The 1926 season of the Auckland Rugby League was its 17th.

Ponsonby won the Monteith Shield, the major first grade title after defeating City Rovers in the final. Richmond won their first ever senior trophy when they won the Roope Rooster. On the last week of the season these teams met for the Stormont Shield with Ponsonby winning by 15 points to 5 over. Northcote won the B Division championship, with Kingsland winning the Stallard Cup for taking out the B division knockout competition. The representative season was dominated by a long series of trial matches to assist in selecting the New Zealand team to tour England.

Auckland Rugby League News

Club teams by grade participation

Team 1st B Div. 2nd 3rd Open 3rd Int. 4th 5th 6th A 6th B Schools Total
Richmond Rovers 10101111107
Grafton Athletic 10110111107
City Rovers 10100102106
Ponsonby United 10110110005
Devonport United 10111010005
Ellerslie United 01010110004
Newton Rangers 10101100004
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 01010011004
Māngere United 01111000004
Otahuhu Rovers 01100101004
Akarana 00010101104
Kingsland Rovers 01101000003
Marist Old Boys 10100100003
Parnell 01001100003
Point Chevalier 00100100103
Glen Eden 00011000002
New Lynn 00010100002
United Suburbs 00011000002
Ōtāhuhu Schoolboys 00000000011
Parnell Schoolboys 00000000011
Grey Lynn Schoolboys 00000000011
Richmond Schoolboys 00000000011
Newmarket Schoolboys 00000000011
Papatoetoe Schoolboys 00000000011
Total 761110812675678

Athletic club name change

At the annual general meeting of the Athletic Rugby League Football Club the idea of adopting the name of Grafton Athletic was discussed though no decision was made at the time it was later agreed to change the club name to Grafton.[1] They were known as 'Maritime' from their formation in 1918 and remained as such for four years until the start of the 1922 season when they changed their name to Athletic. They remained 'Athletic' for four years until deciding to change their name again in this 1926 season to Grafton Athletic. There had previously already been a Grafton Athletic club which formed in 1914 under the leadership of Karl Ifwersen and they survived for seven years until the 1920 season which was their last after Ifwersen switched back to the rugby code.

Senior competitions

Nominations were received for 13 teams to compete in the Senior Grade. It was decided to have an A section and a B section like the 1925 season. In the A section competing for the Monteith Shield would be the same 7 teams as the previous year. They were Ponsonby United, City Rovers, Marist Old Boys, Devonport United, Richmond Rovers, Newton Rangers, and Grafton Athletic (previously named 'Maritime' from 1918–21 and then Athletic from 1922–25). The same 5 teams would compete in the B section with the addition of Parnell. The teams in that section were Northcote, Kingsland, Ellerslie, Mangere (not the present day club), Otahuhu, and Parnell.

Jim Parkes who had moved to Auckland and begun playing for Richmond was also to coach the side. With the Monteith Shield competition nearing its later stages L Taylor joined the Richmond club from the Whitiora club in Hamilton. He scored 54 points in just 6 games for Richmond which meant he finished as the second highest scorer for the season behind Maurice Wetherill. During the season the New Zealand team was chosen to tour England and many clubs were hard hit by player losses to the tour. Wetherill was almost a certainty to make the tour but was unavailable to tour. He remained with his City Rovers team who qualified for the final with Ponsonby United but could not lead them to the title.

Carlaw Park

The proposed plans for Carlaw Parks redevelopment as reported in December, 1926.

Albert Asher the well known former New Zealand international was appointed to work on the ground staff at Carlaw Park. He would be busy mid season when torrential rain leading up to the round 5 matches forced their abandonment. A large hole opened up on the number one field due to water overflowing from the railway embankment and the surrounding hills overwhelmed the surface drains. "As a result, the water forced its way back, emerging from a joint in the main pipe. The ground for some feet around was raised and, when it subsided, an open hole was revealed". It took several days to repair the playing area which was open again for the following weekend.[2] In December proposed plans for Carlaw Park's redevelopment were released though they were not carried out as shown in the image. The image showed the terraces becoming a large multilevel stand with a terrace type stand where the railway stand was at the time.

Representative program

A large number of representative and trial matches were played on Carlaw Park during the course of the season. The New Zealand team was to tour England later in the year and so several trial matches were played including Auckland v South Auckland, North Island v South Island, A v B team matches, a 'probables' v 'possibles' game, Auckland v The Rest of New Zealand, and ultimately after the team had been selected Auckland played them before they departed. Then near the end of the season Auckland defended the Northern Union Challenge Cup 3 times against Otago, Canterbury, and South Auckland (Waikato). The season was then concluded with an Auckland Colts match against the B Division representative side.

The Auckland members of the New Zealand team to tour England were:Craddock Dufty (Grafton), Charles Gregory (Marist), George Gardiner (Ponsonby), Jim Parkes (Richmond), Lou Brown (City), Ben Davidson (City), Jack Kirwan (Marist), Hec Brisbane (Marist), Hector Cole (Ponsonby), Stan Webb (Devonport), Frank Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Ernie Herring (Grafton), Arthur Singe (Marist), Bert Avery (Grafton). Avery was to captain the touring side.

During the tour 7 players went on strike due to a large number of issues they had with the management of the tour and upon their return the New Zealand Rugby League administration banned each of them for life. The only Aucklander to be among the strikers banned was Arthur Singe, the Marist Old Boys hooker. He had joined them after switching from rugby in 1921 where he had represented the New Zealand Army team in 1919 on their British and South African tours and Auckland in 8 matches. He played 48 times for Marist, 15 times for Auckland and made 8 appearances for New Zealand before his ban. The ban was eventually lifted by the New Zealand Rugby League in 1962, 26 years after his death in 1936.

