1938 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1938 Auckland Rugby League season was its 30th. Marist Old Boys won their 3rd first grade title with their previous coming in 1924 and 1931.

Richmond Rovers won the Roope Rooster for the 5th time when they beat City Rovers 20–8 in the final. City had not won a trophy since 1925 but had been boosted mid season by the addition of Bob Banham who the Auckland Rugby League had brought over from Australia as a player coach. Richmond also won the Stormont Shield for the 4th time when they defeated Marist Old Boys 9–8. Eastern Suburbs (NSWRL runner up) toured at the end of the season and Richmond were the only team to beat them when they won 11–9. Eastern Suburbs beat Marist (36-15), Manukau (16-7) and a South Auckland (Waikato) team (17-5).

Manukau, who were coached by former Kiwi Bert Laing won the Phelan Shield for the first time after they beat Papakura18-8 in the final. The Phelan Shield at this time was played for by the teams which had been knocked out of the Roope Rooster. Richmond Rovers won the reserve grade competition (Norton Cup) after they were tied with Mount Albert United after the final round and a final was necessary to decide the champion. Richmond won the match 16–10. They also won the Stallard Cup when they won the reserve grade knockout competition beating Marist 18–7 in the final. The Senior B competition (Sharman Cup) was comfortably won by Otahuhu Rovers who finished 5 competition points ahead of Green Lane. Ellerslie United won the Walmesley Shield which was the senior B knockout competition although this season it was played over 2 full rounds.

Claude Dempsey, the Newton fullback, and former NZ international player was awarded the J.F.W. Dickson's medal for being the most sportsmanlike player in the senior grade. Junior awards went to J. Means and J. McWilliams.

The representative season saw Auckland play three matches. They defeated a Rest of the North Island side easily by 67 points to 14. They then beat the returning New Zealand team which had toured Australia by 21 points to 13. Then in August they defeated Canterbury 28–22 at Carlaw Park. The North Island team which beat the South Island was dominated by Auckland players with only Joe Cootes (Wellington) being from outside Auckland. They thrashed the South Island 55 points to 2. Unsurprisingly 18 of the New Zealand team selected to tour Australia were Auckland players. The Auckland Māori team played just one match which was against an Auckland Pākehā side and ran out 26 to 21 winners.

Auckland Rugby League meeting and news

Preliminary meeting

At a meeting on February 17 the Auckland Rugby League decided to start the senior competition at the early date on April 2 due to the tour of New Zealand to Australia during the season. The date for the annual meeting was set at March 23. At the conclusion of the meeting they inspected the new lighting which has been installed at Carlaw Park in order to accommodate night football.

Annual general meeting

The report which was to be presented at the annual general meeting showed that the balance sheet for the Auckland Rugby League was £3605s at the end of the 1937 season which was an increase of £21 on the previous season. There was an excess of assets over liabilities of £7598 12s 9d. At the annual meeting on March 23 Mr. John A. Lee presided as president. He said "last year the code made great progress... and we are opening the greatest season we have ever had. Co-operation and good spirit shown by players and officials was to a large degree responsible for this success... after years of difficulty last year we reached the strength to warrant a team being sent and tested on the playing fields of Australia... great responsibility rests with the officials to see that a fine team be sent this season". He went on to declare "that league was a democratic code. No class distinction could enter if the game was to progress. He paid tribute to the great work of the ladies’ committees, whose social activities during the year did much to aid the code". Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the control board, said "it was pleasing to note that there had been no incidents at Carlaw Park last year, and not a single senior player had come before the board for irregular conduct on the field. During the summer improvements had been made at Carlaw Park, and the system of flood lighting, which was so successful for sports events, would make night football possible". Tribute was paid to Ivan Culpan who had been secretary for the league for 20 years. During the meeting Archie Ferguson appealed for more senior matches to be played on outside grounds, particularly at the Devonport Domain with Mr. Campbell saying that the matter would be considered. Along with John A. Lee, four other members of parliament were also present, including Messrs, William Theophilus Anderton, Frederick William Schramm, Arthur George Osborne, and Arthur Shapton Richards who all "spoke of the success of the code in Auckland". The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. J.B. Donald; vice-patron, Mr. J.F.W. Dickson; president, Mr. John A. Lee, M.P.; vice presidents, Sir Ernest Davis, Messrs. R.D. Bagnall, R. Benson, J Donald, O. Blackwood, T.S. Bellamy, C. Drysdale, H. Grange, R.J. Laird, W.J. Lovett, E. Morton, E. Montgomery, T.G. Symonds, Joe Sayegh, C. Seagar, Frederick William Schramm M.P., W. Wallace, H. Walmsley, R.H. Wood, G.T. Wright, W.H. Brien, L. Coakley, H. Luke; trustees, Messrs. A. Stormont, Edward John Phelan, G. Grey Campbell; deputy-chairman, Edward John Phelan; club delegates, Messrs, F. McAneny, T. Davis, J.W. Probert, Jim Rukutai; chairman junior control board, Mr. D. Wilkie; auditor, Mr. R.A. Spinley; honorary physicians, Drs. M.G. Pezaro, F.J. Gwynne, K.H. Holdgate, J.N. Waddell, G.W. Lock, H. Burrell, W. Bridgman, S. Morris; board of control, Messrs. G. Grey Campbell (chairman), D. Wilkie, R. Doble, T. Davis, J.W. Probert, Jim Rukutai, J. McAneny, J.E. Knowling, and Ivan Culpan.

Annual ball

The Auckland Rugby League held their annual ball at the Peter Pan Cabaret on September 28. The Eastern Suburbs team which was touring Auckland at the time were honorary guests.

Auckland Rugby League life memberships

Jim Clark

Otahuhu nominated Jim Clark, who had recently been elected as returning president of their club as a life member of Auckland Rugby League. The league agreed and he was elected a life member of the ARL. It was stated that he "had been actively identified with the game for 25 years and had given much service as an official in the Otahuhu district for some years past. It was mentioned that Mr. Clark was an international, having twice played with New Zealand teams in Australia".

Frank Thompson

At the board of control meeting on June 22 Frank Thompson was made a life member. He joined the code in 1913 through the Remuera club. Thompson was an ex-member of the Referees’ Association for 17 years and spent 5 years on the grading, examination and appointment board. He also spent four years as a selector and six years with the junior management. Thompson was also a member of the New Zealand Referees’ Association for 10 years as a representative of the Auckland and the Northland leagues. He was also heavily involved in the acquisition and formation of Carlaw Park.

Rugby league ground allocation

On April 14 the Auckland Park and Reserves Committee met to allocate fields to the various winter codes. The chairman of the committee was Ted Phelan who was also on the Auckland Rugby League board. The fields allocated to rugby league were Cricket Ground (2), Outer Domain (1), Victoria Park (1), Walker Park (2), Western Springs (2), Grey Lynn Park (1), with ‘Stadium’ reserved. It was commented that there was a "spirit of harmony" between the codes.

George Gillett donated trophy

In June, former All Black and NZ rugby league international George Gillett, donated a "handsome silver cup to the Auckland Rugby League for any competition which the league may desire. The trophy was presented through Mr. H. Walmsley". It was decided during the season to award the trophy to the winner of the 4th grade competition which was ultimately City Rovers.

Papakura promoted to the Fox Memorial competition

At the annual meeting on March 23 it was announced that Papakura were being promoted from the Senior B grade which they had won comfortably for 2 consecutive seasons to the Fox Memorial competition. Their backs would include Richard and A. Burgess, E Cossey, G Osborne, Phillips, J McInnes and Martin though it was said that their "strength will probably be in the forwards". While J Fogarty, D Evans, Buckeridge, C Ross, and Slater made a "good impression" in their preliminary match against Marist. It was rumoured that Cliff Satherley may also play for them. He didn't though former New Zealand representative Norm Campbell did play a handful of games to begin the season.

George Nepia joins Manukau

On March 10 it was reported that George Nepia would join the Manukau club. He would arrive in Onehunga later in March and would be accompanied by Tuhoro, who was "last year's outstanding forward for East Coast and Hawke's Bay". The Manukau team would be extremely strong with the selectors saying that their senior side would be selected from George Nepia, Jack Hemi, Rangi Chase, Angus Gault, Jack Brodrick, Walter Brimble, Tom Chase, Pita Ririnui, Jack Broughton, R. Wilson, McKinlay, Peter Mahima, Whye, Tuhoro (2), Kakau, Tane, and Phillips. It was then reported in late March that there were doubts that he would in fact play for Manukau however he ultimately did for a few weeks.

Senior team preseason and prospects

On March 26 several teams held organised practices with the Manukau side playing a South Auckland XIII at Waikaraka Park. Newton, Marist, City, and Ponsonby all practised at Carlaw Park while Richmond were at Grey Lynn Park. It was reported that Ponsonby were to be coached by Bill Davidson who was a past City Rovers player who also represented Auckland 14 times from 1920 to 1923 and New Zealand 16 times from 1919 to 1921.

It was reported that Richmond Rovers had erected a dressing and club rooms at Grey Lynn Park and that the senior team would be a strong one with Mervyn Devine joining the forwards. He was a Wellington Rugby representative. However Ted Mincham was transferring from Richmond to Mount Albert. They would still have the services of "Powell, Bickerton, and Wally Tittleton for their inside backs who know when others play well and Wally Tittleton is particularly clever at taking the gap and improving a movement for the men outside him. The form showed [after the preliminary games] by Mills and Abbie Graham, two of the juniors can earn them permanent places in the senior team, [while] Furnell was the most improved full back in Auckland last season".

The Manukau side was considered to be shaping as "a very formidable team" with the "forwards particularly strong, and perhaps the heaviest ever seen in club football. The average weight will be nearly 14 stone. This should be a great season for Jack Brodrick, whose brilliant form in the Māori match against Australia last year, stamps him as the finest forward seen in the code for many years". They were also adding Pita Ririnui and "he should soon rise to All Black honours" according to the Auckland Star reporter. After their first preliminary game (which he did not play in) it was reported that Jack Hemi "expressed a desire to play for Ponsonby, but the transfer might cause some difficulty". After the match the Auckland Star said that Ririnui "made a good impression on his first appearance and Brodrick, the best forward in Auckland last year, appears to be already in good form". Mahika Panapa, the North Auckland Rugby Maori representative halfback signed on to play for Manukau prior to their first Fox Memorial game. In mid May, J. Craig, a representative rugby player from Nelson arrived in Auckland to join the Manukau club. He had represented the combined Nelson-Golden Bay-Motueka-Marlborough side who played the Springboks in 1937.

Marist were reportedly gaining the services of Robert Grotte who was a former member and who had played as halfback for the St. George club in Sydney. After the first preliminary game they were said to be one of the strongest teams in the competition. "In Haslam they have one of the best pivotal players in Auckland and in Halsey and Midgley very speedy wings... Grotte, the former Sydney player looks like being certain of a place. In Anderson, Butler and Breed they have a fine trio of forwards.

Ponsonby would have a similar team to the previous season with a strong backline and the forwards strengthened by J. Fraser from Taranaki who was said to be a "splendid place-kick". They had virtually the same backline as in the previous season and had gained the services of Clark who was a "young player from Ellerslie [who had] the making of a good fullback.

Mount Albert were a suggested location for Bob Banham as they needed a "link between the rugged Mount Albert forwards and the inside backs, where the weakness lay last season". Ted Mincham joined Mount Albert from Richmond and "with McNeil and McCallum outside him the Mount Albert three-quarter line should be a bit of a problem for their opponents... [while] their forwards appear to be just as strong as last season". They were to be coached by former New Zealand player Stan Prentice. Following the first preliminary round of games at Carlaw Park on April 2 it was said that they "have a good solid pack of forwards and have an exceptional back in R. Burgess who has great dash and pace [and that they] will further strengthen their team for the competition matches. It is probable that they will gain Lilburn, a good five eighths from Hunua. McRobbie, the Pokeno forward, while there is a possibility that Cliff Satherley, the former Richmond and Mount Albert forward will lead the pack. In mid May it was reported that Mount Albert had signed R.F. Ball who was a member of the Eastern Suburbs club in Sydney.

