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

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

News

Club teams by grade participation

Team 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade A 6th Grade B Total
Marist Old Boys 11103017
Ponsonby United 11111016
City Rovers 11011116
Maritime 11010115
Manukau Rovers 01011115
Devonport United 11101004
Kingsland Rovers 00111014
Richmond Rovers 00011114
Newton Rangers 11100003
Ellerslie United 01100002
Otahuhu Rovers 01010013
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 01001002
Takapuna 00001102
Parnell 00000112
Fire Brigade (Grafton Athletic) 10000001
Point Chevalier 00100001
Māngere Rangers 00001001
Total 71077126958

Junior Management Committee

The Junior management committee elected for the season was: G. Stevens, W. Church, J. Ball, H. Clayton, W. Dowle, A.E. Smith, W. Lusty, W.J. Davidson (Hon. Sec), T. Fielding (Chairman), J. Aggers, K. Lippiatt.

Club name changes and mergers

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

Carlaw Park open for business

The site of Carlaw Park prior to construction of the ground beginning.

Carlaw Park was named after James Carlaw who had been heavily involved in the development of rugby league in the Auckland area for many years. History was made on 25 June when the first ever match was played on Carlaw Park between City Rovers and Maritime. The match was won by City Rovers 10 points to 8. Prior to the match an official opening ceremony was held. "The park was declared open by Hon. Arthur Myers, MP. Mr and Mrs. Carlaw were each presented with a gold badge and certificate of life membership on the ground, and at the conclusion of the ceremony Mrs Carlaw kicked off for the first game on the new park".[3]

James Carlaw, who Carlaw Park was named after.

City Rovers capped a remarkable season by winning the Thacker Shield from Ponsonby United on the final day of the season after having already won the Monteith Shield by winning the First Grade Championship, and the Roope Rooster Knock-out trophy.

Female football club denied by the league

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

Arthur Singe switches to rugby league

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

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

Monteith Shield standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
City Rovers 98102505017
Maritime 960313511212
Marist Old Boys 950416712210
Ponsonby United 95041389910
Newton Rangers 9315831297
Devonport United 7106611322
Fire Brigade 8107491792

Monteith Shield fixtures

Round 1

23 April City 22–5 Marist Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Alf Townsend, Bill Davidson, Bert Laing, Harry Hawkes
Con: Bill Davidson 4
Pen: Bill Davidson
[7] Try: Bill Stormont
Pen: Bill Stormont 1 mark
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Bill Murray
23 April Devonport 3–2 Fire Brigade Victoria Park 2  
3:00 Try: J Price [7] Pen: Charles Woolley Attendance: 6000
Referee: Clayton
23 April Newton 13–3 Ponsonby Auckland Domain  
3:00 Try: Bill Cloke, Clarrie Polson, Leonard Newdick
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
[7] Try: W Edwards Referee: W Ripley

Round 2

30 April City 33–2 Maritime Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, Bert Laing 2, Tim Peckham, V Thomas 2, Alf Townsend
Con: Bill Davidson 5
Pen: Bill Davidson 1 mark
[8] Pen: Eric Grey Attendance: 7500
Referee: Archie Ferguson
30 April Newton 16–10 Devonport Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: Thomas Virtue, Alfred James, Wally Somers, Unknown x 1
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty
[9] Try: Alf Scott, D Doran
Con: E Johnson 2
Attendance: 7500
Referee: Walter Ripley
30 April Marist 43–8 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 3  
3:00 Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe, Unknown x 7
Con: Bill Stormont, Unknown x 6
Pen: Bill Stormont
[10] Try: R Coates, Unknown x 1
Con: Charles Woolley
Attendance: 7500
Referee: Frank Thompson