Obituary

Robert Alexander Bovaird

On December 30, 1925 Robert (Bert) Alexander Bovaird passed away at the age of 34. He was the secretary of the Auckland Rugby League Referees association for the past 3 years and had refereed for several years including at senior level after previously being a player. He was "a very painstaking and obliging official, and carried out his duties with credit and satisfaction".[3] He had owned a general store on Great North Road at Morningside and his body was found in the Auckland Domain in the morning after he had died of a self inflicted gun shot wound.[4] The representatives of the Referees Association acted as pall-bearers at the request of relatives.[5] He left behind a wife, Valerie Bovaird (nee. Tattersall), and an 8 year old daughter (Audrey).

Monteith Shield (first grade championship)

On 22 May all A and B division matches were postponed due to poor weather. Carlaw Park also suffered damage when water overflowed from the railway embankment and adjoining hills which proved too much for the surface drains. It caused the ground to subside and a hole to open up which would take some time to repair.[6]

Monteith Shield standings

With 1 round remaining Ponsonby was on 18 competition points and City were on 20 competition points. City had a bye and Ponsonby were due to play Grafton however owing to the likely outcome of Ponsonby defeating Grafton Athletic (who were last) which would mean the two teams would be tied on points the ARL decided to have Ponsonby and City playoff for the title instead. This was a regular method of deciding the title winners through this era and had happened in 1911, 1914, 1915, 1923, and 1924. Ponsonby won 13–8 and the result is included in the standings.

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Ponsonby United 12100225615320
City Rovers 13100327916820
Marist Old Boys 1170416714414
Devonport United 1150622314910
Richmond Rovers 113081421766
Newton Rangers 113081853056
Grafton Athletic 112091122694

Monteith Shield fixtures

Joan Endean kicking off the 1926 season. Referee William Mincham is watching. Joan was one of vice patron John Albert Endean's 5 daughters.

In Round 12 new rules were introduced regarding the play the ball, mirroring rules adopted by the New South Wales Rugby League which made the games more open but it was stated in The New Zealand Herald that "it is evident the players will need more schooling to make the interpretation of this rule more effective. In the match between Ponsonby and Richmond every advantage was taken of the referee's awkward position, and some very unfair tactics were adopted in securing the ball from the ruck".[7]

Round 1

In the match between Ponsonby and Devonport Lyall Stewart went off after 20 minutes with an injury but was able to be replaced, later Julius Laing fractured his ankle while Charles Webb also went off injured during the second half leaving Devonport with just 11 players. Neville St George was also injured during the match and missed several games.

24 April Ponsonby 31–21 Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Frank Delgrosso, Len Ward, Sydney Usher, C 'Dooley' Moore, R Allen, H Riley 2
Con: Frank Delgrosso 4
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
[8] Try: Horace Dixon, Alf Scott, Julius Laing 2, Allan Seagar
Con: Alf Scott 3
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: William Mincham
24 April City 39–16 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Nelson Bass 2, George Wade, Maurice Wetherill 3, Ben Davidson 2, G Cargill
Con: Nelson Bass 4, Selby Crewther
Pen: Selby Crewther
[9] Try: Clarrie Polson 2, George Morman, M Little
Con: Arthur Mansill 2
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: R Taylor
24 April Richmond 23–3 Grafton Auckland Domain  
3:00 Try: Jim Parkes 2, Frederick Bass, Ralph Jenkinson, Hyland
Con: Edmund Carroll 4
[9] Try: Lee Referee: A Saunders

Round 2

1 May Ponsonby 30–20 City Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Dempsey, C 'Dooley' Moore, Ivan Littlewood, Tim Peckham 2, Wilfred McNeil
Con: Frank Delgrosso 5
Pen: Frank Delgrosso
[10] Try: Lou Brown 3, E Mackie
Con: Selby Crewther 2
Pen: Nelson Bass
Drop: Selby Crewther
Referee: Les Bull
1 May Marist 31–11 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Hec Brisbane, Lineen, B Sweeney 2, Charles Gregory, Phil Brady, Nicholson
Con: Arthur Singe 3
Pen: Arthur Singe 2
[11] Try: Bert Avery, Jones, Ernie Herring
Con: Craddock Dufty
Referee: Percy Rogers
1 May Devonport 5–13 Richmond Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: A Harper
Con: Unknown x 1
[11] Try: W Little, Stevenson, Unknown x 1
Con: Jim Parkes 2
Referee: H Taylor

Round 3

The Marist team pictured in the newspaper after their match.

Ponsonby's win over Newton in this round was a club milestone, being their 100th first grade win. In their 17th season and 163rd match they became the second club in Auckland to do this after City Rovers achieved the feat 2 seasons earlier.

8 May Marist 19–15 Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Arthur Singe, Jack Kirwan, Jim O'Brien
Con: Arthur Singe 2
Pen: Arthur Singe 3
[12] Try: Len Scott 2, A Harper, Harry Douglas
Con: Clinton Boryer
Pen: Alf Scott
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: A Saunders
8 May City 21–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: George Wade, Henry Hawkes, Lou Brown, J Lewis, Billy Ghent
Con: Selby Crewther 2
Pen: Selby Crewther
[13] Try: Edmund Carroll, Hyland
Con: Edmund Carroll 2
Pen: Edmund Carroll
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: A Taylor
8 May Ponsonby 46–13 Newton Auckland Domain  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood 2, Leonard Riley 3, George Gardiner 3, Victor Fagan, Bert Payne
Con: Leonard Riley, Frank Delgrosso 4, Victor Fagan 2, Tim Peckham
[13] Try: Little, Arthur Mansill, Alan Clarke
Con: Clarrie Polson
Pen: Clarrie Polson
Referee: T Hill

Round 4

Roy Hardgrave stretchered off in Newton's match with Richmond with a suspected broken collarbone.