Newton had had a relatively poor 1937 season though they had improved as the season went on. They had retained the services of Wilfred Brimble and Ted Brimble, and Crooks. While "Kendall, a full back from North Auckland showed promise", they also had a "fairly good pack of forwards who stuck to their work well in the preliminary match".

City were said after the first preliminary game to "not appear to be exceptionally strong, and they will miss both Hawea Mataira and Donald, who were their best forwards last year. However, Hutchinson's form at the base of the scrum is excellent, Cyril Wiberg can be relied upon to gather points consistently with accurate goal kicking and the forwards may shake down into a solid combination".

North Shore were said to have a young team. With "much interest taken in the appearance of Verdun Scott, whose cricket deeds are so well known. Scott played full back last season and is also a promising centre three-quarter". Jack Smith who made a good impression at five eighths, is again available. Zane and Rhodes, of last years team, will also be playing. The forwards will include Simpson, Souter, Hunt and players from lower grades.

Sprigs

It was decided to appoint a special committee to inspect players boots on Saturday's after St John Ambulance staff complained about injuries received by two players as the result of dangerous sprigs following the April 2 matches. The committee to inspect the boots each Saturday would be made up of Messrs. Mincham, Probert, and McAneny.

Injury substitutions

At the June 8 meeting of the control board the Referees’ Association said that they would "appreciate a ruling in regard to replacements". There was a suspicion that "a certain club had a player who came late, but another player conveniently "became injured" to allow the late player to enter play". While at a different game a player left the field stating he had influenza, while other cases where players had gone "off without advising the referee". Mr Campbell agreed that if a player was not seriously injured then they or the team captain should report to the referee before a replacement can be made. And that "a referee would be entitled to hold a game up to get a report from an ambulance man or doctor if there was ground for believing that injury was being shammed". It was then decided that a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs. D. Wilkie and W. Mincham would submit a recommendation.

Junior football changes

At a meeting of the junior management board on February 8 several suggestions were discussed in regards to changes that could be made for the 1938 season. The main changes suggested were a proposal to reduce the age limit for the 6th grade to 18 years, introducing an age limit of 19.5 years for the 5th grade, and starting an open grade for the "first juniors, with a weight limit of 11st 7lb [73 kg], to obviate the need for two sections in the third grade". At their annual meeting on March 8 the proposals were debated and it was eventually decided to adopt them. Additional ones included that the age limit for the 6th grade be 18 and for the 7th grade be 16. The season would start for juniors on April 30.

Richmond club rooms opened at Grey Lynn Park

The modern day Richmond Rovers RL club rooms in the same location as the original 1938 club rooms.

In early May the Richmond club applied to celebrate the opening of their clubrooms at Grey Lynn Park on June 4 by holding a match with South Auckland on its bye date. On June 4 they were officially opened by Mr. J.A. Lee prior to a game against a combined team from Huntly. Lee said "this is going to be a permanent home, and it is an object worthy of the highest praise". While Joe Sayegh said that the Richmond club had "done yeoman service in the interests of the players. He was pleased to say that the City Council was only too pleased to encourage similar buildings on other public properties". Mr. Swift expressed the club's thanks to Mr. Ralph Jenkinson who supervised the building construction.

	4 June	Richmond	11-23	Huntly	Grey Lynn Park
	3:00	Try: Metcalfe Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell 3		Try: Turner 2, Beadle, Moyes, Gunn Con: Moyes, Shaw 2 Pen: Shaw

Lawson Park developed

Lawson Park in July 2021. The upper and lower fields with the 'grandstand' bank. In the background is the New Lynn RL club rooms.

It was announced in mid March that Lawson Park would be developed. It would involve "earthworks of which will take from four to five months to complete. After this stage both areas have to be grassed and other finishing touches added". It had been started four years earlier "as a means of creating work in the district for the local unemployed, but was halted when sustenance was introduced. Some months ago work was recommenced, giving work for 20 men. When it is finished, it will provide two basketball [better known as netball at this time] and two tennis courts on a higher level, and on the lower part a rugby or rugby league football ground". It was said that "to provide for the football ground, a good deal of excavation will be necessary, so that ultimately a fine, natural grandstand will be secured". Twenty nine years later, in 1967 the New Lynn Rugby League club was established and Lawson Park became its home ground with their club rooms being built there.

Auckland representative team

In March the Auckland Rugby League board of control offered the Auckland representative coaching position to Bob Banham, the New South Wales representative five-eighths. A cable was received back from him accepting the position and he was expected to arrive in time for the matches on April 8. The board intended to place Banham in a local team "for playing purposes". It was reported that he had been unlucky to miss out on selection in the 1937 Australian team which toured England and he had also turned down an offer to coach Queensland. In early march it was decided to place Banham in the North Shore Albions side for six weeks and then review the placement. After six matches for North shore it was decided to leave him there for 3 more weeks before moving to and coaching the City team. Bert Avery, Hec Brisbane, and A Renwick were appointed selectors for Auckland for the season while Brisbane was nominated by Auckland to be one of the three selectors for the North Island side.

Obituary

George Seagar (snr)

In August George Seagar died aged 73. He had two sons who both represented New Zealand, George Seagar and Allan Seagar. George senior was a strong supported of rugby league and was an original vice-president of the Auckland Rugby League. He was later made a life member in recognition of his services to the game. He was survived by a wife, seven sons and three daughters, with 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Eastern Suburbs Tour

In September/October the NSWRFL runner up Eastern Suburbs side toured Auckland. They played four matches against Marist Old Boys, Manukau, Richmond Rovers, and South Auckland. Their only loss was in the match against Richmond who had accumulated a remarkable record against touring Australian club teams.

Marist v Eastern Suburbs

Joseph (Joe) Charles Woods for Marist broke his leg in the second half. He was aged 28 and was taken to Auckland Hospital. Marist was captained by Reginald Haslam. Among the 6 try scorers for Eastern Suburbs, 5 were Australian internationals.

	24 September	Marist	15-36	Eastern Suburbs	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Clive Murdoch, John Anderson, Jimmy Matthews Con: John Anderson Pen: John Anderson 2		Try: Fred Robinson, Henry Pierce 2, Jack Arnold, Dick Dunn, Frank Hyde 2, Joe Pearce Con: Jim Norton 6	Attendance: 9000 Referee: Frank Thompson

Manukau v Eastern Suburbs

Jack Hemi was unavailable for Manukau due to illness while they lost Jack Brodrick to a shoulder injury during the first half who was replaced by Ratu.

	28 September	Manukau	7-16	Eastern Suburbs	Carlaw Park 1
	3:15	Try: Pita Ririnui Con: Tom Chase Pen: Tom Chase		Try: Dick Dunn 2, Fred Robinson, Henry Pierce Con: Jim Norton 2	Referee: Stuart Billman

Richmond v Eastern Suburbs

	1 October	Richmond	11-9	Eastern Suburbs	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack Satherley, Alan Watkins, Laurie Mills Con: Trevor Bramley		Try: Fred Robinson, Rod O’Loan, Frank Hyde	Attendance: 11000 Referee: Maurice Wetherill

South Auckland v Eastern Suburbs

	2 October	South Auckland	5-17	Eastern Suburbs	Davies Park, Huntly
	3:00	Try: Unknown		Try: Unknown	Referee: F Knapper

Senior first grade competitions

Preliminary round

Mervyn William Devine, the former Wellington rugby representative made his debut for the Richmond team.

	2 April	Mount Albert	24-15	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Clarry McNeil 2, McCallum, Ted Mincham, W Walker, Martin Hansen Con: Ted Mincham 2 Pen: Ted Mincham		Try: George Tittleton, Laurie Mills, Abbie Graham Pen: Frank Furnell 3	Referee: A Kinnaird

	2 April	Manukau	19-11	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Ryan, Kirkwood, Jack Brodrick Con: Tom Chase Pen: Tom Chase 3 Drop: Tom Chase		Try: Young, Roy Nurse, Arthur Kay Pen: Black	Referee: O Chalmers

	2 April	Marist	16-15	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Anderson 2, Gordon Midgley, Reg Haslam Con: John Anderson 2		Try: C Ross, A Burgess, D Evans Con: J McInnes 2 Pen: T Kelly	Referee: Ernest Korn

	2 April	City	20-16	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: William McLaughlin, Walsh, Jackie Rata, Joseph Hapi Con: J Hutchinson 3 Pen: J Hutchinson		Try: Hill, Jones, Wilfred Brimble, McKenzie Con: Wilfred Brimble 2	Referee: D Taylor

Fox Memorial standings

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Marist Old Boys	16	12	0	4	254	121	24
Mount Albert United	16	11	0	5	277	205	22
Newton Rangers	16	10	0	6	213	159	20
Manukau	15	9	1	5	226	211	19
Richmond Rovers	15	8	1	6	205	180	17
Ponsonby United	16	8	0	8	176	187	16
North Shore Albions	15	6	0	9	202	221	12
City Rovers	16	3	0	13	184	337	6
Papakura	15	2	0	13	153	279	4

Fox Memorial results

Marist won the competition when they defeated Newton in the final round. Had they lost there would have been a three-way tie for first with themselves, Mount Albert, and Newton all on 22 points from 11 wins each but their 10–7 win saw them outright winners with 12 wins and 4 losses. A key to their win was their defence which saw them only concede 121 points from 16 games, an average of less than 8 points per game. From round 7 until round 18 their points conceded was 8, 7, 2, 4, 3, 8, 0, 0, 4, 11, and 7.

Round 1

Papakura played in their first ever Fox Memorial game in round 1. They lost a close match 17–14 against Richmond. In the match between Newton and Manukau the referee (J. Cottingham) was knocked out after a ball which had been kicked struck him in the face from point blank range. Percy Rogers who was waiting to referee the following match took over and refereed the last 10 minutes. Former New Zealand player, Norm Campbell debuted for Papakura, though he would only play a handful of matches before retiring from the sport. Rangi Chase was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury.

	9 April	Mount Albert	18-16	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Des Herring 2, Martin Hanson, Len Schultz Con: Ted Mincham 2 Pen: Ted Mincham		Try: Brian Riley, Edgar Morgan, Cootes Con: Pat Young Drop: D Black	Referee: Stuart Billman

	9 April	Marist	23-7	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Reginald Haslam 2, F McLaren 2, Phil Donovan Con: John Anderson Pen: John Anderson 2 Drop: Reginald Haslam		Try: Ivor Stirling Pen: Jack Smith 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	9 April	Richmond	17-14	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Wally Tittleton, Jack Satherley, Laurie Mills Con: Frank Furnell 3 Pen: Frank Furnell		Try: D Evans, A Burgess Con: Thomas Kelly Pen: Thomas Kelly 2, J McInnes	Referee: Percy Rogers

	9 April	Newton	19-8	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Wilfred Brimble, A Duncan, A Nathan Con: Wilfred Brimble Pen: Wilfred Brimble 3		Try: Zane, Tom Chase Con: Tom Chase	Referee: J Cottingham

Round 2

	16 April	Richmond	18-13	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack McLeod 2, Merv Devine, Wally Tittleton Con: Frank Furnell 2, George Tittleton		Try: Pat Young, Ernest McNeil, Edgar Morgan Con: D Black Pen: Walter Stockley	Referee: Frank Thompson

	16 April	Mount Albert	25-18	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Clarry McNeil 2, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Basil Cranch Con: Basil Cranch, Ted Mincham 3 Pen: Ted Mincham		Try: Bill McNeight, Ted Brimble, Wilfred Brimble, Donald Fraser Con: Wilfred Brimble 2 Pen: Hill	Referee: Percy Rogers

	16 April	Manukau	26-21	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Tom Chase 2, Jack Brodrick 2, Walter Brimble, Jack Hemi Con: Jack Hemi 4		Try: Len Scott, Bob Banham, A Sowter Con: Jack Smith 3 Pen: Jack Smith 2, Dick Smith	Referee: Stuart Billman

	16 April	City	23-18	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: G McCarthy 3, J Hutchinson, Ryan Con: J Hutchinson 3, Cyril Wiberg		Try: John Fogarty 2, Craig Smith, Richard Burgess Con: Thomas Kelly, J McInnes Pen: J McInnes	Referee: T McIntosh

Round 3

Three players were sent off in the Manukau-Marist match as a result of an "on field incident". Jack Whye of Manukau was suspended for a week, Bill Breed of Marist was "severely reprimanded", while Bill Glover also of Marist was unable to attend the disciplinary hearing and was ordered to stand down until able to attend. In the match between City and Ponsonby, D Black of Ponsonby broke his knee cap and was ruled out for the season. They also lost Pat Young, and Frank Halloran to injuries during the match. They had previously lost former Kiwi Arthur Kay to a leg injury in an earlier match.

