney Cole 2
Pen: Charles Dillimore
[14] Try: Joe Bennett 3
Con: Joe Bennett 2
Referee: E R Harker

Round 7

The match between Ponsonby and Eden was played on the Avondale Racecourse. The sports fields were located at the eastern end of the racecourse grounds.

Avondale Racecourse in 1902. The playing fields were located on the infield, mainly to the left.
8 July City 32–12 Newton Victoria Park  
Try: Wilson, Albert Asher, Harold Denize 2, Harry Childs, Bob Mitchell, Phillips, G Warner
Con: Albert Asher 4
[15] Try: Marshall, Len Farrant
Con: Len Farrant
Pen: Joe Bennett 2
Referee: Bob Oliphant
8 July Ponsonby 24–0 Eden Avondale Racecourse  
Try: Samuel Houghton, Charles Dillimore 3, Arthur Carlaw, Henry Bettis
Con: Samuel Houghton, Arthur Carlaw, Sydney Cole
[16] Referee: T. Cunningham

Round 8

In the match between City and Ponsonby at the Takapuna Racecourse there were several injuries. Harrison (City) sprained an ankle, Hunt (City) ruptured the muscles of his shoulder, and Warner (City) had his nose "severely injured in a collision with Carlaw (Ponsonby) who was partly stunned and sustained a cut to his forehead".

15 July City 25–0 Ponsonby Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: William Moeki, George Hunt 2, Bob Mitchell, E Robinson, Phillips 2
Con: Albert Asher, Phillips
[17]
15 July North Shore 8–0 Eden Auckland Domain  
Try: Farquharson, Stan Walters
Con: Frederick Gladding
[18]

Round 9

22 July Ponsonby 14–13 North Shore Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: Arthur Carlaw 2, Charles Dillimore, Henry Bettis
Con: S Cole
[19] Try: Stan Walters, William Wynyard, Billy Harrison
Con: Frederick Gladding
Pen: Frederick Gladding
Referee: T Cunningham
22 July Eden 14–5 Newton Auckland Domain  
Try: Don Kenealy, Harris 2, W Fairweather
Pen: Don Kenealy
[20] Try: Little
Con: Len Farrant
Referee: Moran

Final

16 September City 36–15 Ponsonby Eden Park  
Try: Jim Rukutai 2, Albert Asher, Bob Mitchell 2, Alex Stanaway, William Moeki, George Hunt
Con: Albert Asher 6
[21] Try: Charles Dunning 2, T Wilson
Con: Sydney Cole 3

Top scorers

The Ponsonby v Eden match in Round 2 had 23 unattributed points for Ponsonby (5 tries and 4 goals) and 5 for Eden (1 try and 1 goal), while the Round 4 match between Newton and Eden saw a try to Newton unattributed. As such the following lists are likely to omit tries and points for players from those sides.

Lower grades

A junior representative match was played between A and B teams as curtain-raiser to the New Zealand v Auckland match at Takapuna Racecourse on July 29. The match featured Edward Vincent Fox who the Fox Memorial Shield would later be named after. The teams were; A team: Liversidge (Ponsonby), Hawthorne (City), Herrick (Northcote), Keen (Ponsonby), Edward Fox (North Shore), Sceates (Northcote), Jackson (Northcote), Gault (City), Jordan (Northcote), Boswell (Ponsonby), Hynes (North Shore), Stanaway (Ponsonby), Pugh (Northcote). B Team: Sergeant (Northcote), Ridings (North Shore), Schofield (Ponsonby), Conaghan (North Shore), Neil (Northcote), Gerrard (North Shore), Brown (Ponsonby), Buchanan (North Shore), Vic Barchard (City), Fairweather (Northcote), Young (North Shore), Davies (Ponsonby), McCullagh (City). Emergencies: Young (Ponsonby), Otto, Jonas, Leaity, and Tickner.[22] The match was played in heavy rain and resulted in a 6-all draw.

Second Grade standings

The results are incomplete. There were 10 rounds played but only 11 of the 20 results were reported.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 7700643514
Ponsonby United 520325234
North Shore Albions 410330352
City Rovers 610521472

Third Grade standings

The results are incomplete. There were 9 rounds played but only 9 results were reported out of 18 matches. Ponsonby initially entered a team in the third grade but failed to play a game before withdrawing.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
North Shore Albions 44006698
Eden Ramblers 520341454
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 310217202
City Rovers 41035552

Representative season

The season began with a match against the New Zealand team which was about to depart for its Australian tour. The touring side won by two points but when they returned from their tour they played again only this time Auckland were the victors by 11 points to 3.