In the match between Newton Rangers and Richmond Rovers, flying winger Roy Hardgrave was thought to have broken his collarbone and was stretchered from the field. However it was later found that he had just received a kick to the shoulder after trying to stop a Richmond forward rush. Hardgrave was in his third season for Newton and in 1928 he would gain selection to the New Zealand side against England. His performances would gain the attention of the English management and in 1929 he signed with St Helens, going on to play 214 matches for them, scoring 174 tries. He returned to New Zealand briefly in 1934 but then went back to England, signing for York. In 1938 he returned once more and joined the young Mount Albert club, playing 22 games and scoring 19 tries as a 32 year old. In the same round Lou Brown scored 2 tries in City's 15-0 win over Marist. Brown was New Zealand's most prolific try scorer in its formative decades scoring around 300 tries in approximately 400 games in New Zealand, England, and France.

15 May City 15–0 Marist Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Lou Brown 2, J Lewis, C Mitchell, George Wade [14] Attendance: 9,000
Referee: A Taylor
15 May Newton 43–25 Richmond Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: M Herewini, Roy Hardgrave, M Little 2, Arthur Mansill, George Morman 3, Alan Clarke
Con: M Herewini, Arthur Mansill 5, Clarrie Polson
Pen: M Herewini
[15] Try: Jim Parkes, Avery, Bill Davis, Stan Prentice, Donald
Con: Jim Parkes 3
Pen: Jim Parkes 2
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Hill
15 May Devonport 6–13 Grafton Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: Clinton Boryer, Len Scott [15] Try: Bert Avery, Bill Te Whata, W Smith
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Referee: Les Bull

Round 5

Lou Brown tore a ligament in his foot in his match with Grafton and missed several matches but recovered in time to gain selection for the New Zealand team to tour England. His brother E Brown was also injured in the match which also saw G Rayner ordered off.

29 May Ponsonby 10–3 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: H Riley, Lou Hutt
Con: Tim Peckham 2
[16] Try: Hyland Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Les Bull
29 May City 33–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Ben Davidson, George Wade 3, Billy Ghent 3, Lou Brown 2
Con: Maurice Wetherill, Nelson Bass, Unknown x 1
[17] Try: W Smith, Penalty Try
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: William Mincham
29 May Marist 12–9 Newton Auckland Domain 2  
3:00 Try: Hansen, Jim O'Brien
Con: Arthur Singe 2
Pen: Arthur Singe
[18] Try: M Little
Con: Arthur Mansill
Pen: Arthur Mansill 2
Referee: Percy Rogers

Round 6

Frank Delgrosso left the field with a bad cut over his eye against Marist which required stitches and missed some game. Maurice Wetherill also missed City's match as he was sitting a plumbers exam. City were upset by Devonport.

5 June Marist 13–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Jack Kirwan 2, Arthur Singe
Con: Arthur Singe 2
[19] Try: Lou Hutt, Len Ward
Con: Tim Peckham
Referee: William Mincham
5 June Devonport 14–5 City Carlaw Park 1  
1:30 Try: Len Scott 2, Lyall Stewart, Harry Douglas
Con: Neville St George
[20] Try: William McLaughlin
Pen: Nelson Bass
Referee: Les Bull
5 June Newton 26–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Alan Clarke 3, Arthur Mansill, Wally Somers, Clarrie Polson
Con: Arthur Mansill 4
[21] Try: Jones 2
Pen: Lucas 2
Referee: McGowatt

Round 7

Hec Brisbane made return from a broken collarbone for Marist's match with Richmond. Roy Hardgrave of Newton also returned from his shoulder injury suffered in round 4.

12 June Marist 24–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: John Stormont, Jack Kirwan, F Hanson, Jim O'Brien, Bob Crewther 2
Con: Arthur Singe 3
[22] Try: Stan Prentice, Frederick Bass
Con: Edmund Carroll
Pen: Edmund Carroll
Referee: L Taylor
12 June Ponsonby 19–14 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
2:45 Try: Hector Cole 2, H Goodley 2, Ivan Littlewood
Con: Hector Cole, Tim Peckham
[23] Try: Craddock Dufty, Smith
Con: Craddock Dufty 2
Pen: Craddock Dufty
Drop: George Rayner
Referee: Les Bull
12 June Devonport 40–14 Newton Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: Horace Dixon, Len Scott 5, Ernest Ruby, Bert Laing, Alf Scott 2
Con: Bert Laing 3, Alf Scott 2
[24] Try: M Little, Alan Clarke, G Rhodes, Penalty Try
Pen: Arthur Mansill
Referee: William Mincham

Round 8

George Gardiner on the left, Stan Webb making a tackle, with H Riley close behind and Allan Seagar on the right.

The scoring between Ponsonby and Devonport was dominated by New Zealand internationals from the past, present and future. Ivan Littlewood scored for Ponsonby along with Frank Delgrosso who was in the prime of his career. Delgrosso also kicked 2 goals and would go on to score over 700 points for Ponsonby making him one of the most prolific club scorers in Auckland from 1910 to 1950. Tim Peckham was their third try scorer, with Leonard Riley gaining their other try. Riley did not represent New Zealand but his brother Brian Riley did in 1932. For Devonport New Zealand representatives Lyall Stewart, Len Scott, and Jim O'Brien scored tries, with Bert Laing converting 2.