	23 April	Manukau	18-4	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: R Wilson 2, Jack Brodrick, Peter Mahima Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi		Pen: John Anderson 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	23 April	North Shore	15-11	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Ted Scott, Horace Hunt, Len Scott Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith 2		Try: Des Herring, Len Schultz, Basil Cranch Pen: Des Herring	Referee: Percy Rogers

	23 April	Newton	8-7	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Ginders, R Taylor Pen: Wilfred Brimble		Try: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: Stuart Billman

	23 April	City	24-16	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: H McCarthy 2, G McCarthy, Cyril Wyberg Con: Jackie Rata 3 Pen: Jackie Rata 3		Try: Ernest McNeil 2, Brian Riley, Petersen Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: O Chalmers

Round 4

Arthur McInnarney

Richmond defeated North Shore after a late try awarded after an obstruction. However the referee allowed the ball carrier to run behind the posts with the conversion taken from in front. The rules stated that the kick should have been taken from inline with where the obstruction occurred. The league ordered the match to be replayed if required later in the season. As it turned out the match did not need to be replayed as it would have no bearing on the championship. Bob Banham had to retire during the match after receiving a cut above the eye after colliding with an opponent which required three stitches. Arthur McInnarney scored his first senior points for Mt Albert after transferring from the Ellerslie third grade team where he had been coached by Charles Gregory. He would be selected for New Zealand in 1939.

	30 April	Richmond	20-19*	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Noel Bickerton, Harold Tetley, Laurie Mills, George Tittleton Con: Frank Furnell 4		Try: George Zane-Zaninovich, Ted Scott, McIntosh Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith 4	Referee: Stuart Billman

	30 April	Mount Albert	18-13	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Len Schultz, Ted Mincham, Jack Tristram, Arthur McInnarney Con: Ted Mincham 2, Bert Leatherbarrow		Try: F McLaren Con: John Anderson Pen: John Anderson 4	Referee: O Chalmers

	30 April	Newton	28-11	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Donald Fraser, W.B. McKenzie 2, John Ginders, Bill McNeight, A Duncan Con: A Duncan, Wilfred Brimble 3 Pen: Hill		Try: Herbert Thompson Con: J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Roy Otto

	30 April	Ponsonby	19-13	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Clarrie Petersen, Jack Campbell 2, Ernest McNeil 2 Con: D Schroeder, Roy Nurse		Try: G Osborne Pen: J McInnes 5	Referee: G Kelly

Round 5

	7 May	Manukau	17-9	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Walter Brimble, R Wilson, Jack Brodrick Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi 2		Try: Des Herring Pen: Ted Mincham 3	Referee: Percy Rogers

	7 May	Richmond	13-8	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Lyndsay Jack, Alf Broadhead, Merv Devine Con: Frank Furnell 2		Try: Gordon Midgley 2 Con: John Anderson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	7 May	Newton	34-17	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Ted Brimble 2, John Ginders 2, R Taylor, Bill McNeight, W McKenzie, Claude Dempsey Con: Wilfred Brimble 4, A Duncan		Try: John Fogarty, C Ross, J McInnes Pen: J McInnes 4	Referee: Frank Thompson

	7 May	North Shore	24-16	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Bennetts 2, Dick Smith 2, Verdun Scott, Ted Scott Con: Jack Smith 2 Pen: Jack Smith		Try: Joseph Hapi, Leslie Wehner Con: Jackie Rata Pen: Jackie Rata 4	Referee: A Kinnaird

Round 6

A highlight of the round was the debut appearance of George Nepia for Manukau in their win over Richmond. It was said that he had a "sound game" but did not look match fit. Pita Ririnui was sent off for Manukau and Alf Broadhead for Richmond near the end of the game for fighting. They were both severely cautioned by the control board with Broadhead warned that a similar offence would be dealt with more severely. Also during the match Jack Brodrick went off to have a dislocated finger attended to. When he came back on he found that he had been replaced and so referee Maurice Wetherill made him leave the field once more. A notable feature in the North Shore – Papakura game was that a total of 10 penalty goals were kicked. The goal kicking in the senior grade was arguably the strongest it has ever been with John Anderson, Jack Hemi, Jack Smith, and J McInnes kicking a large number of goals most weeks.

	14 May	Manukau	18-16	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Pita Ririnui, Rangi Chase 2, Freddie McGuire Con: Jack Hemi 2 Pen: Jack Hemi		Try: Merv Devine, Wally Tittleton, Alf Broadhead, Roy Powell Con: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	14 May	Ponsonby	10-9	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Arthur Kay, Brian Riley Pen: Blackman 2		Try: Bill McNeight Pen: A Duncan 2, Wilfred Brimble	Referee: Frank Thompson

	14 May	Marist	45-11	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Anderson 2, Joe Woods 2, Gordon Midgley 3, Robert Grotte 2, Ray Halsey, Griffin Con: John Anderson 6		Try: Ryan Con: J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Percy Rogers

	14 May	North Shore	20-15	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Ted Scott, Bob Banham Con: Jack Smith 2 Pen: Jack Smith 5		Try: G Osborne Con: J McInnes Pen: J McInnes 5	Referee: T Evans

Round 7

New Zealand representatives, Jack and Dick Smith were both absent for North Shore after their father passed away during the week. Bob Banham had been moved by the Auckland Rugby League from the North Shore club to City Rovers where he played for the remainder of the season.

	28 May	Richmond	29-7	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park
	3:00	Try: George Tittleton 2, Noel Bickerton, Harold Tetley, Laurie Mills, Jack Satherley, Alf Broadhead Con: George Tittleton 2, Frank Furnell Pen: Trevor Bramley		Try: Joseph Gunning Con: Ted Mincham Pen: Des Herring	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	28 May	Manukau	23-19	City	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Wilson 2, Peter Mahima, Jack Broughton, Angus Gault Con: Jack Hemi 4		Try: Ryan 2, Arnold Porteous 2, Leslie Wehner Con: J Hutchinson 2	Referee: G Kelly

	28 May	Marist	11-8	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Bill Breed, Clive Murdoch, Robert Grotte Con: Clive Murdoch		Try: D Buchanan, John Fogarty Con: J McInnes	Referee: A Kinnaird

	28 May	North Shore	7-16	Ponsonby	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: Bennetts Pen: Verdun Scott 2		Try: Brian Riley 2, Jack Campbell, Edgar Morgan Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: Roy Otto

Round 8

Papakura recorded their first ever win in the Fox Memorial competition with an 18–15 win over Manukau on Carlaw Park 2. Manukau were missing several of their best players who were on the New Zealand tour of Australia but still fielded a strong side. During the match Richard Burgess of Papakura fractured his left arm. Reginald Haslam was ordered off for Marist in their 13–7 win over Ponsonby. Ernie Pinches scored a try for Mt Albert in his first season for them. He had been born in England in 1914 before moving to New Zealand. He became well known for wrestling, holding the New Zealand light heavyweight title for 6 years in the 1950s. In the same decade he was elected to the Mt Roskill Borough Council. He was deputy mayor there from 1974 to 1987 and acting mayor from 1987 to 1988.

	4 June	Marist	13-7	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ray Halsey, James Chalmers, James Matthews Pen: Clive Murdoch, Donovan		Try: Clarrie Petersen Con: Frank Halloran Pen: Frank Halloran	Referee: A McIntosh

	4 June	Newton	11-10	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: R Taylor 2, W.B. McKenzie Con: A Duncan		Try: Bennetts 2 Pen: Verdun Scott 2	Referee: K McIvor

	4 June	Mount Albert	29-10	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Arthur McInnarney 3, Ernie Pinches, Ted Mincham, Richard Shadbolt, Joseph Gunning Con: A MacLachlan 2		Try: Arnold Porteous, Leslie Wehner Con: J Hutchinson Pen: J Hutchinson	Referee: A Lennie

	4 June	Papakura	18-15	Manukau	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: J McInnes, G Osborne, G Crocker, John Fogarty Con: J McInnes 3		Try: R Wilson 2, Mihaka Panapa Con: Tom Chase 2 Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: Jack Hawkes

Round 9

In the match between Papakura and Mount Albert, the Papakura player Dobbyn had his nose broken. He was able to return to play a week later however.

	11 June	Marist	6-2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jimmy Matthews, Donovan		Pen: Fredrick Sissons	Referee: Percy Rogers

	11 June	Ponsonby	13-5	Manukau	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Roy Nurse, Jack Campbell, Pat Young Pen: D Schroeder 2		Try: Pile Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: Frank Thompson

	11 June	Mount Albert	27-0	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Richard Shadbolt, Charles Dunne, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Arthur McInnarney, Black, Martin Hanson Con: Bert Leatherbarrow, Arthur McInnarney 2			Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	11 June	Richmond	19-3	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Roy Powell 2, Alf Broadhead 2, Hermes Hadley Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell		Try: Stanaway	Referee: H Tate

Round 10

The Papakura – Richmond match was played at Prince Edward Park in Papakura. The scores were level 10–10 in the second half when both A Burgess and G Crocker left the field injured leaving Papakura with just 11 players. Richmond went on to win 16–10.

	18 June	Mount Albert	10-8	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Francis List, Martin Hanson Con: A MacLachlan Pen: A MacLachlan		Try: Brown, Jack Campbell Pen: D Schroeder	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	18 June	Manukau	5-2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Kirkwood Con: Jack Broughton		Pen: Hill	Referee: Percy Rogers

	18 June	Marist	26-4	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Ray Halsey, Clive Murdoch, Jimmy Matthews, Joe Woods, Vincent Bakalich, William Grotte Con: Jimmy Matthews 3 Pen: Jimmy Matthews 2		Pen: Verdun Scott 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	18 June	Papakura	10-16	Richmond	Prince Edward Park, Papakura
	3:00	Try: P Herkt, A Burgess Con: J McInnes Pen: J McInnes		Try: Lyndsay Jack, Merv Devine, George Tittleton 2 Con: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: G Kelly

Round 11

	25 June	Ponsonby	19-13	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Brian Riley, Jack Campbell 2, Pat Young, Clarrie Petersen Con: D Schroeder Pen: W Dormer		Try: Laurie Mills, Hermes Hadley, Alf Broadhead Con: Frank Furnell Pen: Frank Furnell	Referee: Frank Thompson

	25 June	Mount Albert	18-13	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Martin Hanson 2, Jack Tristram, Bert Leatherbarrow Con: A MacLachlan 2 Pen: A MacLachlan		Try: R Taylor Pen: Fredrick Sissons 5	Referee: Jack Hawkes

	25 June	North Shore	37-7	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hammill 3, Verdun Scott 2, Jones 2, George Zane, Arthur Sowter Con: Dick Smith 5		Try: Jack Broughton Con: Tom Chase Pen: Tom Chase	Referee: A Pearson

	25 June	Papakura	9-8	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: E Cossey Con: E Cossey Pen: E Cossey, Wilson		Try: Leslie Wehner, Stanaway Con: Jackie Rata	Referee: A Simpson

Round 12

Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage was a guest of the Auckland Rugby League and came to Carlaw Park to watch some of the play. He was accompanied by president John .A. Lee and along with his party was "entertained at an afternoon tea organised by the ladies’ social committee". L Cootes of Ponsonby was ordered off for striking a City opponent. In the same match Turi Albert Macpherson broke his leg when he collided with a Ponsonby forward.