Round 3

7 May Ponsonby 17–10 Devonport Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor, R Mitchell, W Edwards, Bill Walsh, Eric McGregor
Con: Thomas McClymont
[11] Try: J Johnston, H Wynn
Con: E Johnston
Pen: E Johnston
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: A Ball
7 May Maritime 17–5 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: George Yardley, Eric Grey 2, Woods, W Miller
Con: Eric Grey
[12] Try: Dunn
Pen: Albert Ivil
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Len Farrant
7 May Marist 22–15 Newton Victoria Park 2  
3:00 Try: A Eustace, Percy Gallagher 3
Con: Arthur Singe 3
Pen: Bill Stormont, Arthur Singe
[13] Try: James, Leonard Newdick, Bill Cloke
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: T Hill

Round 4

14 May Maritime 12–10 Newton Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Ernie Herring, Jim Brien, George Yardley [14] Try: Wally Somers, Nelson Bass
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Walter Ripley
14 May Ponsonby 35–3 Marist Devonport Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Eric McGregor 2, Bill Walsh, Dougie McGregor, George Mormon, W Hanlon, L Martin, Longbottom
Con: Thomas McClymont 4
[15] Try: Percy Gallagher Referee: Frank Thompson
14 May City 61–7 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: Harry Tancred 2, George Reid, Ben Davidson 2, Bill Davidson, V Thomas, Alf Townsend, Bert Laing, Unknown x 4
Con: Bill Davidson 11
[16] Try: Charles Woolley
Con: R Coates
Pen: Albert Ivil
Referee: William Mincham

Round 5

28 May Newton 6–6 City Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: F Lovelock 2 [17] Try: Bill Minogue, Unknown x 1 Attendance: 3,000
Referee: A Ball
28 May Maritime 19–17 Ponsonby Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: Eric Grey, Jim Brien 2, Ivan Littlewood, Unknown x 1
Con: John Lang, Mike Flynn
[18] Try: Dougie McGregor 2, Eric McGregor, Bill Walsh, Unknown x 1
Con: Unknown x 1
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: H Clayton
28 May Marist 17–9 Devonport Auckland Domain 3  
3:00 Try: A Eustace 3, James Hing, Percy Gallagher
Con: Carroll
[19] Try: A Nelson, Pat Morgan, C Nicholson Attendance: 3,000
Referee: T Hill

Round 6

Round 6 was somewhat farcical. Devonport fielded several juniors and when the score got to 14–0 in favour of Maritime very quickly four Maritime players changed teams to make it a more even contest. The remainder of the game more resembled a practice match. While Newton defaulted their match with Fire Brigade as only 6 players turned out. The New Zealand Herald match report stated that "counter-attractions proving too strong for the Newton players".

4 June City 24–3 Ponsonby Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 2, Alf Townsend 2, Tim Peckham, Ernie Mackie
Con: Ernie Mackie, Bill Davidson
Pen: Maurice Wetherill 1 mark
[20] Try: Dagnall Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Len Farrant
4 June Devonport 5–25 Maritime Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: Unknown x 1
Con: Unknown x 1
[21] Try: Unknown x 7
Con: Unknown x 2
Referee: Henning
4 June Fire Brigade WBD-LBD Newton Auckland Domain  
3:00 [22] Referee: Walter Ripley

Round 7

11 June Maritime 15–8 Marist Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 2, George Yardley
Con: Mike Flynn 2
Pen: Eric Grey
[23] Try: James Hing, A Eustace
Con: Bill Stormont
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: A Ball
11 June Ponsonby 10–8 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: George Mormon, L Martin
Con: Dougie McGregor
Pen: Dougie McGregor
[24] Try: H McNeil, Corfield
Pen: Albert Ivil
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Frank Thompson
11 June Devonport 6–37 City Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: Charles Hand, H Mann [25] Try: George Reid 2, Ben Davidson 2, Harry Hawkes, Alf Townsend 2, Bill Minogue, Tim Peckham
Con: George Reid, Ben Davidson 2, Bill Minogue, Bill Davidson
Referee: Walter Ripley

Round 8

18 June City 11–8 Marist Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 2, Harry Hawkes
Con: Maurice Wetherill
[26] Try: Ernie Herring, A Eustace
Con: Bill Stormont
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Archie Ferguson
18 June Newton 6–5 Ponsonby Victoria Park 2  
3:00 Try: Jones, Leonard Newdick [27] Try: Artie Rae, Dougie McGregor Referee: T Hill