19 June Ponsonby 19–16 Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Frank Delgrosso, Tim Peckham, H Riley 2
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
[25] Try: Lyall Stewart, Len Scott 2, Jim O'Brien
Con: Bert Laing 2
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Les Bull
19 June City 34–20 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
2:45 Try: Alf Townsend 2, George Wade 4, Henry Hawkes, Billy Ghent
Con: Maurice Wetherill 5
[26] Try: Roy Hardgrave 2, Clarrie Polson, M Brown
Con: Arthur Mansill 3
Pen: Arthur Mansill
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: William Mincham
19 June Grafton 11–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
1:30 Try: Ernie Herring
Con: Craddock Dufty
Pen: Craddock Dufty 3
[26] Try: Frederick Bass, W Donald
Con: Jim Parkes
Pen: Jim Parkes
Referee: Percy Rogers

Round 9

Johnson was ordered off early in the match for Grafton against Marist.

17 July City 11–8 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: George Wade 2, Billy Ghent
Pen: Maurice Wetherill
[27] Try: George Gardiner, H Goodley
Con: Frank Delgrosso
Referee: H Taylor
17 July Devonport 24–0 Richmond Carlaw Park 2  
2:45 Try: Jim O'Brien, Horace Dixon, Len Scott, Stanley Rule 2, K Scott
Con: Bert Laing Allan Seagar 2
[28] Referee: Les Bull
17 July Marist 19–2 Grafton Carlaw Park 1  
1:30 Try: B Sweeney, Hudson, Jim O'Brien, F Hanson, Jack Kirwan
Con: Charles Gregory, Bob Crewther
[28] Try: George Rayner Referee: Vic Simpson

Round 10

Clarrie Polson, Newton's New Zealand representative was leaving at this point in the season to go and live in Wellington. Eric Grey came out of retirement to play for Ponsonby. In his first game since 1924 he scored a try and kicked a drop goal in their win over Newton.

24 July Devonport 31–13 Marist Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: Stanley Rule, Len Scott, Ernest Ruby 2, Allan Seagar, Bert Laing, Horace Dixon
Con: Alf Scott 5
[29] Try: Mannix, Jock Johnson, Bob Crewther
Con: Charles Gregory 2
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Les Bull
24 July Ponsonby 42–15 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
2:45 Try: Frank Delgrosso 3, H Goodley, J Payne 2, George Gardiner, R Allen, Eric Grey, Victor Fagan
Con: Frank Delgrosso, George Gardiner 2
Pen: George Gardiner 2
Drop: Eric Grey
[30] Try: M Little, Charles Hand, Penalty Try
Con: Charles Hand 2
Pen: Charles Hand
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Percy Rogers
24 July City 10–6 Richmond Victoria Park  
3:00 Try: J Lewis, Billy Ghent
Con: Maurice Wetherill
Pen: Maurice Wetherill
[30] Try: Frederick Bass, Ray Hyland Referee: T Hill

Round 11

L Taylor transferred from the Whitiora rugby league club in Hamilton and scored a try and kicked 6 goals on debut for Richmond and went on to become the second highest point scorer in senior competition from just 6 games.

14 August City 22–13 Marist Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: George Wade 3, Maurice Wetherill 2, J Lewis
Con: Maurice Wetherill 2
[31] Try: B Sweeney 2, William Noble
Con: Pickering
Pen: Pickering
Referee: William Mincham
14 August Richmond 30–5 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: L Taylor, Stan Prentice 3, E Redwood, Frederick Bass
Con: L Taylor 3
Pen: L Taylor 3
[32] Try: M Little
Pen: M Herewini
Referee: H Taylor
14 August Devonport 42–8 Grafton Devonport Domain  
3:00 Try: Lyall Stewart 2, J Hemingway 2, Len Scott, Alf Scott, Ernest Ruby, Julius Laing, E Cleaver, Jim O'Brien
Con: Alf Scott 4, Allan Seagar, Rykers
[32] Try: Charles Webb, Moros
Pen: Lucas
Referee: Les Bull

Round 12

Newton only had 10 players for the entirety of their match with Marist but still made a game of it only losing 15–11.

21 August Ponsonby 20–11 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, H Riley, Victor Fagan, Lou Hutt
Con: Tim Peckham 3
Pen: Eric Grey
[33] Try: Frederick Bass
Pen: L Taylor 3
Drop: L Taylor
Referee: H Taylor
21 August City 47–18 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Maurice Wetherill, George Wade 2, Nelson Bass 2, Billy Ghent 3, J Lewis, Henry Hawkes 2
Con: Maurice Wetherill 3, J Lewis, E Brown
Pen: Maurice Wetherill 2
[7] Try: Moros, Pitman, Penalty Try, Callaghan
Con: Heard, Lucas 2
Referee: G McGowatt
21 August Marist 15–11 Newton Carlaw Park 2  
1:45 Try: Jim O'Brien, B Sweeney, Bob Crewther
Con: Jim O'Brien 3
[33] Try: Grover, M Little 2
Con: M Herewini
Referee: Bert Emirali

Round 13

The captains and referees (Tim Peckham, Jim O'Brien (Marist), Jim O'Brien (Devonport), Maurice Wetherill, and referees William Mincham and Les Bull)
The captains and referees (Tim Peckham, Jim O'Brien (Marist), Jim O'Brien (Devonport), Maurice Wetherill, and referees William Mincham and Les Bull)
4 September City 14–9 Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Billy Ghent, E Mackie
Con: Maurice Wetherill 2
Pen: Maurice Wetherill 2
[34] Try: J Hemingway, Horace Dixon, K Scott Referee: Les Bull
4 September Ponsonby 10–8 Marist Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: R Allen, H Riley
Con: Eric Grey
Pen: Eric Grey
[34] Try: Moore, F Hanson
Con: Pickering
Referee: William Mincham
4 September Newton 13–12 Grafton Auckland Domain  
3:00 Try: Alan Clarke 3
Con: Alan Clarke 2
[35] Try: Jones 2
Con: Jones
Pen: Jones 2
Referee: H Taylor