	2 July	Mount Albert	9-3	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Martin Hanson		Try: George Zane-Zaninovich	Referee: Percy Rogers

	2 July	Newton	16-2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Ted Brimble, R Taylor, W McKenzie, Clem Procter Con: Fredrick Sissons 2		Pen: Frank Furnell	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	2 July	City	5-3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Bob Banham Con: Jackie Rata		Try: Brian Riley	Referee: Stuart Billman

	2 July	Marist	24-3	Manukau	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Jimmy Matthews 3, William Grotte 2, Bill Breed, Donovan, Clive Murdoch		Try: Richard Shalfoon	Referee: O Chalmers

Round 13

During the Mount Albert – Marist game Arthur McInnarney and MacLachlan collided while trying to field a kick which allowed Marist to score a try giving them the lead. McInnarney had to leave the field with an injured leg as a result of the collision. In the Richmond game with North Shore six players had to leave the field with injuries. North Shore had to play two short in the second half. Dick Smith and Verdun Scott were amongst those who had to go off, along with Powell. During the week Richmond lost the services of Frank Furnell who transferred to Wellington. He was replaced at fullback by Trevor Bramley.

	9 July	Marist	14-8	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ray Halsey, Joe Woods 2, Kenneth Finlayson Con: James Chalmers		Try: Martin Hanson 2 Pen: A MacLachlan	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	9 July	Newton	13-9	City	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: R Taylor 2, Ted Brimble Pen: Fredrick Sissons 2		Try: Joseph Hapi Pen: Jackie Rata 3	Referee: Jack Hawkes

	9 July	Richmond	18-5	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Alf Broadhead 2, Lyndsay Jack, Alan Watkins Con: Trevor Bramley 2 Pen: Trevor Bramley		Try: Jones Con: Verdun Scott	Referee: Percy Rogers

	9 July	Ponsonby	11-6	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Brian Riley, Edgar Morgan, Pat Young Con: W Dormer		Pen: J McInnes 3	Referee: A Kinnaird

Round 14

	23 July	Mount Albert	11-3	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack Tristram, Charles Dunn, Richard Shadbolt Drop: H MacLachlan		Try: Merv Devine	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	23 July	Ponsonby	7-5	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Pat Young Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder		Try: Bennetts Con: Jack Smith	Referee: O Chalmers

	23 July	Marist	8-0	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: John Anderson 2 Con: John Anderson			Referee: G Kelly

	23 July	Manukau	18-4	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Jack Brodrick, T Whye, Freddie McGuire, Mahika Panapa Con: Jack Hemi 3		Pen: Jackie Rata 2	Referee: Roy Otto

Round 15

Laurie Mills (aged 20) was concussed in the Richmond – Manukau game and was taken to hospital. He would later be killed in action during World War 2. In the Marist game with City Bob Banham went off injured in the first half for City, while Jackie Rata and Jackson went off in the second half. Remarkably in the North Shore v Papakura match the referee was Ted Mincham who had spent the first half of the season playing for Mount Albert seniors. He would surely have been one of the only players ever to play and referee in the same competition during a season. He would however play senior football again for Richmond during the war years.

	30 July	Manukau	6-6	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Pen: Jack Hemi 3		Try: Laurie Mills, George Tittleton	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	30 July	Newton	7-3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Fredrick Sissons Con: Fredrick Sissons Pen: Fredrick Sissons		Try: Dormer	Referee: Roy Otto

	30 July	Marist	9-0	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Clive Murdoch, John Anderson, Jimmy Matthews			Referee: A Kinnaird

	30 July	North Shore	13-5	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Len Scott, Hamill, McIntosh Con: Verdun Scott 2		Try: Lindsay D Evans	Referee: Ted Mincham

Round 16

Gordon Midgley who had returned from New Zealand's tour of Australia weeks earlier scored four tries for Marist on the wing in their 32-4 win over Richmond. The win gave them a four point lead over Mount Albert for the championship. Richard Shadbolt was sent off for Mount Albert during the first half of their match with Manukau. They also lost Charles Dunne and A MacLachlan through injuries meaning that for nearly 30 minutes they had to play with just 10 men.

	6 August	Marist	32-4	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Gordon Midgley 4, Joe Woods, John Anderson, James Chalmers, Robert Grotte Con: John Anderson 4		Pen: Trevor Bramley 2	Referee: Percy Rogers

	6 August	Manukau	31-5	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Rangi Chase 3, Walter Brimble 2, T Whye, Angus Gault Con: Jack Hemi 3 Pen: Jack Hemi Drop: Jack Hemi		Try: Richard Shadbolt Pen: Martin Hanson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	6 August	North Shore	21-18	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Ross Jones 2, Hugh Simpson, Horace Hunt, Hammill Con: Verdun Scott 3		Try: Bob Banham, Stanaway, Joseph Hapi, John Magee Con: Stanaway, J Hutchinson Pen: Stanaway	Referee: Frank Thompson

	6 August	Newton	13-8	Papakura	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Jones, Steve Watene, R McKenzie Con: Fredrick Sissons 2		Try: Lindsay D Evans 2 Con: J McInnes	Referee: G Kelly

Round 17

The Auckland match against Canterbury was played on the same day at Carlaw Park with the club matches providing the curtain-raisers. Richmond and Manukau did not play on the day and the Auckland team was made exclusively from their teams. In the match between Mount Albert and City, Jack Tristram and Bob Banham were ordered off from each team respectively after an incident between them.

	13 August	Ponsonby	11-8	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Arthur Kay Con: D Schroeder Pen: D Schroeder 3		Try: Kenneth Finlayson 2 Pen: John Anderson	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	13 August	Mount Albert	28-13	City	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Wilson 2, Clarry McNeil 2, Jack Tristram, Bert Leatherbarrow Con: Des Herring 3 Pen: Des Herring		Try: Bob Banham, John Magee, J Hutchinson Pen: Jackie Rata Drop: Jackie Rata	Referee: Percy Rogers

	13 August	Newton	13-10	North Shore	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Clem Proctor, D McKenzie, Lawson Con: Wilfred Brimble, Claude Dempsey		Try: Hammill, Bennetts Con: Jack Smith Pen: Jack Smith	Referee: Stuart Billman

Round 18

By virtue of their win over Newton, Marist claimed the Fox memorial title for 1938. Roy Hardgrave made an appearance for Mount Albert after recently returning to Auckland from his time playing professionally in England and France.

	20 August	Manukau	26-14	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Rangi Chase 2, Angus Gault 2, T Whye 2, Pile, Jack Brodrick Con: Jack Broughton		Try: Brian Riley 2, Clarrie Peterson, Carr Con: D Schroeder	Referee: A Simpson

	20 August	Marist	10-7	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Vincent Bakalich, John Anderson Con: John Anderson 2		Try: W McKenzie Con: Fredrick Sissons Pen: Fredrick Sissons	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	20 August	Richmond	24-10	City	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Keith Fletcher 3, Leo Davis 2, Wally Tittleton Con: Trevor Bramley 2, L Williams		Try: Bob Banham 2 Pen: J Hutchinson	Referee: Frank Thompson

	20 August	Mount Albert	44-12	Papakura	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Des Herring 2, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, Clarry McNeil 2, Joseph Gunning 2, Roy Hardgrave, Martin Hanson Con: Des Herring 5, W Walker Pen: Des Herring		Try: F Anderson, Lindsay D Evans Con: G Crocker, Reid Pen: Cooke	Referee: Roy Otto

Roope Rooster (knockout competition)

Round 1

	27 August	Marist	8-6	Huntly	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Clive Murdoch 2 Con: John Anderson		Pen: Shaw 3	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	27 August	City	8-2	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Whittle, John Magee Pen: Bob Banham		Pen: Des Herring	Referee: Ted Mincham

	27 August	Papakura	3-5	North Shore	Prince Edward Park
	3:00	Try: John Fogarty		Try: Horace Hunt Pen: Jack Smith	Referee: C Knott

Round 2

In the match between North Shore and Marist, Hugh Simpson (North Shore), Ken Finlayson (Marist), and Joe Woods (Marist) were all sent from the field.

	3 September	North Shore	8-2	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jones, Arthur Sowter Con: Jack Smith		Pen: John Anderson	Referee: Roy Otto

	3 September	Richmond	19-6	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Leo Davis 2, Laurie Mills, Merv Devine, Maurice Potter Con: Merv Devine, Trevor Bramley		Try: Pat Young 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

	3 September	City	10-3	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Thompson, A Legge Con: Bob Banham, J Hutchinson		Try: John Ginders	Referee: Stuart Billman

	3 September	Papakura	6-28	Manukau	Prince Edward Park
	3:00	Try: Burgess, G Crocker		Try: Tom Chase 2, Jack Broughton, Jack Hemi, Wilson, Freddie McGuire Con: Jack Hemi 5	Referee: T Evans

Semi finals

	10 September	Richmond	20-7	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Merv Devine, Lyndsay Jack, Alf Broadhead, Jack McLeod 2, Wally Tittleton Con: Alan Watkins		Try: G Brown Pen: Jack Smith 2	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

	10 September	City	16-8	Manukau	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Arnold Porteous, Stanaway 3 Con: J Hutchinson 2		Try: Pile, Zane Drop: Jack Hemi	Referee: R Otto

Final

	17 September	Richmond	20-8	City	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Laurie Mills, Alf Broadhead, Noel Bickerton, Jack Satherley Con: Trevor Bramley 4		Try: Stanaway, J Hutchinson Pen: J Hutchinson	Referee: Roy Otto

Phelan Shield

Round 1

In the Mount Albert match with Marist, Joseph Gunning and Richard Shadbolt were both sent off for Mount Albert and William Grotte was sent off for Marist. Jack Donovan refereed the Mt Albert v Marist game, with his brother Phil scoring a try for Marist in their 6-5 loss.

	10 September	Ponsonby	20-15	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Petersen, Arthur Kay, Conway, Rush Con: Arthur Kay 2 Pen: Arthur Kay, D Schroeder		Try: W McKenzie, John Ginders, Donald McKenzie Con: Hill Pen: Hill Drop: Kendall	Referee: (V.) G Kelly

	10 September	Mount Albert	6-5	Marist	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Martin Hanson, Des Herring		Try: Phil Donovan Pen: John Anderson	Referee: Jack Donovan

Round 2

In addition to the 2 Phelan Shield matches Marist played Ponsonby in a practice game on the No. 2 field as preparation for their match against the touring Eastern Suburbs side, while Ponsonby was still in the Phelan Shield and preparing for their semi-final match. Marist won 20 points to 14. Robert Marshall, the wicket keeper for the Auckland representative cricket side, scored a try in Mt Albert's loss to Manukau.

	17 September	Papakura	16-12	North Shore	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Reeves 2, John Fogarty, J McInnes Con: J McInnes Pen: J McInnes		Try: Brown 2 Con: Jack Smith 2 Pen: Jack Smith	Referee: T Evans

	17 September	Manukau	26-17	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Jack Broughton 2, Jack Brodrick, Pile, Freddie McGuire, Pita Ririnui Con: Jack Hemi 3, Jack Broughton		Try: Bert Leatherbarrow, Robert Marshall, Joseph Gunning Con: Des Herring 3 Pen: Des Herring	Referee: G Kelly

Semi final

	24 September	Manukau	26-8	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Jack Brodrick 2, Jack Broughton 2, Pita Ririnui, Zane Con: Tom Chase 3 Pen: Tom Chase		Try: Petersen, Roy Nurse Pen: Arthur Kay	Referee: G Kelly

Final

	1 October	Manukau	18-8	Papakura	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Mahika Panapa 2, R Wilson, Zane Con: Tom Chase 2 Pen: Tom Chase		Try: I Wilson, John Fogarty Pen: J McInnes	Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Ted Mincham

Stormont Shield (champion of champions)

During the match 21 year old Maurice Potter of the Richmond side was concussed and taken to hospital though his condition was reported to not be serious. He was replaced by Frank Furnell who had returned from Wellington.

