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.
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.[1]
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.[2]
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.
Myers Cup standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Rovers | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 164 | 70 | 14 |
| Ponsonby United | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 205 | 117 | 14 |
| North Shore Albions | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 80 | 68 | 6 |
| Newton Rangers | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 51 | 138 | 2 |
| Eden Ramblers | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 42 | 149 | 2 |
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, S Cole, Charles Dillimore, Sid Riley 2 Con: S Cole 2 |
[3] | Try: Sainsbury |
Referee: Jaggs |
| 20 May | City | 13–3 | North Shore | Victoria Park | ||
| Try: William Moeki, Jim Rukutai 2 Con: Alex Stanaway 2 |
[4] | Try: 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 |
[5] | 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, S Cole 3, + 4 unattributed conversions |
[5] | 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, S Houghton, Alf Chorley Con: S Cole 2, Charles Dillimore |
[6] | 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: Winters |
[7] | Try: Don Kenealy, J Cummings |
Referee: Jaggs |
Round 4
| 17 June | Newton | 13–8 | Eden | Victoria Park | ||
| Try: Short, Charles Linkhorn, + 1 unattributed try Con: Jim Bennett 2 |
[8] | 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 |
[9] | Try: Bailey, Jim Griffen |
Referee: Bob Oliphant |
Round 5
| 24 June | City | 20–4 | Eden | Victoria Park | ||
| Try: Robinson, Albert Asher, Julian, George Hunt Con: Albert Asher 3 Pen: Albert Asher |
[10] | Pen: Don Kenealy 2 |
Referee: Cunningham |
| 24 June | North Shore | 17–2 | Newton | Takapuna Racecourse | ||
| Try: Frederick Gladding, Stan Walters 2, Ernie Bailey, Alfred Jackson Con: Jim Griffen |
[11] | Pen: Jim Bennett |
Referee: Pitts |
Round 6
| 1 July | North Shore | 3–11 | City | Takapuna Racecourse | ||
| Try: Frederick Gladding |
[12] | Try: 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, S Houghton Con: Charles Dillimore 3, S Cole 2 Pen: Charles Dillimore |
[13] | Try: Jim Bennett 3 Con: Jim Bennett 2 |
Referee: Harker |
Round 7
| 8 July | City | 32–12 | Newton | Victoria Park | ||
| Try: Wilson, Albert Asher, Harold Denize 2, Harry Childs, Bob Mitchell, Phillips, Warner Con: Albert Asher 4 |
[14] | Try: Marshall, Len Farrant Con: Len Farrant Pen: Jim Bennett 2 |
Referee: Bob Oliphant |
| 8 July | Ponsonby | 24–0 | Eden | Avondale | ||
| Try: S Houghton, Charles Dillimore 3, Arthur Carlaw, Henry Bettis Con: S Houghton, Arthur Carlaw, S Cole |
[15] | Referee: Cunningham |
Round 8
| 15 July | City | 25–0 | Ponsonby | Takapuna Racecourse | ||
| Try: William Moeki, George Hunt 2, Bob Mitchell, Robinson, Phillips 2 Con: Albert Asher, Phillips |
[16] |
| 15 July | North Shore | 8–0 | Eden | Auckland Domain | ||
| Try: Farquharson, Stan Walters Con: Frederick Gladding |
[17] |
Round 9
| 22 July | Ponsonby | 14–13 | North Shore | Takapuna Racecourse | ||
| Try: Arthur Carlaw 2, Charles Dillimore, Henry Bettis Con: S Cole |
[18] | Try: Stan Walters, William Wynyard, Billy Harrison Con: Frederick Gladding Pen: Frederick Gladding |
Referee: Cunningham |
| 22 July | Eden | 14–5 | Newton | Auckland Domain | ||
| Try: Don Kenealy, Harris 2, W Fairweather Pen: Don Kenealy |
[19] | 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, G Hunt Con: Albert Asher 6 |
[20] | Try: Charles Dunning 2, T Wilson Con: S 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.
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Lower grades
Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold:
- Second Grade: City Rovers, North Shore Albions, Ponsonby United, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers
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: S Cole |
[21] | Try: George Gillett, Roy Siddells, Ernie Buckland, Dave Mason Con: Arthur Francis 2 |
Referee: R Oliphant |
Auckland v New Zealand
| 29 July | Auckland | 11–3 | New Zealand | Takapuna Racecourse | ||
| 3:00 | Try: J Kay, Arthur Carlaw, Stan Walters Con: Albert Asher |
[22] | Try: Ernie Buckland |
Referee: Bob Oliphant |
Auckland v Wellington (Northern Union Cup)
| 5 Aug | Auckland | 16–8 | Wellington | Victoria Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: J Kay 2, Albert Asher, Jim Bennett Con: Frank Morse Pen: Frank Morse |
[23] | Try: Bob Mitchell 2 Con: A Seeling |
Attendance: 5000 Referee: Cunningham |
Auckland v Lower Waikato
J 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: J Kay 2, F Hall, R Gleeson Con: Reg Sprague 3 Pen: Reg Sprague Drop: Hall |
[24] | Try: E Robinson, Bob Mitchell, Joe Bennett 4, Arthur Carlaw, George Seagar, Alfred Jackson 2 Con: Charles Dunning 2, Jim Griffen |
Attendance: 400 Referee: Cunningham |
Auckland v Hawke's Bay (Northern Union C.C.)