Final

11 September Ponsonby 13–8 City Carlaw Park  
3:00 Try: Kenneth Peckham, Sydney Usher, Len Ward
Con: Tim Peckham
Pen: Eric Grey
[36] Try: Selby Crewther, Nelson Bass
Con: Maurice Wetherill
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: William Mincham

Roope Rooster knockout competition

Devonport v Marist in the Roope Rooster semi final on September 25 at Carlaw Park.

Richmond Bulldogs won the Roope Rooster for the first time with a 16–15 win over Devonport in the final. This was their first major trophy.

Round 1

18 September Ponsonby 12–2 City Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Wilfred McNeil, H Goodley, Ivan Littlewood, Len Ward [37] Pen: Maurice Wetherill Referee: Les Bull
18 September Marist 29–10 Grafton Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Bob Crewther 2, Bulcraig, Sweeney, F Hanson, Jim O'Brien, Jock Johnson
Con: Pickering 3, Jim O'Brien
[37] Try: Wilson, C Timmons
Con: Heard
Pen: Heard
Referee: William Mincham
18 September Richmond 25–15 Newton Carlaw Park 1  
1:30 Try: L Taylor 3, W Donald, Devon
Con: L Taylor 2
Pen: L Taylor 3
[37] Try: Irvine, George Morman, Little
Con: Alan Clarke
Pen: Alan Clarke 2
Referee: Percy Rogers

Semi-finals

Wilfred McNeil of the Ponsonby side broke a rib and received treatment at Auckland Hospital before being discharged. While W. Donald of the Richmond side also went to hospital after suffering a broken collarbone and concussion. He was also able to go home after treatment.

25 September Richmond 13–12 Ponsonby Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Stan Prentice, Avery, Unknown x 1
Con: Edmund Carroll
Pen: L Taylor
Try: H Riley, H Goodley
Con: Peckham
Pen: Eric Grey
Drop: Eric Grey
Referee: McGowatt
25 September Devonport 28–11 Marist Carlaw Park 2  
3:00 Try: Len Scott, Horace Dixon, Bert Laing 2, Ernest Ruby, Alf Scott, Hemingway
Con: Bert Laing 3
Pen: Bert Laing
Try: Sweeney
Pen: Pickering
Referee: Les Bull

Final

16 October Richmond 16–15

[38]

Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Stan Prentice, L Taylor 2, Bill Davis
Con: L Taylor, Edmund Carroll
Try: Ernest Ruby, Len Scott, Jim O'Brien
Con: Bert Laing 2
Pen: Bert Laing
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Les Bull

Stormont Shield

Ponsonby won the Stormont Shield again after winning it in the previous season which was the first year it had been contested after the passing of Bill Stormont months earlier who it was named in honour of.

22 October Ponsonby 15–5 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: A Payne, Tim Peckham, C 'Dooley' Moore
Con: Tim Peckham 3
[39] Try: Bill Davis
Con: L Taylor
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Les Bull

Top try scorers and point scorers (senior grade and Roope Rooster)

B Division standings and results

B Division standings

Team Pld W D L F A Pts
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 14101316613921
Kingsland Rovers 1490517710118
Ellerslie United 147251039816
Māngere United 1471613411315
Otahuhu Rovers 144286812410
Parnell 143012761496

B Division results

Otahuhu in 1944 showing the Otahuhu Trotting Ground in the centre, to the south of the Otahuhu Railway Workshops. The US Military camp (Camp Euart) was on the trotting ground in this photo.

At the start of the season Auckland Rugby League secured the use of part of the Otahuhu Trotting Ground to play games at. Primarily Otahuhu played their matches there, both the B grade side and their lower grade teams. Auckland Rugby League had the use of the ground until around 1930 with Auckland Rugby using the grounds for a handful of years before it was no longer used by sports teams.