	8 October	Richmond	9-8	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Merv Devine, Wally Tittleton, Leo Davis		Try: Gordon Midgley, John Anderson Con: John Anderson	Referee: Percy Rogers

Top try scorers and point scorers

The point scoring lists are compiled from matches played in the Fox Memorial, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield and Stormont Shield matches which all first grade sides were eligible for competing in (provided they avoided elimination from the knock out competitions). The top point scorer for the third consecutive season was John Anderson with 82. Jack Hemi (Manukau) only 2 points behind, with and J McInnnes (Papakura) 2 further back with 78, while Jack Smith had 60, all from the boot. Anderson, Hemi, and Smith all went on the New Zealand tour of Australia mid-season which meant they missed 6 Fox Memorial games so their point totals were significantly below than what they would have been.

R	Player	Team	Tries
1	Bert Leatherbarrow	Mt Albert	11
2	Alf Broadhead	Richmond	10
2	Martin Hansen	Mt Albert	10
2	Gordon Midgley	Marist	10
2	Brian Riley	Marist	10
6	Jack Brodrick	Manukau	9
6	R Wilson	Manukau	9
8	John Anderson	Marist	8
8	Merv Devine	Richmond	8
8	W B McKenzie	Newton	8
8	R Taylor	Newton	8

R	Player	Team	Tries	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts
1	John Anderson	Marist	8	18	11	0	82
2	Jack Hemi	Manukau	2	28	8	2	80
3	J McInnes	Papakura	4	11	22	0	78
4	Jack Smith	North Shore	0	14	19	0	66
5	Des Herring	Mt Albert	7	11	6	0	55
6	Jackie Rata	City	0	6	19	1	52
7	Frank Furnell	Richmond	1	18	6	0	51
8	Tom Chase	Manukau	5	9	5	0	43
9	J Hutchinson	City	3	12	4	0	41
10	Wilfred Brimble	Newton	2	11	5	0	38

Senior reserve competitions

The early round results were not reported while several later rounds also only had sporadic reporting. Richmond and Mount Albert were tied after 18 rounds necessitating a final between the two teams which Richmond won by 16 points to 10.

Norton Cup standings

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Richmond Rovers reserves	16	14	1	1	302	66	29
Mount Albert United reserves	16	14	1	1	416	66	29
Marist Old Boys reserves	13	9	0	4	141	107	18
Newton Rangers reserves	15	6	1	8	132	164	13
Ponsonby United reserves	11	5	0	6	108	97	10
North Shore Albions reserves	12	5	0	7	81	101	10
Papakura reserves	12	2	1	9	72	158	5
City Rovers reserves	10	2	0	8	90	204	4
Manukau reserves	13	0	0	13	49	307	0

Norton Cup results

In the opening round match between Mount Albert and Ponsonby at Grey Lynn, Norman Drew fractured his ankle.

	Date		Score		Score	Referee	Venue
Round 1	9 April	Marist	?	North Shore	?	O Chalmers	Grey Lynn Park, 3pm
-	9 April	Mount Albert	W	Ponsonby	L	E Kelly	Grey Lynn Park, 1:30
-	9 April	Manukau	L	Newton	W	E Butt	Stadium, 3pm
-	9 April	Richmond	18	Papakura	2	H Tate	Stadium, 3pm
Round 2	16 April	Mount Albert	W	Newton	L	A Pearson	Grey Lynn Park, 3pm
-	16 April	Ponsonby	L	Richmond	W	G Barnhill	Grey Lynn Park, 1:30
-	16 April	Papakura	?	City	?	A Lennie	Western Springs, 3pm
-	16 April	North Shore	?	Manukau	?	H Tate	Western Springs, 1:30
Round 3	23 April	North Shore	L	Mount Albert	W	H Tate	Auckland Domain 5, 1:30
-	23 April	Marist	W	Manukau	L	G Kelly	Auckland Domain 5, 1:30
-	23 April	City	?	Ponsonby	?	A Kinnaird	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
-	23 April	Newton	L	Richmond	W	T McIntosh	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
Round 4	30 April	Marist	12	Mount Albert	3	K McIver	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	30 April	Ponsonby	13	Papakura	0	W Skelton	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	30 April	Richmond	12	North Shore	4	J Gedye	Auckland Domain, 1:30
-	30 April	Newton	37	City	25	G Barnhill	Auckland Domain, 1:30
Round 5	7 May	Richmond	14	Marist	0	C Knott	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	7 May	Mount Albert	39	Manukau	3	A Otto	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	7 May	North Shore	16	City	10	O Chalmers	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm
-	7 May	Newton	8	Papakura	7	A Pearson	Auckland Domain 5, 1:30
Round 6	14 May	Richmond	52	Manukau	7	Jack Hawkes	Auckland Domain 2, 1:30
-	14 May	Newton	15	Ponsonby	3	T McIntosh	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	14 May	Marist	27	City	3	Stuart Billman	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
-	14 May	North Shore	7	Papakura	6	A Simpson	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
Round 7	28 May	North Shore	5	Ponsonby	10	N McIntosh	Devonport Domain, 1:30
-	28 May	City	14	Manukau	13	Percy Rogers	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	28 May	Mount Albert	20	Richmond	8	Frank Thompson	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	28 May	Marist	11	Papakura	2	K McIvor	Carlaw Park 2, 1:30
Round 8	4 June	Marist	26	Ponsonby	8	Ralph Otto	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	4 June	Newton	5	North Shore	3	A Simpson	Auckland Domain 3, 3pm
-	4 June	Mount Albert	22	City	8	G Barnhill	Auckland Domain 5, 1:45
-	4 June	Papakura	18	Manukau	0	Roy Otto	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm
Round 9	11 June	Ponsonby	11	Manukau	5	Ralph Otto	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	11 June	Marist	2	Newton	0	J Gedye	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	11 June	Richmond	32	City	2	O Chalmers	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
-	11 June	Mount Albert	25	Papakura	5	A Pearson	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
Round 10	18 June	North Shore	5	Marist	2	Stuart Billman	Carlaw Park 2, 1:30
-	18 June	Newton	27	Manukau	0	A Simpson	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	18 June	Mount Albert	20	Ponsonby	11	J Cottingham	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	18 June	Richmond	24	Papakura	3	E Butt	Prince Edward Park, 1:30
Round 11	25 June	Mount Albert	32	Newton	5	A Kinnaird	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	25 June	Richmond	11	Ponsonby	7	Jack Donovan	Auckland Domain 2, 1:30
-	25 June	Papakura	13	City	3	A Lennie	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
-	25 June	North Shore	22	Manukau	0	T Evans	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
Round 12	2 July	Richmond	27	Newton	7	G Kelly	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	2 July	North Shore	L	Mount Albert	W	C Boneham	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	2 July	Marist	19	Manukau	2	H Tate	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm
-	2 July	City	?	Ponsonby	?	A Farrell	Auckland Domain 5, 1:30
Round 13	9 July	City	?	Newton	?	G Kelly	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	9 July	Mount Albert	29	Marist	11	Roy Otto	Auckland Domain, 1:30
-	9 July	Papakura	?	Ponsonby	?	O Chalmers	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	9 July	Richmond	36	North Shore	0	T Evans	Auckland Domain, 1:30
Round 14	23 July	North Shore	?	Ponsonby	?	Jack Hawkes	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	23 July	Mount Albert	0	Richmond	0	H Tate	Auckland Domain 2, 1:30
-	23 July	Manukau	?	City	?	A Farrell	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
-	23 July	Papakura	?	Marist	?	Ted Mincham	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
Round 15	30 July	Ponsonby	15	Newton	2	G Kelly	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	30 July	Richmond	23	Manukau	6	Stuart Billman	Victoria Park, 3pm
-	30 July	North Shore	7	Papakura	6	O Chalmers	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	30 July	Marist	13	City	3	Jack Hawkes	Auckland Domain, 1:30
Round 16	6 August	Mount Albert	52	Manukau	0	T Evans	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	6 August	Richmond	26	Marist	0	J Cottingham	Auckland Domain 2, 1:30
-	6 August	City	14	North Shore	12	C Boneham	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
-	6 August	Papakura	8	Newton	8	J Gedye	Ellerslie Reserve, 1:45
Round 17	13 August	Ponsonby	?	Marist	?	G Kelly	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	13 August	Manukau	?	Papakura	?	A Lennie	Auckland Domain, 1:30
-	13 August	North Shore	?	Newton	?	H Tate	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	13 August	Mount Albert	24	City	6	A Pearson	Auckland Domain, 1:30
Round 18	20 August	Marist	18	Newton	12	A Kinnaird	Auckland Domain 1, 1:30
-	20 August	Ponsonby	30	Manukau	13	A Farrell	Auckland Domain 1, 3pm
-	20 August	Mount Albert	34	Papakura	2	T Evans	Auckland Domain 5, 1:30
-	20 August	Richmond	19	City	8	E Butt	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm

Senior reserve final

	27 August	Richmond	16-10	Mount Albert	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hilton, Graham 2, Williams Con: George Tittleton 2		Try: Callinan, Collins Con: Renton Pen: Renton	Referee: T Evans

Stallard Cup (knockout competition)

Stallard Cup results

	Date		Score		Score	Referee	Venue
Round 1	3 September	Mount Albert	40	Papakura	4	D Chalmers	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	3 September	Marist	W	North Shore	L	Stuart Billman	Auckland Domain 2, 1:30
-	3 September	Richmond	W	Newton	L	J Jones	Auckland Domain 6, 3pm
-	3 September	City	W	Manukau	L	E Pope	Auckland Domain 6, 1:30
Round 2	10 September	Ponsonby	?	Richmond	?	A Farrell	Auckland Domain, 3pm
-	10 September	Marist	W	City	L	A Pearson	Outer Domain, 1:30
-	10 September	Mount Albert	W	Kensington (Whangarei)	L	Jack Hawkes	Outer Domain, 1:30
Semi final	17 September	Marist	5	Mount Albert	2	O Chalmers	Outer Domain, 3pm
Semi final	17 September	Richmond	W	Ponsonby	L	Ted Mincham	Outer Domain, 1:30
Final	24 September	Richmond	18	Marist	7	O Chalmers	Carlaw Park 2, 1:30

Senior B grade competitions

Sharman Cup standings

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Otahuhu senior B	12	9	1	2	85	61	19
Green Lane senior B	11	7	0	4	88	48	14
Ellerslie United senior B	12	5	2	5	114	59	12
Point Chevalier senior B	12	3	1	8	52	79	7
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers senior B	11	3	0	8	62	66	4
R.V. senior B	12	1	0	11	34	122	2

Sharman Cup results

The round 1 match between Otahuhu and Point Chevalier at Walker Park was called off by the referee with Otahuhu in the lead by 25 points to 13. The match was awarded to Otahuhu with Point Chevalier's approval. Earlier in the season the Point Chevalier club had seen floodlights added to its ground at Walker Park for the first time. Manukau entered a team after round 1 but they defaulted their round 2 match against Ellerslie (this match was then removed from the records) and then withdrew from the competition.

Otahuhu won the competition and their final round match was against Green Lane (who finished runner up) at Carlaw Park on July 16. The match was a curtain-raiser to the Auckland – New Zealand match. Not all of the results were reported in the newspapers however at the conclusion of the competition the Auckland Star reported that the teams finished on the following competition points: Otahuhu 19, Green Lane 14, Ellerslie 12, Point Chevalier 7, Northcote 6, R.V. 2.