Round 9

Round 9 saw the opening of Carlaw Park and the first ever match played on its soil. City defeated Maritime by 10 points to 8 in front of 7000 spectators. Herb Lunn of the Maritime side had the honour of scoring the first try on the ground. The other two matches for this round were postponed. The captains of both Newton and Devonport decided to postpone the match, though the majority of the Devonport players were unaware of this arrangement and arrived at the ground ready to play. While on the same day the Fire Brigade players were called to a warehouse fire in the city at mid-day and were tired and late arriving to the ground so the match was abandoned.[28]

25 June City 10–8 Maritime Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Harry Hawkes, Harry Francis
Con: Bill Minogue
Pen: Bill Minogue (1 mark)
[29] Try: Herb Lunn, Ivan Littlewood
Con: Eric Grey
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Archie Ferguson
25 June Devonport PPD Newton Devonport Domain  
3:00 [29]
25 June Marist PPD Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 [29]

Round 10

2 July Marist 34–3 Newton Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ernie Herring 2, John Lang, Arthur Singe, Puha, A Eustace, Percy Gallagher
Con: Ernie Herring, Bill Stormont, John Lang, Edmund Carroll 2
[30] Try: Charles James Attendance: 3,700
Referee: T Hill
2 July Ponsonby 18–11 Devonport Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor, Ben McGregor, Sam Lowrie, Wilfred McNeil
Con: Dougie McGregor 2
Pen: Dougie McGregor
[31] Try: J Price, Cargill, Alf Townsend
Drop: McAneny
Referee: L Hemming
2 July Maritime 24–6 Fire Brigade Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Syd O'Donnell, Ivan Littlewood 3, Bill Ballyntyne, Jack McGregor
Con: Syd O'Donnell, Ivan Littlewood, George Yardley
[32] Try: Bill Williams, Phil Castles Referee: William Mincham

Round 11

The City v Newton game was discontinued at halftime due to the score line. Newton had started the match a man short and the score line had already blown out to 37–5 by the interval.

9 July Marist 18–4 Maritime Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe, John Lang, Casey
Con: Edmund Carroll, Billy Ghent
Pen: Arthur Singe
[33] Pen: George Yardley, Mike Flynn Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Len Farrant
9 July City 37–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Bill Davidson Unknown 30 other points
Con: Bill Davidson 2
[34] Try: S Delaney
Pen: S Delaney
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: H Clayton
9 July Ponsonby 21–5 Fire Brigade Victoria Park  
3:00 Try: Dougie McGregor 2, Eric McGregor, W Edwards, Bill Walsh
Con: Dougie McGregor 3
[35] Try: R Coates
Con: Unknown x 1
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: L Hemming

Roope Rooster knockout competition

The first round match between Marist Old Boys and Maritime ended controversially with Marist complaining that the match had finished early (when they were trailing by 10 points to 8). They protested and the match was replayed with Maritime winning 21 to 10. The referee in charge, Walter Ripley announced his resignation in the following week but did referee again for several years and later served on the board of the Referee's Association.

The final was won by City Rovers who defeated Maritime in the final in front of a large crowd by 30 points to 14. Over £230 were taken at the gate which was a record for Carlaw Park, albeit in its first season of use. From this 50 percent went to the Auckland League Sick and Injured Players' Fund, 25 percent to the Hospital Radium Fund, and 25 percent to the St. John Ambulance Association.[36]

Round 1

16 July City 13–7 Newton Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Bill Davidson, Harry Hawkes, Ben Davidson
Con: Bill Davidson
Pen: Bill Davidson
[37] Try: J Biggs
Con: Craddock Dufty
Drop: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: A Ball
16 July Maritime 10–8* Marist Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Jim Brien 2
Con: Eric Grey
Pen: George Yardley
[38] Try: Unknown 2
Pen: Arthur Singe
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Walter Ripley
16 July Ponsonby 34–11 Devonport Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: George Mormon 2, Thomas McClymont 2, R Mitchell, Wilfred McNeil, Bill Walsh, W Hanlon
Con: Unknown x 5
[39] Try: J Price, Alf Scott, Selwyn Chatfield
Pen: McAneny
Referee: T Hill