1926 First Grade Results
Date Score Score Venue
Round 1 24 April[8] Ellerslie3Parnell2Auckland Domain
24 AprilMangere37Northcote8Victoria Park
24 AprilKingsland5Otahuhu3Otahuhu
Round 2 1 May[10] Otahuhu6Parnell5Otahuhu
1 MayMangere16Kingsland13Auckland Domain
1 MayNorthcote7Ellerslie6Auckland Domain
Round 3 8 May[12] Otahuhu8Ellerslie8Otahuhu
8 MayNorthcote10Kingsland7Victoria Park
8 MayMangere13Parnell3Mangere
Round 4 15 May[40] Ellerslie5Kingsland0Ellerslie Reserve
15 MayNorthcote15Parnell11Victoria Park
15 MayMangere0Otahuhu10Mangere
Round 5 31 May[41] Ellerslie8Mangere0Carlaw Park # 1
31 MayOtahuhu5Northcote5Victoria Park
31 MayKingsland24Parnell8Auckland Domain
Round 6 5 June[42] Kingsland18Otahuhu3Victoria Park
5 JuneMangere15Northcote14Auckland Domain
5 JuneEllerslieWBDParnellLBDAuckland Domain
Round 7 12 June[43] Mangere7Kingsland8Mangere
12 JuneNorthcote8Ellerslie5Ellerslie Reserve
12 JuneParnell10Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 1
Round 8 19 June[25] Ellerslie11Otahuhu0Auckland Domain
19 JuneMangere14Parnell5Mangere Trotting Ground
19 JuneKingsland18Northcote2Victoria Park
Round 9 17 July[27] Ellerslie11Kingsland10Auckland Domain # 1, 3pm
17 JulyOtahuhu0Mangere6Otahuhu, 3pm
17 JulyNorthcote21Parnell5Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 10 24 July[29] Ellerslie13Mangere13Ellerslie Reserve
24 JulyKingsland11Parnell8Carlaw Park # 2, 2.30 pm
24 JulyNorthcote12Otahuhu4Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm
Round 11 14 Aug[31] Ellerslie10Parnell6Carlaw Park # 1
14 AugKingsland24Otahuhu0Auckland Domain
14 AugNorthcote10Mangere5Victoria Park
Round 12 21 Aug[7] Northcote16Ellerslie11Ellerslie Reserve
21 AugKingsland21Mangere8Auckland Domain
21 AugParnell10Otahuhu9Victoria Park
Round 13 4 Sep[34] Northcote18Kingsland7Carlaw Park #1, 1.45 pm
4 SepOtahuhu17Ellerslie10Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
4 SepParnellWBDMangereLBDAuckland Domain # 6, 3pm
Round 14 11 Sep[44] Northcote20Parnell3Carlaw Park # 2
11 SepKingsland11Ellerslie2Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm
11 SepOtahuhuWBDMangereLBDOtahuhu Trotting Grounds

In Round 6 Parnell defaulted to Ellerslie with the club secretary saying "the fact that five men are on the injured list and that others have had to leave town to seek work in the country were the chief factors".[45]

Stallard Cup knockout competition

This was the second year that the B Division knockout competition had been competed for.

1926 Stallard Cup results
Date Score Score Venue
Round 1 18 Sep[46] Mangere17Ellerslie16Mangere Black Bridge, 3pm
18 SepParnell13Northcote13Devonport, 3pm
Round 1 25 Sep[47] Kingsland13Northcote12Carlaw Park # 2, 1.30 pm
Round 1 25 SepOtahuhu8Mangere5Otahuhu Reserve, 3pm
Semi-final 9 Oct[48] Parnell11Otahuhu3Carlaw Park # 2, 3pm
Final 16 Oct[49] Kingsland25Parnell13Carlaw Park # 1

Other club matches and lower grades

Lower grade competitions

Second grade

Devonport beat City in the final on September 18 by 6 points to 3. Grafton won the knockout final when they beat Point Chevalier. They had defeated Kingsland and Ponsonby in the semi-finals respectively. Marist withdrew after 2 rounds while Newton withdrew after 10 rounds, Otahuhu after 13 rounds, and Mangere after 15. A large number of results were not reported so the standings are incomplete.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Devonport United 16411193359
Point Chevalier 1571131003715
Ponsonby United 156133964513
City Rovers 16412098219
Grafton Athletic 15301149356
Richmond Rovers 151083551362
Kingsland Rovers 1500328520
Māngere United 1100140170
Otahuhu Rovers 1200110210
Newton Rangers 8003251050
Marist Old Boys 20000000

Third grade

Grafton Athletic won the championship and had a season record of 19 wins and 1 loss, for 371, against 63 including their 2 knockout games where they defeated United Suburbs in the semi-final and Devonport United in the final. Ellerslie withdrew after 7 rounds. The majority of match scores were not reported in the newspapers so the standings are incomplete.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Grafton Athletic 17160123716332
Ponsonby United 16402255238
United Suburbs 15303237246
Devonport United 16204132634
New Lynn 14101321292
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 1300443270
Māngere United 1300443620
Glen Eden 1500522680
Ellerslie United 50012040

Third grade intermediate

Richmond had a 10 win, 2 loss record for the season and also won the knockout competition. They scored 127 points and conceded 57. They defeated Devonport in the knockout final after beating Newton 5-0 in the semi-finals. Devonport had beaten Glen Eden 21-4 in the other semi final. United Suburbs withdrew after 2 rounds while Parnell withdrew after 9 rounds. Curiously Glen Eden joined the competition in the 5th round, then Mangere joined in the 9th round, while a Ponsonby side was also listed in the fixtures for the 9th round but no other rounds. Very few results were reported though it was mentioned that Richmond had won 10 matches and lost 2, scoring 127 and conceding 57 though it is unknown if this also included their knockout matches.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Richmond Rovers 1181211225717
Parnell 8302164486
Newton Rangers 9111311163
Devonport United 11103035402
Kingsland Rovers 11101128292
Glen Eden 700110230
Māngere United 30000000
United Suburbs 20000000

Fourth grade

Parnell won the championship. Richmond won the knockout competition defeating Grafton 6-3 in the final on October 23. Richmond had beaten Parnell in one semi final while Grafton defeated City in the other. Marist withdrew from the competition after 2 rounds, New Lynn after 3 rounds, Newton after 9 rounds, and Otahuhu after 13. A significant number of results were not reported however 13 of Parnell's 14 results were reported. On September 4 in the match between Ellerslie and Richmond the referee ordered the entire Ellerslie team off at halftime due to verbal abuse while they were leading 8-5. The match was awarded to Richmond.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Parnell 14121141652225
Ponsonby United 155123695211
Grafton Athletic 1631125577
Richmond Rovers 16313269477
Ellerslie United 14206445654
City Rovers 14104412352
Point Chevalier 151063311052
Newton Rangers 810310650
Otahuhu Rovers 1200318560
New Lynn 30000000
Marist Old Boys 20010000

Fifth grade

Richmond won the competition and they also won the knockout competition when they defeated Northcote in the final on October 9. Northcote turned their season around after suffering several heavy losses and temporarily withdrawing from the championship before later rejoining and winning some matches. Grafton withdrew after 12 rounds. The majority of results were not reported. On September 11 in the final round the only match played was between Richmond and Devonport with Richmond winning 13-11. It is possible that this match was the final of the championship. All of Devonport's 3 defeats were to Richmond while they easily won their other two reported results (20-2 and 19-0 over Ponsonby and Grafton respectively).