| 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 |
[25] | Try: Jim Johnson, G Jackson, George Frater Con: G Jackson Drop: G Jackson |
Attendance: 3000 Referee: W 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 |
[26] | 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 |
[27] | 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, C Linkhorn Con: Charles Dunning 2 |
[28] | Try: W Paewai, Hopi Kani Con: W Hiha Pen: W Hiha |
Attendance: 500 Referee: 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 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 to Waihi and ran out winners 20-10. For the Country side Rukingi Reke kicked 2 conversions.
| 14 October | Country | 10-20 | Auckland | Waihi Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: F Hall, St George Con: Rukingi Reke 2 |
[29] | Try: Albert Asher 2, E Robinson, Frank Morse, Henry Bettis, George Seagar Con: 1 x unknown |
Referee: R. Oliphant |
Auckland representative matches played and scorers
| Rank | Name | Club | Play | Tries | Con | Pen | Mark | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Bennett | Newton Rangers | 7 | 9 | - | - | - | 27 |
| 2 | Charles Dunning | Ponsonby United | 6 | - | 12 | 1 | - | 26 |
| 3 | Albert Asher | City Rovers | 7 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 20 |
| 4 | Jim Griffen | North Shore Albions | 8 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 14 |
| 5 | Harry Fricker | Ponsonby United | 7 | 4 | - | - | - | 12 |
| 5 | Jim Rukutai | Manukau Rovers | 7 | 4 | - | - | - | 12 |
| 7 | Frank Morse | City Rovers | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | 10 |
| 7 | George Seagar | North Shore Albions | 4 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 10 |
| 9 | Arthur Carlaw | Ponsonby United | 6 | 3 | - | - | - | 9 |
| 9 | J Kay | Komakorau (Ngaruawahia Comp.) | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | 9 |
| 11 | Alfred Jackson | North Shore Albions | 9 | 2 | - | - | - | 6 |
| 11 | Bob Mitchell | City Rovers | 6 | 2 | - | - | - | 6 |
| 11 | George Harrison | North Shore Albions | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | 6 |
| 11 | Stan Walters | North Shore Albions | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | 6 |
| 11 | E Robinson | City Rovers | 7 | 2 | - | - | - | 6 |
| 16 | Alf Chorley | Ponsonby United | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 |
| 16 | C Linkhorn | Newton Rangers | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 |
| 16 | Reg Sprague | Lower Waikato (Ngaruawahia) | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 |
| 16 | George Hunt | City Rovers | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 |
| 20 | S Cole | Ponsonby United | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | 2 |
| 21 | Harry Childs | City Rovers | 7 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Charles Dillimore | Ponsonby United | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Don Kenealy | Eden Ramblers | 3 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Stan Weston | North Shore Albions | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | S Houghton | Ponsonby United | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | J Cummings | Eden Ramblers | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | J O’Sullivan | City Rovers | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Ernie Asher | City Rovers | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Ronald MacDonald | North Shore Albions | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Roy Denize | City Rovers | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Henry Bettis | Ponsonby United | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
References
- "Eden Ramblers Club". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14666). 28 April 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "None". Auckland Star. XLII (124). 26 May 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- "Ponsonby v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (120). 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "City v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (120). 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Newton v City". Auckland Star. XLII (126). 29 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Ponsonby United v City Rovers". Auckland Star. XLII (132). 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "North Shore v Eden Ramblers". Auckland Star. XLII (132). 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Newton v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (144). 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (144). 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "City v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (150). 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "North Shore Albions v Newton Rangers". Auckland Star. XLII (150). 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "City v North Shore/City's Tough Tussle". Auckland Star. XLII (156). 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Ponsonby v Newton/Walk Over for Ponsonby". Auckland Star. XLII (156). 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "City v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (162). 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Ponsonby v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (162). 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "City v Ponsonby". Auckland Star. XLII (168). 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Eden v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (168). 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (174). 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Eden v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (174). 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Senior Championship/Won by City Rovers". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14788). 18 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "New Zealand v Auckland/Win for Dominion Team". Auckland Star. XLII (138). 12 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "New Zealand v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (180). 31 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "First Challenge Match/Wellington v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (186). 7 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Auckland v Lower Waikato". Auckland Star. XLII (192). 14 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Auckland Retains the Cup/Hawke's Bay Beaten/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14764). 21 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Auckland Win Again/Victory Over Nelson". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (147680). 28 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Interprovincial Cup/Auckland Beats Taranaki/A Record Attendance". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (147686). 4 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Hawke's Bay Natives v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (216). 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Northern Union Game/Auckland V. The Country". Auckland Star. XLII (246). 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.