Auckland v New Zealand

10 June Auckland 14–16 New Zealand Takapuna Racecourse  
Try: George Harrison, Harry Fricker, Joe Bennett 2
Con: Sydney Cole
[23] Try: George Gillett, Roy Siddells, Ernie Buckland, Dave Mason
Con: Arthur Francis 2
Referee: Bob Oliphant

Auckland v New Zealand

29 July Auckland 11–3 New Zealand Takapuna Racecourse  
3:00 Try: John Kay, Arthur Carlaw, Stan Walters
Con: Albert Asher
[24] Try: Ernie Buckland Attendance: 700
Referee: Bob Oliphant

Auckland v Wellington (Northern Union Cup)

Wellington team
Auckland team to play Wellington.

Ronald (Scotty) McDonald broke his leg during the match. Arthur Seeling of the Wellington team also badly injured his knee. The team was supposed to go by boat back to Wellington but decided to go by train so they could drop Seeling off in Whanganui where he lived. Frank Morse debuted for Auckland, as did Jim Rukutai who became the Manukau clubs first Auckland representative player.

5 Aug Auckland 16–8 Wellington Victoria Park  
3:00 Try: J Kay 2, Albert Asher, Joe Bennett
Con: Frank Morse
Pen: Frank Morse
[25] Try: Bob Mitchell 2
Con: Arthur Seeling
Attendance: 5000
Referee: T. Cunningham

Auckland v Lower Waikato

Charles Dunning

John Kay had the distinction of playing for Auckland one week, and then turning out against them the following week for Waikato. Occasionally players from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions would represent Auckland. Kay played 3 matches for Auckland in this season. The Auckland Star credited a conversion to Jim Griffen while the New Zealand Herald reported that Charles Dunning kicked all 3 goals. As the Auckland Star's match report was more detailed that is the record reported below.

12 August Lower Waikato 22–36 Auckland Frankton, Hamilton  
Try: John Kay 2, F Hall, R Gleeson
Con: Reg Sprague 3
Pen: Reg Sprague
Drop: Hall
[26] Try: E Robinson, Bob Mitchell, Joe Bennett 4, Arthur Carlaw, George Seagar, Alfred Jackson 2
Con: Charles Dunning 2, Jim Griffen
Attendance: 400
Referee: T. Cunningham

Auckland v Hawke's Bay (Northern Union C.C.)

Auckland team
Hawke's Bay team
19 August Auckland 17–13 Hawke’s Bay Victoria Park  
3:00 Try: Arthur Carlaw, George Seagar 2, Jim Griffen, Alf Chorley
Con: Charles Dunning
Pen: Charles Dunning
[27] Try: Jim Johnson, G Jackson, George Frater
Con: G Jackson
Drop: G Jackson
Attendance: 3000
Referee: Ernest Jaggs

Auckland v Nelson (Northern Union C.C.)

For Nelson Dave Mason scored a try, while Oscar Cederman who was later killed in action in Belgium during World War I scored a try and kicked a conversion.

26 August Auckland 36–12 Nelson Victoria Park  
Try: Frank Morse, Jim Rukutai 3, Reg Sprague, Jim Griffen 2, Harry Fricker, George Harrison, Stan Walters
Con: Charles Dunning 3
[28] Try: Oscar Cederman 2
Con: Oscar Cederman 2
Pen: Dave Mason
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: McCarthy

Auckland v Taranaki (Northern Union C.C.)