Semi final

23 July City 8–5 Ponsonby Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Harry Hawkes, Alf Townsend
Con: Bill Davidson
[40] Try: Penalty Try
Pen: Thomas McClymont
Attendance: 6,500

Round 1 replay

13 August Maritime 21–10 Marist Victoria Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 3, Bill Ballantyne, Eric Grey
Con: Mike Flynn
Pen: George Yardley, Mike Flynn
[41] Try: A Eustace, Arthur Singe
Con: Billy Ghent
Pen: Bill Stormont
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Len Farrant

Semi final

3 September Maritime 12–7 Fire Brigade Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Jim Brien
Con: Mike Flynn 2
[42] Try: R Coates
Con: J Wareing
Drop: Joseph
Attendance: 4000
Referee: Walter Ripley

Final

1 October City 30–14 Maritime Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 3, Bill Davidson, C Mitchell, Harry Hawkes
Con: Bill Davidson 4, Maurice Wetherill
Pen: Bill Davidson
[43] Try: Bert Avery 3, Jim Brien
Pen: Jim Brien
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Bill Murray

Top try scorers and point scorers

Bill Davidson's point total includes senior matches in the championship and the Roope Rooster.

Other club matches

Challenge Shield

Henry Thacker

The Thacker Shield was held by Ponsonby United coming into the 1921 season however there was a dispute over whether the shield should be held by North Island teams as it was unclear if it had been intended for competition among South Island teams only. The New Zealand council decided that the rules should be amended to allow North Island teams to hold it but the donor, Dr. H.T.J. Thacker and the Canterbury Rugby League would not agree to them. As such the shield was returned to the donor. Mr. C Weaver donated a trophy to take its place and this became known as the Challenge Shield and it was this that Ponsonby went on to defend twice. They first hosted Petone from Wellington who they beat 18–13. In the curtain-raiser Petone juniors were defeated by Richmond by 14 points to 8. In the evening the Petone players were entertained at the Druids' Hall by the Ponsonby club and Auckland League. They later defeated Huntly 19–8 before losing the Shield to local rivals City Rovers

10 September Ponsonby 18–13 Petone Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Eric McGregor 2, William Southernwood, Dougie McGregor
Con: Dougie McGregor 3
[44] Try: Horace Nunn, Shanahan 2
Con: Balks
Pen: Nicholls
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Bill Murray
8 October Ponsonby 19–8 Huntly Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Thomas McClymont, Blackie, W Edwards, Wilfred McNeil, James Hing
Con: Thomas McClymont 2
[45] Try: Huatahi Paki, J Peckham
Pen: J Raynor
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Archie Ferguson
15 October City 25–10 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Harry Francis, Bill Davidson, Tim Peckham, Ben Davidson, Harry Hawkes
Con: Bill Davidson 4
Pen: Bill Davidson
[46] Try: George Mormon, Dougie McGregor
Con: Dougie McGregor, Frank Delgrosso
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: Len Farrant

Exhibition matches

List of exhibition matches
Date Score Score Venue Referee Scoring
Exhibition match 18 June[47] Hamilton19Maritime16Steele Park, Hamilton 3pmHamptonFor Hamilton: Mawhinney, Prickett, Vernall tries, Mawhinney 1 conv. Dufty 1 conv and 2 pen., Vernall 1 conv.; For Maritime: Mike Flynn 2, Young, Brake tries, Flynn 2 conv.
Exhibition match 13 Aug[48] Cambridge16City Rovers14Victoria Square, CambridgeT SmithFor Cambridge: Churches, Pau, Stewart, and Coe tries, McMillan 2 conv; For City: Hawkes 2, Peckham, Miller tries, with 1 conv.

Lower grades

There were 7 lower grades in 1921.