	Date		Score		Score	Referee	Venue
Round 1	30 April	Ellerslie	17	Northcote	5	C Knott	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	30 April	Point Chevalier	13	Otahuhu	25	E Longville	Walker Park, 3pm
-	30 April	Green Lane	13	R.V.	0	A Pearson	Green Lane, 3pm
Round 2	7 May	Green Lane	13	Northcote	11	Ernest Korn	Victoria Park, 3pm
-	7 May	Point Chevalier	15	R.V.	0	A Lennie	Walker Park, 3pm
Round 3	14 May	Otahuhu	15	Ellerslie	15	O Chalmers	Otahuhu, 3pm
-	14 May	Green Lane	15	Point Chevalier	5	G Kelly	Green Lane, 3pm
-	14 May	Northcote	27	R.V.	5	Doncaster	Stafford Park, 3pm
Round 4	21 May	Ellerslie	28	R.V.	4	T Evans	Auckland Domain 2, 3pm
-	21 May	Point Chevalier	7	Northcote	6	H Tate	Walker Park, 3pm
-	21 May	Otahuhu	W	Green Lane	L	G Kelly	Otahuhu, 3pm
Round 5	28 May	Otahuhu	16	R.V.	12	Stuart Billman	Victoria Park, 3pm
-	28 May	Ellerslie	25	Point Chevalier	5	O Chalmers	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
Round 6	4 June	Green Lane	?	Ellerslie	?	Percy Rogers	Green Lane, 3pm
-	4 June	Otahuhu	?	Northcote	?	Maurice Wetherill	Otahuhu, 3pm
Round 7	6 June	Otahuhu	24	Ellerslie	9	A Simpson	Carlaw Park 1, 1:45
Round 8	11 June	Northcote	2	Ellerslie	5	A Simpson	Stafford Park, 3pm
-	11 June	Otahuhu	?	Point Chevalier	?	D McIntosh	Otahuhu 3pm
-	11 June	R.V.	9	Green Lane	8	Stuart Billman	Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 9	18 June	Point Chevalier	D	Ellerslie	D	Roy Otto	Walker Park, 3pm
-	18 June	Green Lane	19	Northcote	11	T Evans	Green Lane, 3pm
-	18 June	Otahuhu	W	R.V.	L	O Chalmers	Otahuhu, 3pm
Round 10	25 June	Ellerslie	?	Otahuhu	?	Percy Rogers	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	25 June	Northcote	W	R.V.	L	Roy Otto	Victoria Park 2, 3pm
-	25 June	Point Chevalier	7	Green Lane	8	Maurice Wetherill	Walker Park, 3pm
Round 11	2 July	Ellerslie	15	R.V.	4	T Evans	Victoria Park 2, 3pm
-	2 July	Northcote	?	Point Chevalier	?	Ernest Korn	Outer Domain, 3:15
-	2 July	Green Lane	L	Otahuhu	W	A Kinnaird	Green Lane, 3pm
Round 12	9 July	Ellerslie	?	Green Lane	?	Stuart Billman	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	9 July	Northcote	?	Otahuhu	?	A Pearson	Stafford Park, 3pm
-	9 July	Point Chevalier	W	R.V.	L	A Simpson	Outer Domain, 3pm
Round 13	16 July	Green Lane	12	Otahuhu	5	?	Carlaw Park 1, 1:30
-	16 July	Ellerslie	?	R.V.	?	Ted Mincham	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm
-	16 July	Point Chevalier	?	Northcote	?	J Cottingham	Walker Park, 3pm

Walmsley Shield (knockout competition)

Due to the amount of time left in the season following the conclusion of the Sharman Cup it was decided to play a full home and away competition for the Walmsley Shield. Very few results were reported and Point Chevalier dropped out of the competition after round 6. Ellerslie won the competition.

	Date		Score		Score	Referee	Venue
Round 1	23 July	Northcote	?	Ellerslie	?	Jack Donovan	Stafford Park, 3pm
-	23 July	Otahuhu	27	Point Chevalier	3	S Billman	Otahuhu, 3pm
-	23 July	Green Lane	?	R.V.	?	W Skelton	Green Lane, 3pm
Round 2	30 July	Otahuhu	12	Ellerslie	5	J Cottingham	Green Lane, 3pm
-	30 July	Northcote	?	R.V.	?	C Knott	Victoria Park, 3:15
-	30 July	Point Chevalier	LBD	Green Lane	WBD	Frank Thompson	Walker Park, 3pm
Round 3	6 August	Point Chevalier	3	Ellerslie	16	O Chalmers	Walker park, 3pm
-	6 August	Northcote	10	Green Lane	0	C Knott	Stafford Park, 3pm
-	6 August	Otahuhu	32	R.V.	0	E Butt	Otahuhu, 3pm
Round 4	13 August	Green Lane	20	Ellerslie	5	T Evans	Green Lane, 3pm
-	13 August	Otahuhu	?	Northcote	?	Jack Donovan	Otahuhu, 3pm
-	13 August	Point Chevalier	?	R.V.	?	J Jones	Victoria Park, 3pm
Round 5	20 August	Ellerslie	?	R.V.	?	J Cottingham	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	20 August	Otahuhu	?	Green Lane	?	A Linnie	Otahuhu, 3pm
Round 6	27 August	Point Chevalier	LBD	Otahuhu	WBD	Percy Rogers	Walker Park, 3pm
-	27 August	Green Lane	?	R.V.	?	J Cottingham	Auckland Domain 5, 3pm
-	27 August	Ellerslie	?	Northcote	?	Jack Donovan	Green Lane, 3pm
Round 7	3 September	Ellerslie	?	Green Lane	?	A Farrell	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	3 September	Northcote	?	Otahuhu	?	Ted Mincham	Stafford Park, 3pm
Round 8	10 September	Otahuhu	5	Ellerslie	10	E Pope	Otahuhu, 3:15
-	10 September	Green Lane	?	Northcote	?	C Knott	Green Lane, 3pm
Round 9	17 September	Ellerslie	W	Northcote	L	Frank Thompson	Ellerslie Reserve, 3pm
-	17 September	Otahuhu	?	R.V.	?	J Gedye	Grey Lynn Park, 3pm

Other club matches

Manukau v South Auckland XIII

In a preseason match Manukau played a South Auckland XIII at Waikaraka Park in Onehunga. Neither George Nepia or Jack Hemi played in the match but Manukau won a "fast and interesting contest".

	26 March	Manukau	32-6	South Auckland XIII	Waikaraka Park
	3:00	Try: T Whye, Tom Chase, Peter Mahima, McKinley 3, R Wilson, Jack Brodrick Con: Tom Chase 4		Try: Stevens, Norman Hall

Canterbury B v Newton

	23 July	Canterbury B	16-16	Newton	Monica Park
	2:45	Try: W Guy 2, L Brown, B Barnard Pen: W Guy, W Bonniface		Try: Wilfred Brimble, Bob Banham, Claude Dempsey, John Ginders Con: Fredrick Sissons 2	Attendance: 5000

Huntly v Ponsonby

	6 August	Huntly	8-17	Ponsonby	Davies Park, Huntly
	3:00	Try: Harlock, Howe Con: Dowell		Try: Jack Campbell 2, Brian Riley, Clarrie Petersen, Pat Young Con: Jack Campbell

Newton v Canterbury

	17 August	Newton	22-12	Canterbury	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bob Banham 3, W McKenzie 2, A Nathan Con: Bob Banham Pen: Wilfred Brimble		Try: Clark, Price Con: Ces Davison Pen: W Guy, Ces Davison	Referee: Stuart Billman

ARL Referees Association v South Auckland Referees Association (Kiwi Cup)

	20 August	South Auckland Referees Association	11-9	Auckland Referees Association	Davies Park, Huntly
	3:00	Try: J Wilson 2, Hayward Con: Skelton		Try: Roy Otto, Maurice Wetherill, A Lennie

Whangarei v North Shore

	20 August	Whangarei Combined	0-33	North Shore	Jubilee Park, Whangarei
	3:00			Try: Ross Jones 2, Ivor Stirling 2, Hugh Simpson, McIntosh, Ted Scott Con: Jack Smith 5 Pen: Jack Smith	Referee: H Bowyer

Lower Grades

Richmond won the Davis Shield for the most championship points in all grades which they had won for several consecutive years, while Otahuhu won the Tracy Inglis trophy for most points in the junior grades. It was noted by the chairman of the schools’ committee, Mr. A.E. Stanley at the end of the season at the final control board meeting that "eight years ago there were seven school teams in Auckland, while in the season just closed there were 41 teams in the three grades".

Schoolboys A schoolboy gala was held at Carlaw Park on the 22nd of October. Competing teams in the 7-a-side tournament were St. Patricks, George Court's (2), Ellerslie (2), Richmond, Ponsonby, Green Lane, Point Chevalier, Balmoral, Northcote, Manukau, Newton, Glenora, and Marist. The team from Ponsonby won the knockout competition when they defeated Ellerslie in the final. Ponsonby were presented with the Robert Reid Memorial Shield for winning the championship during the year, and the Wilson trophy for their knockout tournament win. The most improved 7-a-side player was named as J. Stackpole from Newton. The J. Gedye Cup went to S. Callagher of Richmond, while D. White of Ponsonby won the Don Cleverley Medal. The Marist team was presented with medals by Mr. C.L.M. Green, while J. Scott of the North Shore side was presented with the Sam Dickie Cup for goalkicking in the intermediate grade.

The results shown in the tables are based on scores reported in the New Zealand Herald, Auckland Star and Franklin Times so are very incomplete as many clubs did not submit results.

3rd Grade

The 3rd Grade was split into 2 sections due to the number of teams. North Shore won section 1 and Richmond won section 2. Both teams played a home and away series to decide the overall 3rd grade champion with Richmond winning the first match 8-2 and the second match 8-3 to take the title on August 6 and August 13 respectively. Northcote and Richmond met in the final of the knockout competition on September 10 but the result was not reported in the newspapers. Ultimately Richmond finished the season winning 16 from 16 including their knockout matches, scoring 452 points and conceding just 52.

Section 1

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
North Shore Albions	16	7	1	2	155	31	15
Otahuhu Rovers	14	6	1	3	188	43	13
Marist Old Boys	14	5	2	1	108	33	12
Papakura	14	5	1	2	88	77	11
Ellerslie United	14	3	3	4	74	74	9
Mount Albert United	14	3	0	6	70	100	6
City Rovers	14	2	0	9	37	259	4
Manukau	14	1	1	7	33	148	3

Section 2

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Richmond Rovers	14	14	0	0	452	52	28
RV	13	6	0	3	63	53	12
Ponsonby United	12	4	0	5	53	92	8
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers	11	2	0	3	38	68	4
Avondale	12	2	0	5	32	89	4
Point Chevalier	12	1	0	4	34	59	2
Glenora	12	0	0	7	29	89	0

4th Grade (Hospital Cup)

It was decided to substitute the Hospital Cup for the fourth grade championship with the George Gillett Cup which had been presented to the league by George A. Gillett earlier in the season. City won the championship. Otahuhu won the knockout competition with an 11-7 win on September 10 over City. It was unclear when the knockout competition began as all teams continued to play matches until the end of the season.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
City Rovers	18	12	0	2	300	38	24
Richmond Rovers	18	11	0	2	226	49	22
Papakura	18	8	0	5	128	101	16
Otahuhu Rovers	19	6	0	4	131	45	12
RV	18	5	2	6	112	90	12
Glenora	18	5	0	6	134	74	10
Ellerslie United	19	4	1	5	143	48	9
Mount Albert	18	4	0	6	69	114	8
North Shore Albions	18	1	1	9	15	339	3
Manukau	19	1	0	12	34	362	2
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers	2	1	0	1	25	51	2

5th Grade (Endean Shield)

Mount Albert won the championship with a 14-0 win over Green Lane on September 10. Green Lane met Richmond in the knockout competition final which ran from September 10 to October 8 but the result was not reported.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Mount Albert United	17	11	0	1	207	38	22
Green Lane	17	4	0	5	78	73	8
Richmond Rovers	17	7	0	4	124	67	14
City Rovers	16	5	0	2	79	27	10
Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers	16	4	0	7	72	95	8
North Shore Albions	16	4	0	5	58	97	8
Ellerslie United	17	4	0	5	60	130	8
Point Chevalier	16	1	0	7	35	130	2
Papakura	16	1	0	6	14	70	2

6th Grade (Rhodes Shield)

Ponsonby won the championship. On August 20 Ponsonby beat Richmond 7-3 but the match was ordered to be replayed. Ponsonby won the match on September 3 and then got to play Marist in a playoff for the title. Ponsonby won easily by 18 points to 0. On June 11 Richmond beat Avondale 6-3 however they had fielded an over age player. The player in question had provided their younger brothers birth certificate and had been registered by the ARL. Richmond argued that the ARL was complicit if they were. The league eventually decided to replay the game. The replay was on August 6 and Richmond won 8-4 after having won the original match 6-3. Richmond won the knockout competition when they beat Otahuhu 32 to 8 on September 17.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Ponsonby United	18	14	1	3	216	70	29
Marist Old Boys	17	11	1	5	116	70	23
Richmond Rovers	21	13	2	4	194	63	28
Avondale	18	4	0	11	115	107	8
Otahuhu Rovers	17	4	0	12	90	132	8
Green Lane	5	0	0	5	18	97	0
Newton Rangers	8	0	0	6	0	210	0

7th Grade (Myers Cup)

Richmond won the championship and the knockout title with a 15-5 win over City on August 20. They played a friendly match against Hikurangi from Northland on September 3 and won 15-5.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Richmond Rovers	13	10	0	2	161	30	20
Ellerslie United	13	5	0	3	39	50	10
North Shore Albions	14	12	0	1	40	8	24
City Rovers	13	3	2	3	41	76	8
Manukau	14	2	2	6	55	85	6
Point Chevalier	13	2	0	3	50	46	4
North Shore Albions	13	2	0	1	21	18	4
Papakura	13	1	2	6	37	67	4
Glenora	7	1	0	3	10	42	2

Schoolboy competitions

The majority of teams were affiliated with a club side and were made up of schoolboys from that areas schools rather than one school in particular.