2 September Auckland 26–15 Taranaki Victoria Park  
Try: Albert Asher 2, Jim Rukutai, Harry Fricker 2, Bob Mitchell
Con: Charles Dunning 4
[29] Try: P Kyle, C Moir, Dan Twohill
Con: Arthur Hardgrave 3
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Matt Hooper

Auckland v Hawke's Bay Māori

9 September Auckland 22–10 Hawke’s Bay Māori Takapuna Racecourse  
3:00 Try: Joe Bennett 2, George Hunt, Jim Griffen, Albert Asher, Charles Linkhorn
Con: Charles Dunning 2
[30] Try: W Paewai, Hopi Kani
Con: W Hiha
Pen: W Hiha
Attendance: 500
Referee: T Cunningham

Auckland v Country (Waihi & Rotorua)

A month after Auckland's match with Hawke's Bay Māori an exhibition game was arranged in Waihi against a 'Country' team from that area, including Rotorua players. It was the first ever rugby league match played in the area and was played on the Waihi Domain in front of a "fairly large crowd". Despite a few regular forwards not making the trip Auckland still took a strong side and ran out winners 20-10. For the Country side Rukingi Reke kicked 2 conversions to go with a tries to F. Hall and St George.

14 October Country 10-20 Auckland Waihi Domain  
3:00 Try: F Hall, St George
Con: Rukingi Reke 2
[31] Try: Albert Asher 2, E Robinson, Frank Morse, Henry Bettis, George Seagar
Con: 1 x unknown
Referee: Bob Oliphant

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

RankNameClubPlayTriesConPenMarkPoints
1Joe BennettNewton79---27
2Charles DunningPonsonby6-121-26
3Albert AsherCity761--20
4Jim GriffenNorth Shore841--14
5Harry FrickerPonsonby74---12
5Jim RukutaiManukau74---12
7Frank MorseCity5211-10
7George SeagarNorth Shore422--10
9Arthur CarlawPonsonby53---9
9John KayKomakorau (Ngaruawahia)33---9
11Alfred JacksonNorth Shore92---6
11Bob MitchellCity62---6
11George HarrisonCity22---6
11Stan WaltersNorth Shore22---6
11E RobinsonCity72---6
16Alf ChorleyPonsonby31---3
16Charles LinkhornNewton21---3
16Reg SpragueLower Waikato (Ngaruawahia)11---3
16George HuntCity21---3
20Sydney ColePonsonby1-1--2
21Harry ChildsCity7-----
21Charles DillimorePonsonby2-----
21Don KenealyEden3-----
21Stan WestonNorth Shore1-----
21Samuel HoughtonPonsonby1-----
21J CummingsEden1-----
21J O’SullivanCity1-----
21Ernie AsherCity1-----
21Ronald MacDonaldNorth Shore1-----
21Harold Roy DenizeCity1-----
21Henry BettisPonsonby1-----
21PhillipsCity1-----

References

  1. "When League Meetings Were Held In An Hotel Cellar". Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 81. 5 April 1941. p. 10. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. "Eden Ramblers Club". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVIII, no. 14666. 28 April 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  3. "None". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 124. 26 May 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  4. "Ponsonby v Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 120. 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  5. "City v North Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 120. 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  6. "Newton v City". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 126. 29 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  7. "Ponsonby United v City Rovers". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 132. 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  8. "North Shore v Eden Ramblers". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 132. 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  9. "Newton v Eden". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 144. 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  10. "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 144. 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  11. "City v Eden". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 150. 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  12. "North Shore Albions v Newton Rangers". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 150. 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  13. "City v North Shore/City's Tough Tussle". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 156. 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  14. "Ponsonby v Newton/Walk Over for Ponsonby". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 156. 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  15. "City v Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 162. 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  16. "Ponsonby v Eden". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 162. 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  17. "City v Ponsonby". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 168. 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  18. "Eden v North Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 168. 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  19. "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 174. 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  20. "Eden v Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 174. 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  21. "Senior Championship/Won by City Rovers". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVIII, no. 14788. 18 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  22. "Junior Trial Match". Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 177. 27 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  23. "New Zealand v Auckland/Win for Dominion Team". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 138. 12 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  24. "New Zealand v Auckland". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 180. 31 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  25. "First Challenge Match/Wellington v Auckland". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 186. 7 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  26. "Auckland v Lower Waikato". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 192. 14 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  27. "Auckland Retains the Cup/Hawke's Bay Beaten/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVIII, no. 14764. 21 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  28. "Auckland Win Again/Victory Over Nelson". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVIII, no. 147680. 28 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  29. "Interprovincial Cup/Auckland Beats Taranaki/A Record Attendance". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVIII, no. 147686. 4 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  30. "Hawke's Bay Natives v Auckland". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 216. 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  31. "Northern Union Game/Auckland V. The Country". Auckland Star. Vol. XLII, no. 246. 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.