Second grade

Newton defeated Maritime in the second grade final by 17 points to 11 at Carlaw Park to win the Second Grade Cup. Future New Zealand representative Charles Gregory played for Newton. They ultimately finished the season with a 10 win, 1 draw, 1 loss record, scoring 149 points and conceding 57.[49] North Shore withdrew prior to round 2, Marist withdrew after round 8, Manukau after round 10, and City after round 11. There were very few results reported and Newton's win/loss and for and against record was learned from their championship team photograph.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Newton Rangers 1210111495720
Maritime 119111145419
Otahuhu Rovers 420218244
Ellerslie United 310235132
Ponsonby United 510426502
Manukau 210119192
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 20028210
City Rovers 20020420
Marist Old Boys 200216240
North Shore Albions 0000000

Third grade (Myers Cup)

Kingsland Rovers won the competition when they drew with Newton 9-9 on August 6 in round 12. Future New Zealand international Claude List was in the Kingsland side, aged 18. In the first 5 rounds many results were reported however the second half of the season had very few reported. Parnell entered a team in the knockout competition which began on August 13 and had a 3-3 draw with Ellerslie. Marist were scheduled to play Ellerslie in round 1 but there was no result reported and they withdrew from the competition after this.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Kingsland Rovers 421135315
Point Chevalier 540170188
Newton Rangers 6312105587
North Shore Albions 320161234
Ponsonby United 510432922
Ellerslie United 30033840
Marist Old Boys 0000000

Fourth grade

Otahuhu won the championship though not all results were reported.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Otahuhu Rovers 7502452610
City Rovers 7511645011
Ponsonby United 640245258
Richmond Rovers 630367326
Manukau Rovers 620443404
Marist Old Boys 621342485
North Shore Albions 310219142
Kingsland Rovers 210128112
Takapuna 310210172
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 30035390
Marist Old Boys A 20023240
Marist Old Boys B 10010440

Fifth grade

City Rovers defeated Richmond by 5 points to 2 to win the championship.[49] There were very few results reported during the season. Marist entered 2 teams however their B team withdrew after round 3. Kingsland withdrew after round 11, and North Shore and Manukau after round 12. Parnell entered a team late in the season to play a friendly match.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
City Rovers 7511645011
Otahuhu Rovers 7502452610
Ponsonby United 640245258
Richmond Rovers 630367326
Manukau Rovers 620443404
Marist Old Boys 621342485
North Shore Albions 310219142
Kingsland Rovers 210128112
Takapuna 310210172
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 30035390
Marist Old Boys A 20023240
Marist Old Boys B 10010440

Sixth grade A

Richmond won the competition. There were very few results reported during the season. Parnell entered a team in the competition on July 23 though it is unclear if their 5 matches counted towards the championship. Only one of their results was reported, a 9-2 loss to Maritime.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Richmond Rovers 7601682212
City Rovers 440056108
Maritime 410312262
Manukau Rovers 21011692
Takapuna 40049870
Parnell 1001290

Sixth grade B

Ponsonby won the competition. There were almost no results reported beyond round 6, with only 3 of Ponsonby's results reported. Parnell entered a team on July 16 and played 3 matches. It is unclear if their matches contributed to the final standings, the only game that had a result reported for them was a 33-0 loss to Ponsonby.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Ponsonby United 3201064114
Marist Old Boys 55008010210
Otahuhu Rovers 330013906
Kingsland Rovers 4202117324
Richmond Rovers 3201010264
City Rovers 300325260
Maritime 20021080
Manukau Rovers 100120160
Parnell 100100330

Cadet competition

This was the first year that a cadet competition had been played. The 18th Company won the competition. The 34th Cadets were based in Mt Eden while the 51st Senior Cadets were based in Devonport. This competition was won by the 18th Company of Senior Cadets after they won the final game of the season defeating the 13th Company by 7 points to 2. The 23rd Company played a match with the 37th Company which they won 19 to 0. This match was outside of the competition.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
18th Company 7511122711
13th A Company 8512852311
4th Company 640285178
51st Company (Devonport) 420234664
34th Company (Mt Eden) 610522772
13th B Company 710651632

Auckland representative fixtures

It was a very busy season for the Auckland representative team with ten matches played. Though in reality B and C teams played some of the fixtures as matches were played at the same time in different centres. They won seven matches and lost three. On 20 August Auckland played three matches, which showed off their depth. One at Carlaw Park versus King Country, one in Hamilton against South Auckland, and one against Wellington on the Basin Reserve. They won against King Country and Wellington, with a loss against South Auckland.