Senior (Lou Rout Trophy)

Richmond won the championship and the knockout competition (Stanley Cup) when they beat Mount Albert 18-6 on October 1. In late July a senior Auckland schoolboys team was selected to play against the South Auckland (Waikato) side for the Golden Bloom banner. The side included future New Zealand representatives Ron McGregor and George Davidson, and other future senior players. The team was:- Morrie Brockliss (Northcote), A. Speedy (Otahuhu), N. Green (Avondale), V. Ryall, Ron McGregor (Richmond), J. Sorby (Newton), Colin Riley (Green Lane), A. Hayson (Ponsonby); forwards, G. Lewis, K. Jarvis (Point Chevalier), A. Clark (Glenora), R. Fielder (Green Lane), George Davidson (Mount Albert), K. Lorrigan (Newton), J. Brien (Newton).

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Richmond Rovers	15	11	0	0	303	5	22
Newton Rangers	15	6	0	1	117	41	12
Avondale	15	4	0	2	78	17	8
Mount Albert United	14	4	0	1	50	14	8
Green Lane	16	2	1	2	23	66	5
Point Chevalier	15	2	1	5	38	100	5
Otahuhu Rovers	15	0	2	6	18	97	2
Ponsonby United	15	1	0	5	34	77	2
Glenora	13	1	0	6	16	129	0

Intermediate championship (Newport Shield)

Richmond won the championship (Newport Shield), and the Eccles Memorial Shield. They won the knockout competition when they beat Ponsonby 25-11 in the final on October 1, and a week later they beat Newton in the champion of champions match. Newton had finished runner up in the championship. St Patricks School on Wellington Street in Freemans Bay entered two teams in the competition after 5 weeks under the umbrella of the City Rovers club which was situated in the area.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Richmond	15	10	1	0	231	12	21
Newton	15	4	2	2	77	25	10
George Courts	14	4	1	3	60	99	9
Ellerslie	14	3	0	3	39	40	6
Northcote	14	2	2	2	25	22	6
Avondale	15	2	1	3	28	36	5
Ponsonby	14	2	0	2	26	26	4
North Shore	15	1	1	0	25	12	3
Balmoral	13	1	1	3	15	115	3
St Patricks A	10	1	0	7	42	113	2
Point Chevalier	16	0	1	2	3	33	1
St Patricks B	7	0	0	2	5	46	0

Junior championship (Robert Reid Memorial Shield)

Ponsonby won the competition when they beat Ellerslie in the final on October 22. Not all results were reported so their exact numbers in the standings are incomplete. St Patricks School on Wellington Street in Freemans Bay entered a side on August 20. Napier Street school also entered a team on August 20 but they only played a small number of fixtures and lost 2 games by default.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Ponsonby	23	13	3	2	101	9	29
Ellerslie	26	14	3	3	103	36	31
George Courts	26	16	1	3	198	41	33
Richmond	24	14	3	2	119	27	31
Manukau	24	11	1	5	106	55	23
Newton	25	8	2	3	50	27	18
Point Chevalier	23	6	3	8	40	75	15
Mount Albert United	22	5	2	8	40	61	12
Glenora	26	5	2	13	30	127	12
Balmoral	22	4	1	13	49	113	9
Avondale	24	3	2	10	32	84	8
Northcote	24	3	0	13	15	81	6
St Patricks	11	2	0	5	11	23	4
Green Lane	23	0	0	17	6	151	0
Napier Street	4	0	0	2	0	0	0

Representative Fixtures

Auckland v Rest of North Island

	18 May	Auckland	67-14	Rest of North Island	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Clarry McNeil 3, Jack Brodrick 3, Tom Chase, Walter Brimble, Wally Tittleton, Des Herring, Jack Satherley, Angus Gault, John Anderson, Harold Tetley Con: Jack Smith 7, John Anderson 4		Try: E Mustchen, H Rodgers, E Taylor 2 Pen: E Taylor	Referee: Maurice Wetherill

North Island v South Island (inter-island match)

Brian Riley was initially named to play for the North Island side but as he was unable to get leave from work to potentially tour Australia if selected he was replaced in the North Island side.

	21 May	North Island	55-2	South Island	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Gordon Midgley, Rangi Chase 2, Walter Brimble, Des Herring 3, Jack Satherley, Joe Cootes, Angus Gault, Jack Brodrick, Clarry McNeil Con: Jack Smith 10 Pen: Jack Smith		Pen: P Scott	Referee: Frank Thompson

Probables v Possibles

The Possibles team led 19–0 at halftime and so the selectors switched the forwards and three players who had started in the Possibles side scored points for the Probables in the second half (Bert Leatherbarrow, John Anderson, and Bill McNeight).

	21 May	Probables	21-25	Possibles	Carlaw Park 1
	1:45	Try: Arthur Kay, Bert Leatherbarrow 2, John Anderson, Bill McNeight Con: John Anderson 3		Try: Tom Chase 2, Verdun Scott 2, John Anderson 2, Bill Breed Con: Frank Furnell 2	Referee: Frank Thompson

Auckland Māori (Tamaki) v Auckland Pākehā

During the match 24 year old Joseph Alva Gunning received a kick to the head and went to Auckland Hospital with concussion. It was said that his condition was not serious however the New Zealand Herald reported two weeks later that he had only recently been discharged from hospital with the intention of playing in the upcoming weekend match for Mount Albert though he ultimately didn't return until their July 2 match. Ted Brimble, the Auckland Māori first five-eighth injured his leg in the first half and was replaced by Mihaka Panapa.

	6 June	Auckland Māori (Tamaki)	26-21	Auckland Pākehā	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: J Wilson 2, Noel Bickerton, Peter Mahima, Pita Ririnui, Martin Hansen Con: Tom Chase 3 Pen: Tom Chase		Try: A Duncan, Ted Mincham, Walker, Bert Leatherbarrow, Clarrie Petersen Con: Verdun Scott, Ted Mincham 2	Referee: Stuart Billman

Auckland v New Zealand

Tommy Chase kicking with Walter Brimble following for New Zealand.

	16 July	Auckland	21-13	New Zealand	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Jack Campbell, Bob Banham, Joseph Gunning, Clarrie Petersen 2 Con: Verdun Scott, Tom Chase Pen: Tom Chase		Try: Rangi Chase, Jack Smith, Jack McLeod Con: Jack Hemi 2	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Frank Thompson

Auckland v Canterbury

	13 August	Auckland	28-22	Canterbury	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Rangi Chase 3, Trevor Bramley, Pita Ririnui, Jack Brodrick Con: Jack Hemi 5		Try: Ces Davison, Ray Brown, R Price 2 Con: Ces Davison, W Guy Pen: Ces Davison 3	Referee: O Chalmers

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

No	Name	Club Team	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	Points
1	Jack Smith	North Shore	1	0	7	0	14
2	John Anderson	Marist	1	4	0	0	12
2	Jack Brodrick	Manukau	2	4	0	0	12
4	Jack Hemi	Manukau	1	0	5	0	10
5	Rangi Chase	Manukau	1	3	0	0	9
5	Clarry McNeil	Mount Albert	1	3	0	0	9
7	Clarrie Peterson	North Shore	1	2	0	0	6
8	Bob Banham	Ponsonby	1	1	0	0	3
8	Trevor Bramley	Richmond	1	1	0	0	3
8	Walter Brimble	Manukau	2	1	0	0	3
8	Jack Campbell	Ponsonby	1	1	0	0	3
8	Angus Gault	Manukau	1	1	0	0	3
8	Joseph Gunning	Mount Albert	1	1	0	0	3
8	Des Herring	Mount Albert	1	1	0	0	3
8	Pita Ririnui	Manukau	1	1	0	0	3
8	Jack Satherley	Richmond	2	1	0	0	3
8	Harold Tetley	Richmond	1	1	0	0	3
8	Wally Tittleton	Richmond	1	1	0	0	3
19	Tom Chase	Manukau	2	0	0	1	2
19	Verdun Scott	North Shore	1	0	1	0	2
21	Peter Mahima	Manukau	2	0	0	0	0
21	Wilfred Brimble	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
21	Alf Broadhead	Richmond	1	0	0	0	0
21	Merv Devine	Richmond	1	0	0	0	0
21	Bill Glover	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
21	Reginald Haslam	Marist	1	0	0	0	0
21	Bert Leatherbarrow	Richmond	1	0	0	0	0
21	Jack McLeod	Richmond	1	0	0	0	0
21	Edgar Morgan	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0
21	Brian Riley	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0
21	Richard Shadbolt	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0

Auckland Pākehā representative matches played and scoring

No	Name	Club Team	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	DG	Points
1	Ted Mincham	Richmond	1	1	2	0	0	7
2	A Duncan	Newton	1	1	0	0	0	3
2	R Walker	Mount Albert	1	1	0	0	0	3
2	Bert Leatherbarrow	Mount Albert	1	1	0	0	0	3
2	Clarrie Peterson	Ponsonby	1	1	0	0	0	3
6	Verdun Scott	North Shore	1	0	1	0	0	2
7	Bob Banham	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Arthur McInnarney	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Phil Donovan	Marist	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Alf Broadhead	Richmond	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Richard Shadbolt	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Joseph Gunning	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Edgar Morgan	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0	0

Auckland Māori (Tāmaki) representative season

Auckland Māori only played one match during the season. The club competition ran much longer than it had in previous seasons and the New Zealand side went on a mid season tour of Australia meaning that there were relatively few opportunities for representative matches. On June 6 they played an Auckland Pākehā side at Carlaw Park and won 26 to 21.

Tāmaki (Auckland Māori) representative matches played and scorers

Mihaka Panapa came on to replace Ted Brimble in their match just before half time after Brimble injured his leg.

No	Name	Club Team	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	Points
1	Tom Chase	Manukau	1	0	3	1	8
2	R Wilson	Manukau	1	2	0	0	6
3	Noel Bickerton	Richmond	1	1	0	0	3
3	Peter Mahima	Manukau	1	1	0	0	3
3	Pita Ririnui	Manukau	1	1	0	0	3
3	Martin Hansen	Mount Albert	1	1	0	0	3
7	L Cootes	Ponsonby	1	0	0	0	0
7	A Nathan	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
7	Jack Tristram	Mount Albert	1	0	0	0	0
7	Steve Watene	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
7	Kendall	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
7	Jack Broughton	Manukau	1	0	0	0	0
7	Ted Brimble	Newton	1	0	0	0	0
7	Mihaka Panapa	Manukau	1	0	0	0	0

Annual general meetings and club news

• Auckland Rugby League Junior Management Committee At the junior control board annual meeting on March 8 Mr. D. Wilkie presided. The following board was elected: Messrs. W. Berger, E. Chapman, C. Howe, J. Stonex, A. Hopkinson, E. McNamara, D. Wilkie, F. Kennedy, R. Short. On April 12 at their board meeting they set April 22 as the final day for nominations for the junior grades with a tentative start date for games on April 30.