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Richmond Rovers 125003791310
Ellerslie United 1350111001210
Devonport United 15203052254
Grafton Athletic 11205117894
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 112030211184
Ponsonby United 12105236482

Sixth grade A

City A won the championship. Akarana won the knockout competition.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
City Rovers A 13100032192520
Richmond Rovers 1270341473714
Akarana 1270341084214
Grafton Athletic 11205117894
Otahuhu United 132063741624
City Rovers B 1420102431734
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers 9004351310

Sixth grade B

Richmond won the 6th grade A championship. Grafton won the knockout competition when they defeated Richmond in the final on August 28 by 8 points to 0. There were several results not reported so the standings are incomplete. The City side joined in the 3rd round which created a 5 team competition and the need for a bye each round.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Richmond Rovers 10311144327
Grafton Athletic 9401266158
City Rovers 7311227297
Akarana 7203419414
Point Chevalier 900928470

Schoolboys competition

The schoolboys competition was a somewhat informal one with teams joining as the weeks went by as such the table is an indication only of how the respective teams went. It began on September 25 when schoolboys from Otahuhu beat schoolboys from Parnell 5 to 3. Grey Lynn fielded a side on October 16 and lost 6-0 to Parnell while on the same day Papatoetoe drew with Otahuhu 6-6 in their first match. Then on October 23 Newmarket fielded a team which lost to Grey Lynn 9-6 while Richmond made their debut with a 16-8 win over Papatoetoe.

Team Pld W D L B F A Pts
Otahuhu Schoolboys 4211044225
Parnell Schoolboys 5203025514
Grey Lynn Schoolboys 3201015174
Richmond Schoolboys 2200029114
Newmarket Schoolboys 2002011150
Papatoetoe Schoolboys 2002014220

Exhibition matches

Taupiri v Ponsonby

18 May Taupiri 6-16 Ponsonby Taupiri  
3:00 Try: Allan, Davis [50] Try: Ivan Littlewood, Payne, Hector Cole, George Gardiner
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
Date Score Score Venue
Exhibition match 30 Aug[51] Hamilton16Northcote17Hamilton
Exhibition match 9 Oct[52] New Lynn 3rd Grade0Waikato Junior Team3Carlaw Park # 1, 1.30 pm
Exhibition match 23 Oct[53] Kingsland24Huntly13Carlaw Park

Representative season

Representative fixtures

Ivan Littlewood playing for Auckland against 'The Rest' at Carlaw Park in July. He was being pursued by Saunders and Wilson-Hall.

The first representative fixture of the season was played on 26 June between Auckland and South Auckland. The match was the first trial game for the selection of the New Zealand team to tour England. With the score a lopsided 33–3 at halftime the selectors added five local Auckland players to the South Auckland team to even the match somewhat and it finished 49 to 15 in favour of the hosts.

While not principally an Auckland team playing the trial matches between North Island and South Island, and the A and B match were heavily populated by Auckland players.

The team selected to represent New Zealand featured a large number of Auckland players; Craddock Dufty (Grafton), Charles Gregory (Marist), George Gardiner (Ponsonby), Jim Parkes (Richmond), Lou Brown (City), Ben Davidson (City), Jack Kirwan (Marist), Hec Brisbane (Marist), Hector Cole (Ponsonby), Stan Webb (Devonport), Frank Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Ernie Herring (Grafton), Arthur Singe (Marist), and Bert Avery (captain) (Grafton).[54]

Before the team departed they played Auckland at Carlaw Park and went down in a high scoring game by 52 points to 32 after fielding a slightly weakened team against a strong Auckland side.

Auckland v South Auckland

Due to the lopsided match where the halftime score was 33–3 Auckland gave several players to the South Auckland team at halftime including Arthur Mansill who kicked 3 goals for the visiting side.

26 June Auckland 49–15 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Lou Brown, Ben Davidson, Frank Delgrosso 4, Hector Cole, Tim Peckham, Jim O'Brien 2, Bert Avery 3
Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Tim Peckham, Arthur Singe
Drop: Ben Davidson
[55] Try: Parkes, C Gieson, Davies
Con: Arthur Mansill
Pen: Arthur Mansill
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: W Mincham

North Island v South Island

3 July North Island 31–22 South Island Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Wally Desmond, Ben Davidson, Jack Kirwan, Hector Cole 2, Bert Avery
Con: Craddock Dufty 5
[56] Try: G Brittenden, T Callentire, Jack Wright, Len Mason
Con: Frank Henry, Neil Mouat
Pen: Frank Henry, Neil Mouat 2
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Les Bull

A Team v B Team (NZ trial)

3 July A Team 16–25 B Team Carlaw Park  
1:15 Try: Lou Brown 3, H Riley
Con: Frank Delgrosso 2
[57] Try: Jim Parkes 3, Nelson Bass 2
Con: Arthur Mansill 4
Pen: Arthur Mansill
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: W Mincham

Auckland v The Rest (of NZ)

Auckland played a midweek match with a rest of New Zealand side with 4,000 in attendance.