Auckland v New Zealand

21 May Auckland 16–22 New Zealand Auckland Domain 1  
3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont, Cargill, Leonard Newdick
Con: George Yardley, Thomas McClymont
[50] Try: Bill Davidson 3, Jim Sanders, Bill Williams, Henry Tancred
Con: Bill Davidson
Pen: Bill Davidson
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Archie Ferguson

Auckland v Wellington (Northern Union C.C.)

30 July Auckland 31–8 Wellington Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Bill Davidson, John Lang 2, Bill Stormont, Harry Hawkes, Bert Avery 2
Con: Bill Davidson
[51] Try: K Thompson, Nicholls
Pen: J Kruse
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Billy Murray

Auckland v Hawkes Bay (Northern Union C.C.)

6 August Auckland 18–3 Hawkes Bay Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Eric Grey, Charles Woolley, Harry Hawkes, Bert Avery
Con: Bill Davidson 3
[52] Try: A Atkins Attendance: 6500
Referee: Archie Ferguson

Auckland v King Country

20 August Auckland 58–25 King Country Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Wally Somers 3, Charles Woolley, Bill Davidson, Bert Avery 5, Thomas McClymont 3, Arthur Singe
Con: Wally Somers, Bill Davidson 2, Thomas McClymont 3, Eric Grey, Arthur Singe
[53] Try: Lyall 2, Wallace 2, Jumbo
Con: Cribb, Henry 3
Pen: Henry
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Billy Murray

South Auckland (Waikato) v Auckland

20 August South Auckland (Waikato) 13–3 Auckland Claudelands Showgrounds, Hamilton  
3:00 Try: Hemmingway 2, Wilson
Con: J Dufty
Pen: J Dufty
[54] Try: George Paki Attendance: 2,500
Referee: T Smith

Wellington v Auckland

20 August Wellington 21–23 Auckland Basin Reserve, Wellington  
3:00 Try: Hodges, J Shanahan 2
Con: Nicholls 2
Pen: Nicholls 2 (and 1 mark), Balks
[55] Try: Ivan Littlewood, Tim Peckham, Wilfred McNeil, Bill Stormont, Harry Hawkes
Con: Mike Flynn 3, Bill Stormont
Referee: C Snow

West Coast v Auckland

24 August West Coast 7–47 Auckland Victoria Park, Greymouth  
3:00 Try: A McElwee
Con: A McElwee
Pen: Charlie McElwee
[56] Try: Harry Hawkes 4, Ivan Littlewood 2, Tim Peckham, George Cargill 2, Mike Flynn, Maurice Wetherill
Con: Harry Hawkes, Mike Flynn 2, Maurice Wetherill, Bill Stormont, Alf Eustace, George Cargill
Referee: B Munson

Hawkes Bay v Auckland

The Auckland team was mentioned as "Auckland B" in 2 sources however they were named as Auckland on multiple occasions and was essentially the same team which played South Auckland the week prior where it was considered Auckland and therefore they have been considered a full Auckland side.

