1926 Auckland Rugby League season
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.
Preceded by 1925 |
17th Auckland Rugby League season 1926 |
Succeeded by 1927 |
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.[3]
A Division 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.
A Division FixturesIn 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”.[4] Round 1In the match between Ponsonby and Devonport J Laing fractured his ankle while Webb also went off injured during the second half leaving Devonport with just 11 players.
Round 2
Round 3Ponsonby'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.
Round 4
Round 5Lou 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.
Round 6Frank 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.
Round 7Hec Brisbane made return from a broken collarbone for Marist’s match with Richmond.
Round 8
Round 9Johnson was ordered off early in the match for Grafton against Marist.
Round 10Clarrie 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.
Round 11
Round 12L Taylor transferred from the Whitiora club in Hamilton and scored a try and kicked 6 goals on debut for Richmond. Newton only had 10 players for the entirety of their match with Marist but still made a game of it only losing 15-11.
Round 13
Final
Roope Rooster Knockout CompetitionRichmond 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
Semi Finals
Final
Stormont ShieldPonsonby 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 is was named in honour of.
Top Try Scorers and Point Scorers (Senior Grade and Roope Rooster)
B Division Standings and ResultsB Division Standings
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References
- "The Athletic Club". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19281). 20 March 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Senior League Games Off". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19334). 22 May 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Senior League Games Off/Other Decisions Deferred". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19334). 22 May 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Competitions Continued/New Rules Introduced/City Still in the Lead". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19413). 23 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Start of Championships/Ponsonby Beat Devonport/Fast and Exciting Play". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19311). 26 March 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Start of Championships/Fast and Exciting Play". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19311). 26 March 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Start of Championships/Fast and Exciting Play". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19311). 26 March 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Championship Contests/Ponsonby Defeat City/Margin of Ten Points". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19317). 3 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Championship Contests". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19317). 3 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Championship Contests". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19317). 3 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Senior Competitions/Marist Defeat Devonport". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19323). 10 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Senior Competitions". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19323). 10 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Senior Competitions". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19323). 10 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Marist Beaten by City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19329). 13 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Newton Spring a Surprise". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19329). 13 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Newton Spring a Surprise". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19329). 13 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Ponsonby Defeat Richmond". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19341). 31 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "City Too Good For Grafton". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19341). 31 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Marist Have Narrow Win". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19341). 31 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Two Surprise Results/Ponsonby's First Reverse". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19347). 7 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Two Surprise Results/Devonport Defeat City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19347). 7 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Two Surprise Results". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19347). 7 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "First Round Completed/Ponsonby and Marist Lead". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19353). 14 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "First Round Completed/Grafton's Gallant Fight". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19353). 14 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "First Round Completed". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19353). 14 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Opening of Second Round/Ponsonby Beat Devonport/Keenly-Contested Match". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19359). 21 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Opening of Second Round". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19359). 21 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Opening of Second Round". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19359). 21 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Senior Championship/Three Teams Now Level/City Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19383). 19 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Senior Championship/Three Teams Now Level". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19383). 19 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Senior Championship/Three Teams Now Level". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19383). 19 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships/Devonport's Surprise Win/Marist Easily Defeated". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19389). 26 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19389). 26 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19389). 26 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships/City Still in the Lead/Defeat of Marist Team". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19407). 16 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19407). 16 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19407). 16 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Competitions Continued/New Rules Introduced". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19413). 23 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Competitions Continued/New Rules Introduced/City Still in the Lead". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19413). 23 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Competitions Continued/New Rules Introduced". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19413). 23 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championship/Two Teams to Play Off/City and Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19425). 6 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championship/Two Teams to Play Off/City and Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19425). 6 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championship". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19425). 6 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Dramatic Conclusion/Ponsonby Defeats City/Last-Minute Try Wins Game". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19431). 13 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Roope Rooster Games/Opening of Competition/Ponsonby Defeats City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19437). 20 September 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- "Roope Rooster Games/Opening of Competition/Ponsonby Defeats City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19437). 20 September 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- "Roope Rooster Games/Opening of Competition/Ponsonby Defeats City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19437). 20 September 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- "Season's Last Club Game/Stormont Shield to Ponsonby/Richmond Easily Beaten". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19467). 25 October 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Start of Championships/Ponsonby Beat Devonport/Fast and Exciting Play". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19311). 26 March 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Championship Contests/Ponsonby Defeat City/Margin of Ten Points". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19317). 3 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Senior Competitions/Marist Defeat Devonport". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19323). 10 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Newton Spring a Surprise/Marist Beaten by City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19329). 13 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Ponsonby Defeat Richmond/City Too Good For Grafton/Marist Have Narrow Win". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19341). 31 May 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Two Surprise Results/Ponsonby's First Reverse/Devonport Defeat City". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19347). 7 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "First Round Completed/Ponsonby and Marist Lead/Grafton's Gallant Fight". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19353). 14 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Opening of Second Round/Ponsonby Beat Devonport/Keenly-Contested Match". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19359). 21 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Senior Championship/Three Teams Now Level/City Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19383). 19 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships/Devonport's Surprise Win/Marist Easily Defeated". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19389). 26 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championships/City Still in the Lead/Defeat of Marist Team". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19407). 16 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Competitions Continued/New Rules Introduced/City Still in the Lead". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19413). 23 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Club Championship/Two Teams to Play Off/City and Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19425). 6 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "B Section Championship/Northcote's Position Secure/Kingsland V Ellerslie". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19431). 13 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Ellerslie V. Parnell". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19347). 7 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Mangere V Ellerslie/Parnell V Northcote". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19437). 20 September 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- "Roope's Rooster Games/Ponsonby's Surprise Defeat/Devonport Beat Marist". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19443). 27 September 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Stallard Cup Semi-Final/Parnell Defeats Otahuhu". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19455). 11 October 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Kingsland V Parnell". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19461). 16 October 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Victory for Auckland/Match Against Canterbury/Pace and Tactics Tell". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19419). 30 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Junior Results". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19455). 11 October 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Kingsland V Huntly". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19467). 25 October 1925. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Team For English Tour/The Personnel Announced/Fourteen Auckland Men/Avery Appointed Captain". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19377). 12 July 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Auckland Wins Trial Game/South Auckland Outclassed/Speed and Tactics Tell". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19365). 28 June 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Selecting Dominion Team/Two Fine Trial Games/North Island Wins Keen Game/Backs Check South Forwards". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19371). 5 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Auckland v the Rest". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19374). 8 July 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Auckland v the Rest". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19374). 8 July 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Dominion Team Trials/The Final Games Played/Possibles Beat Probables". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19377). 12 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Dominion Team Trials/The Final Games Played/Possibles Beat Probables". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19377). 12 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "New Zealand Outplayed/Auckland's Decisive Win/Superiority of Local Men". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19395). 2 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "The Northern Union Cup/Auckland Retain Trophy/Fourteen Points to Four/Otago Team's good Display". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19401). 9 August 1926. p. 14. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- "Victory for Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19419). 30 August 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- "Northern Union Cup/Auckland's Comfortable Win/Defeat of South Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19455). 11 October 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Northern Union Cup/Auckland's Comfortable Win/Defeat of South Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19473). 1 November 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Junior Grade Affairs/Over One Thousand Players". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19278). 17 March 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Progress of the Code/Most Successful Season/Record Takings at Gate". The New Zealand Herald. LXIII (19280). 19 March 1925. p. 8. Retrieved 16 September 2019.