7 July Auckland 21–28 The Rest Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ivan Littlewood, Stan Webb, J Lewis, Frank Delgrosso 2
Con: Arthur Mansill 3
[58] Try: Sanders 3, Wally Desmond, Wilson Hall, Neil Mouat
Con: Neil Mouat 4
Pen: Neil Mouat
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Les Bull

Probables v Possibles (NZ trial)

10 July Probables 15–32 Possibles Carlaw Park 1  
2:45 Try: Wally Desmond 2, Stan Webb (obstruction try)
Con: Craddock Dufty 3
[59] Try: P Hickey, Hec Brisbane 2, Neil Mouat, Bill Devine 2, Joe Menzies, J Tallentire
Con: Neil Mouat 4
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Les Bull

A Team v B Team (NZ trial)

10 July A Team 28–30 B Team Carlaw Park 1  
1:15 Try: Wilson (jnr) 2, Jim O'Brien, Alan Clarke, W Little 2
Con: Arthur Mansill 5
[59] Try: George Wade 2, Claude List, Alf Townsend, Horace Dixon, C 'Dooley' Moore
Con: George Gardiner 6
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Percy Rogers

Auckland v New Zealand

31 July Auckland 52–32 New Zealand Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Claude List, George Wade, Maurice Wetherill 3, Stan Prentice, Tim Peckham, Alf Scott, Horace Dixon 2, Jim O'Brien 2, Jim O'Brien
Con: Arthur Mansill 2, Alf Scott 3, Neville St George
[60] Try: Wally Desmond, Lou Brown, Wilson Hall 2, Bert Avery, Len Mason, Frank Henry, Alphonsus Carroll
Con: Craddock Dufty, George Gardiner 3
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: W Mincham

Auckland v Otago (Northern Union C.C.)

Auckland v Otago at Carlaw Park, August 7, 1926

Future Kiwi Len Scott also debuted for Auckland after coming on to replace the injured Harry Douglas. The newspapers erroneously had Neville St George named at prop but during the match reports said that Douglas (unnamed in starting side) came off injured.

7 August Auckland 14–4 Otago Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Claude List, George Wade, Tim Peckham, Albert Payne
Con: George Wade
[61] Pen: Bert Eckhoff 2 Referee: Harlock

Auckland v Canterbury (Northern Union C.C.)

Auckland v Canterbury
28 August Auckland 33–15 Canterbury Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: George Wade 4, Claude List 2, Ivan Littlewood, Horace Dixon, Albert Payne
Con: George Rayner 2, Alf Scott
[62] Try: C Batchelor, Le Warne, G Dawkins
Con: A Collie 2
Pen: A Collie
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: R.T. Hill

Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union C.C.)

9 October Auckland 25–8 South Auckland (Waikato) Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Claude List 3, George Wade, Jim O'Brien, Allan Seagar 2
Con: Alf Scott 2
[63] Try: Davis, Metcalf
Drop: George Rayner
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: William Mincham

Auckland Colts v B Division representatives

30 October Auckland Colts 24–17 B Division Representatives Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Hammond, George Wade, Allan Seagar, Sydney Usher 2, Ernest Ruby
Con: William Hanlon, Allan Seagar, Crewther
[64] Try: Thompson 2, Clarke, Croxson, Unknown x 1
Con: Eustace
Referee: A Saunders

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

This list only includes the Auckland team games against South Auckland (x2), The Rest (of NZ), New Zealand, Otago, Canterbury, and South Auckland (Waikato)

NoNameClub TeamPlayTriesConPenDGPoints
1Claude ListKingsland4700021
1George WadeCity4700021
3Frank DelgrossoPonsonby2600018
4Jim O'BrienDevonport6500015
4Alf ScottDevonport4160015
6Tim PeckhamPonsonby3100011
7Arthur MansillNewton3050010
8Maurice WetherillCity430009
8Bert AveryGrafton130009
8Horace DixonDevonport430009
11Ivan LittlewoodPonsonby420006
11Albert PaynePonsonby520006
11Allan SeagarDevonport120006
14Ben DavidsonCity110015
15Craddock DuftyGrafton102004
15George RaynerGrafton102004
17Lou BrownCity110003
17Hector ColePonsonby110003
17Stan WebbDevonport110003
17J LewisCity110003
17Stan PrenticeRichmond410003
17Jim O'BrienMarist210003
23Arthur SingeMarist101002
23Neville St GeorgeDevonport201002
25Alf TownsendCity400000
25Lou HuttPonsonby300000
25Alan ClarkeNewton200000
25Frederick BassRichmond100000
25Charles GregoryMarist100000
25Hec BrisbaneMarist100000
25Ernie HerringGrafton100000
25Len ScottDevonport100000
25Billy GhentCity100000
25Trevor HanlonRichmond100000
25Lawrence Leonard RileyPonsonby100000
25Eric CleaverDevonport100000
25Harry DouglasNorth Shore100000
25B DavisRichmond100000

Annual general meetings and club news

Auckland Rugby League Juniors On 16 March Auckland Rugby League held its Junior Management Committee annual meeting where it was noted that the number of teams during the 1925 season was 75, with approximately 1,200 registered players.[65] The full Auckland Rugby League annual report stated that in 1925 there were 12 senior teams and 103 junior teams playing in the various competitions, representing an increase of three senior and 28 junior teams. There was a total of 2,364 playing members.[66] It was also noted that the total receipts from club fixtures was £3,136 and the total amount taken at all games was just over £7,000. The executive intended on spending money on improving the dressing accommodation for players at Carlaw Park, and when funds permit constructing a permanent grandstand.

References

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