27 August Hawkes Bay 18-15 Auckland Nelson Ground, Napier  
3:00 Try: Con McCarthy, W Gibson 2, H Douglas
Con: P Exeter
Pen: N McCarthy, P Exeter
[57] Try: Percy Gallagher 2, S Delaney
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty 2
Attendance: 1,000

Canterbury v Auckland

27 August Canterbury 14–39 Auckland Sydenham Park, Christchurch  
3:00 Try: W Green, Jim Sanders, R Watts, W Healey
Con: Jim Sanders
[58] Try: Ben Davidson 2, John McGregor, George Yardley, Maurice Wetherill, Charles James, Bill Stormont, Harry Hawkes 2
Con: Mike Flynn 5, Tim Peckham
Attendance: 5000
Referee: A Morris

Hawkes Bay v Auckland B

27 August Hawkes Bay 18–15 Auckland B Napier  
3:00 Try: Douglas, Gibson 2, McCarthy
Con: Exeter
Pen: McCarthy, Exeter
[59] Try: Percy Gallagher 2, S Delaney
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty 2

Auckland v South Auckland (Waikato)

17 September Auckland 35–13 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson 4, Bill Davidson, Harry Hawkes 2, Bert Avery, George Paki
Con: Bill Davidson 4
[60] Try: Lyall Stewart, H Manning, S Neill
Con: A. Wilson-Hall
Pen: A. Wilson-Hall
Attendance: 5500

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

NoNameClub TeamPlayTriesConPenPoints
1Bill DavidsonCity4314037
2Harry HawkesCity6111035
3Bert AveryMarist490027
4Mike FlynnMaritime6110023
5Thomas McClymontPonsonby444020
6Ben DavidsonCity460018
7Bill StormontMarist532013
8Wally SomersNewton231011
8George CargillMarist431011
10Ivan LittlewoodMaritime23009
11Tim PeckhamCity42108
11Maurice WetherillCity72108
11George YardleyMaritime42108
14Craddock DuftyNewton20126
14Charles WoolleyFire Brigade52006
14John LangMaritime42006
14George PakiCity32006
14Percy GallagherMarist32006
19Arthur SingeMarist41105
19Eric GreyMaritime41105
21S DelaneyNewton21003
21Frank DelgrossoPonsonby21003
21Leonard NewdickNewton21003
21Wilfred McNeilPonsonby21003
21Charles JamesNewton31003
21John McGregorMaritime31003
26Alf EustaceMarist20102
27Sam LowriePonsonby30000
27Bill WilliamsNewton*, Fire Brigade30000
27Harry WynnDevonport30000
27Neil BallantyneMaritime20000
27M ClarkMaritime20000
27Billy GhentMarist20000
27George MormonPonsonby20000
27Alf TownsendCity20000
27Vic ThomasCity20000
27F TurnerMarist20000
27Clarence WebbDevonport20000
27Nelson BassNewton10000
27R CoatesFire Brigade10000
27E ElliottFire Brigade10000
27Ray HarleyCity10000
27James HingMarist10000
27Joe MeadowsPonsonby10000
27A NelsonDevonport10000
27Bill WalshPonsonby10000
27J PriceDevonport10000
27Bill WalshPonsonby10000

Bill Williams began the season playing for Newton Rangers however after they were struggling for numbers and defaulted a game he transferred to the Fire Brigade team where he played 3 matches in June and July.

New Zealand representatives from Auckland

Team to tour Australia

Backs

Forwards

References

  1. "Activities in Auckland/Review of Last Season". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LIX, no. 18050. 27 March 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  2. "The Management Committee". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17755. 14 March 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  3. "City Defeats Maritime At Carlaw Park/Exciting Contest Witnessed". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 151. 27 June 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. "Girl Footballers/League Club Formed/First Match on Saturday/Much Enthusiasm Shown". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17832. 13 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  5. "Girl FootballClub/Question of Affiliation/League Defers Decision/Matter of Physical Welfare". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17833. 14 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  6. "Girl Footballers". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 172. 21 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Opening of the Season". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17764. 25 April 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  8. "City Defeats Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17770. 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  9. "Newton Too Good For North Shore". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17770. 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  10. "Marist Old Boys' Easy Win". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17770. 2 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  11. "Ponsonby 17, North Shore 10". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17776. 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  12. "Maritime Defeats Fire Brigade". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17776. 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  13. "Marist Too Good For Newton". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17776. 9 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  14. "Maritime Defeats Newton". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17782. 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  15. "Ponsonby 35, Marist Old Boys 3". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17782. 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  16. "City's Easy Victory". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17782. 16 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  17. "City and Newton Draw". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17794. 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  18. "Maritime Defeats Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17794. 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  19. "Marist Old Boys 17, Devonport 9". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17794. 30 May 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  20. "City Defeats Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17800. 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  21. "Maritime 25, Devonport 5". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17800. 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  22. "Newton Defaults to Fire Brigade". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17800. 6 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  23. "Maritime Defeats Marist/Ponsonby, 10; Fire Brigade, 8/City Puts Up Big Score". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17806. 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  24. "Ponsonby, 10; Fire Brigade, 8". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17806. 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  25. "City Puts Up Big Score". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17806. 13 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  26. "City Defeats Marist O.B/Before 7,000 Spectators/An Exciting Tussle". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 145. 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  27. "Ponsonby Loses to Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 145. 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  28. "First Game on Carlaw Park/City Defeats Maritime/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17818. 27 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  29. 1 2 3 "First Game on Carlaw Park/City Defeats Maritime/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17818. 27 June 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  30. "Good Play On Carlaw Park/Marist Overwhelms Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 157. 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  31. "Good Play On Carlaw Park/Ponsonby 18, Shore 11". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 157. 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  32. "Maritime Beats Fire Brigade". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 157. 4 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  33. "Marist Defeat Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17830. 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  34. "City Easily Defeat Newton". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17830. 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  35. "Ponsonby 21, Fire Brigade 5". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17830. 11 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  36. "City's Great Victory/Maritime Defeated/Fine Exhibition at Carlaw Park/Witnessed by 8,000 Spectators". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 235. 3 October 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  37. "The Roope Rooster/City Defeats Newton". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 169. 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  38. "The Roope Rooster/Maritime 10, Marist OB 8". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 169. 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  39. "The Roope Rooster/Ponsonby Accounts For Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 169. 18 July 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  40. "Roope Rooster Semi-Final/City Defeats Ponsonby/Closely-Contested Game". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17842. 25 July 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  41. "Roope Rooster Competition/Maritime Defeats Marist/Fast and Exciting Game". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17860. 15 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  42. "Knock-out Semi-Final/Maritime Beats Firemen/After An Interesting Game". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 211. 5 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  43. "Roope Rooster Final/Victory For City Team/Fast and Exciting Game". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17902. 3 October 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  44. "Thacker Shield Match/Ponsonby Retains Trophy/Petone Defeated By 5 Points". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17884. 12 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  45. "Thacker Shield Match/Ponsonby V Huntly/Win For the Local Team". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17908. 10 October 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  46. "Final Game of Season/Thacker Shield Match/City Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17914. 17 October 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  47. "Hamilton Beats Maritime". Auckland Star. Vol. LII, no. 145. 20 June 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  48. "City Rovers V Cambridge". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17860. 15 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  49. 1 2 "Junior Championship Final/Newton Defeats Maritime". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17896. 26 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  50. "New Zealand V Auckland/Local Team Defeated". The New Zealand Herald. 23 May 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  51. "Auckland V Wellington/Victory For Local Team/Game Played In Rain". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17848. 1 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  52. "Representative Match/Auckland Beats Hawke's Bay/Fast Game On Wet Ground". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXIII, no. 17854. 8 August 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  53. "King Country V Auckland/The Visitors Outclassed". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17866. 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  54. "Match At Hamilton/Win For South Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17866. 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  55. "Auckland V Wellington/Margin Of Two Points". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17866. 22 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  56. "Auckland V West Coast". Grey River Argus. 25 August 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  57. "Hawkes Bay Defeat Auckland". Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 210. 29 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  58. "Auckland V Canterbury/Win For Northerners/Thirty-Nine To Fourteen". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17872. 29 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  59. "Hawke's Bay V Auckland/A Close Contest". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17872. 29 August 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  60. "Auckland V South Auckland/Victory For Local Team/Fast Spectacular Play". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVIII, no. 17890. 19 September 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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