• Auckland Rugby League Referees Association held their annual meeting in early March. The retiring secretary Mr. Wilfred Simpson was made a life member of the association. The following officers were elected:- President, Mr. Les Bull; vice-president Mr. J.G. McCowatt; hon. secretary Mr. T.E. Skinner; treasurer Mr. A. Chapman; auditor Mr. Percy Rogers; delegates, A.R.L., Mr. M. Renton, N.Z. Referees’ Association Mr. Les Bull, representative grading committee, Messrs. Maurice Wetherill, Percy Rogers, R Otto. On March 28 at a meeting the Referees Association received a letter from the control board advising them that Mr. R.H. Benson had been reappointed as their representative on their board with Mr T. Davis as deputy. On April 4 M. Renton resigned as delegate to the junior management. He along with A. Sanders were then elected as the grading and examination committee with Les Bull nominated as third man on the appointments board, subject to approval by the control board. At their final meeting of the year on October 3 Percy Rogers announced that he was retiring from active refereeing. He thanked Messrs. Leslie Edgar Bull, McCowatt, and Arthur Ball. Tribute was paid to president Bull for "his able chairmanship and guidance in administrative matters". Thanks was also said to Messrs. A. McCowatt, William Mincham, J. Short, T.E. Skinner, and Arthur Rae. On the day of the Stormont Shield final which Percy Rogers refereed he was presented with a blazer. He had been a prominent referee for 16 years and refereed many international matches. Mr. F.H. Whitman who had cared for traveling teams was presented with a travelling outfit.
• Avondale League Football Club In June Avondale advised the ARL junior management board that it had decided to form a junior officers’ club, to collaborate with the Auckland Rugby League in "any matters for the good of the game". In late June the Avondale league clubs football ladies’ committee held a "highly successful" dance at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The dance hall and supper room were decorated in the club's colours. They held a dance at the Oddfellow's Hall in early October in honour of a visiting team from Whangarei. The venue was decorated in the colours of both clubs. The programme "consisted of new and old time dances and items from Māori members of the Northern team. The visitors were welcomed by the chairman, Mr. L. Hulhman, and Mr. Dunkley, secretary of the Northland league". On December 10 Avondale held their annual picnic at Tui Glen in Henderson with 150 present.

• City Rovers held a practice on March 12 at Carlaw Park. They were advertising for "vacancies for players in all grades, and applications are invited". They held their annual picnic on Motuihe Island on October 9, departing central Auckland at 9:30 on board the Baroona. Over 500 members and supporters attended. Trophies were presented to D. Hutchinson who was the most consistent player (C. Haynes’ Cup), and E. McCarthy for training attendance for the reserve grade side. E. Wehner and Jack Rata were tied for honours for senior training and general merit. Wehner received a medal from Mr. W. Johnson and Rata received the club medal. Their fourth grade team was presented with the G. Gillett Cup for winning the championship, and the Raynes Cup for the most club championship points. Other individual awards presented were: (Third Grade) First try of the season, J. Sullivan; most improved player, E. Grey; most improved uniform, A. Bain; control of fourth team, A. Mitchell. (Fifth Grade) most consistent player, R. Robinson; best behaved, Leslie Beehre. (Seventh grade) best back, J. Hubbard; best forward, E. Purdy; behaviour, L. Pell; most improved, J. Tuki; most improved forward, D. McCormack; and most consistent, J. Haora. Trophies were donated by Messrs. Morrison, Glover, F.H. Whitham, C.E. Johnston, Farley, B. Messenger, and W. Roff.

• Ellerslie United Rugby League Club held their annual meeting in early March. Their report made mention of the 3rd grade team which won the knock-out competition. The 4th grade side was runner-up in the championship, while the schoolboys seven-a-side team was only defeated once. They stated that they were in a "satisfactory financial position". Cups were presented to J. McArthur who was the best back in the club, and Ernie Pinches, the best forward. Both players were members of the 3rd grade team. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. Arthur Osborne, M.P.; president, Mr. J. McInnarney; vice-presidents, Messrs, R.H. McIsaac, J. Court, A. Chapman, A. McKenzie, C. Clarke, Carver, Whelan, R. Cameron; club captain, Mr. F. Chapman; secretary and treasurer, Mr. George Whaley; auditors, J. Carr, O.D. Slye; committee, Messrs, J. Wilson (chairman), A. Strong, R. Hunter, A Tobin, S. Pemberton, C. Pemberton, R. Boss, C. Tucker, W. Miller, H. Thomas, H. Johnson, J. Pinches, M. Campbell. They held their annual picnic at Point England.

• Rugby league in Manurewa. On March 22 rugby league and rugby union both made claims to use the grounds at Jellicoe Park to the Manurewa Borough Council. Rugby league asked for use of the ground on alternate Saturdays for its 28 registered players in the area while rugby officials said "they were solely dependent upon the facilities for the 39 players on their books". The Mayor Mr. W.J. Ferguson said "he had hoped the two codes would have been able to arrange matters amicably. The council had to weigh equitably the claims of the community. It was decided to offer the codes equal use of the park and to make a charge of 10/6 each playing day. It was suggested that a senior match should be arranged for each Saturday".

• Marist Brothers Old Boys League Football Club held their annual meeting on March 10 at 7.45pm at the Auckland Rugby League Rooms. The club's secretary Mr. Joe Sayegh congratulated the senior team on their success after they missed out on the championship by one competition point, but won the Roope Rooster trophy and Stormont Shield. The balance sheet reportedly showed a "substantial credit balance". The following officers were elected:- Patron, His Lordship Bishop Liston; president, Mr. Joe Sayegh; vice-presidents, same as last year; secretary Jack Kirwan; honorary treasurer, Mr. P. Fletcher; committee, Messrs J. Ball, W. Maddigan, Fraser Hudson Webberley, George Copas, P. Hughes. On October 29 they held their annual prize giving with over 300 members and supporters present. ARL chairman, G. Grey Campbell presented the club with the Fox Memorial Shield, and the Thistle Cup for the most points in the second round. Individual and team prizes went to McLeod (most improved player), Stanaway (most conscientious at training), third grade: McWilliams and Hughes, sixth grade: Sydney Bracegirdle. R.L. Haslam was presented with a handbag in recognition of his services to the club. He had announced his retirement but club president Joe Sayegh said he hoped he would still be available for the following season. The club then issued its new official badges which were a shamrock with the title initials on green petals over a gold background.

• Manukau Rugby League Club In mid February, Manukau secured Pita Ririnui from Tauranga to play for them. He was a former rugby representative player who had played for the combined Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bay of Plenty against the Springboks in Gisborne in 1937. The South African captain Philip Nel had said that he was one of the best forwards that they had met on the tour of Australia and New Zealand. Ririnui was "6ft 1in in height, weighs 16st, and is 22 years of age". It was also reported that T, Kakau a sizeable rugby back was also moving to Auckland. A special meeting of players was to be held at Onehunga on February 28. They held practice matches against visiting teams from the Lower Waikato on March 26. Two junior sides would play teams from Ngaruawahia, while the senior team would play South Auckland (Waikato). The matches would be played at Waikaraka Park. In late November the council the Onehunga Borough Council turned down Manukau's application to lease Gloucester Park. The ground was formerly known as Geddes Basin and had been drained in 1934 before being transformed into a sports ground. It had laid idle for three years. Mr. N.A. Ching wrote to the council on behalf of the Manukau club offering to lease the ground for 10 years at a rental of £25 a year with the right of further renewal, and a further £25 a year if the lease of a cottage was included. They also undertook to spend "at least £100 a year on improvements and buildings". However Mr. W.J. Moore of the council was of the opinion that "it was inadvisable at the present time to grant a lease of Gloucester Park, in view of its future potentialities, and on his motion this course was adopted.

• Mount Albert United Rugby League Football Club Their annual meeting was held on February 28. The club was reported to be in a "sound financial position". There were a number of new players registering with the club which indicated "a very successful season" on offer. It was decided to begin training immediately. The following officers were elected:- Patron, the mayor of Mount Albert; vice-patron, Mr. Arthur Shapton Richards, M.P.; president, Mr. A.C. Gallagher; vice-presidents, same as last year with power to add; hon. secretary, Mr. H.G. Shaw; hon. treasurer, Mr. William Edmund Schultz; club captain, Mr. F. Martin, hon. auditor, Mr. S.C. Johnston. In mid October they held their annual prize giving at the Manchester Unity Hall. Prizes were given to best club schoolboy, I. Garrett; best club member (annual), C. Allan; schoolboy coaching services, A. Jenkinson. Senior grade: Most improved player, A. McLaughlan; most consistent forward, Richard Seddon Shadbolt, reserve grade: back, C. Renton; forward (annual), C. Callinan; annual 100 yards championship for C. Elwin Memorial Cup, and for coaching services, Claude List; goal kicking, E. Cranch; consistent forward, F. List, Third grade: Best all-rounder, M Haswell; back, J Mens; forward, W. Stewart; improved player A. Chiswell. Fifth grade: back, W. Carter; good conduct, James Seath; improved back, R. Hogan; improved forward, P. Lenihan, Schoolboys: Improved player, N. Clark: best dressed (seven-a-side), D. Greenhalgh: coaching services, N. Lake.

• Newton Rangers Football Club It was reported in July that former player Roy Hardgrave was returning to New Zealand after playing for York and Toulouse. J. Lee, an Australian was taken on as their senior coach.

• North Shore Albions held their annual meeting on March 9 at the Labour Hall in Devonport at 8pm.
• Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers Football Club were granted the use of Stafford Park on "the usual terms to the Northcote Ramblers League Football Club for matches and practice". On June 28 at the meeting of the junior management committee they read a letter from Northcote advising that their secretary, Mr. Andrew Borrows was having to resign owing to his departure from Auckland. Mr. J. Evans had been appointed in his place. On August 23 Northcote asked for permission to send their senior B team to visit Whangarei the following Saturday.

• Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club Otahuhu elected the following officers at its annual meeting in early March: Patron, Mr. H.F. Clements; president, Mr. C Hill; last years vice presidents were re-appointed with additions hon. secretary Owen McManus; treasurer C.F. Clarke; committee Messrs W. Clinton, W. Gordon, C. Dunne, C. Kelly, A Porteous, W. Hart, I Auckram, A. Pond; captains, Messrs R. Roud and B. McDonald. Their report stated that the third and fifth grades won their respective titles and were runners up in the knockout competitions. While the schoolboys team was runner up in its grade". In late March Otahuhu applied for permission to train on Sturges Park on Thursday evenings to the Otahuhu Borough Council. The Otahuhu Rugby Club applied for permission to train at Sturges Park on Tuesday and Thursday nights and to be able to use the ground on Saturday afternoons until the season opened. The matter was referred to the parks committee. In mid August John Nicholson passed away aged 80. He was the president of Otahuhu for many years. Otahuhu nominated a team to enter the Roope Rooster competition in August. They also asked to stage a special match as a benefit for the Otahuhu Free Kindergarten. As the draw had already been made for the Roope Rooster competition the league suggested they nominate a team for the Stallard Cup which was competed for by the senior reserve teams.

• Papakura Rugby League Football Club At their annual meeting on March 3 they made special note of the excellent record of their senior side which won the senior B grade. They only lost one match out of 18 and won the Foster Memorial Shield, the Sharman Cup, and the Walmsley Shield. Their membership for 1937 totalled 133 with 12 honorary members which was a record for the club. Mr. R. Walsh presented the balance sheet which showed that the club had a credit balance of £117 1s 3d which was £30 more than the year before despite having some heavy expenses including £83 for transport. The club patron, Mr. H.A. Pollock presented the club with a new set of jerseys. The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. Hugh Arnold Pollock; president, Mr. L. McVeigh; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. Chamberlain, William James Davidson Jack, Sydney Herbert Godden, Francis Verner; treasurer, R. Walsh; club captain, F. Osborne; auditor, J. Beans; committee, Messrs, A. McDonald, G. Wilson, William Cornthwaite, P. Hammond, V. Ashby, I. Wilson, Norman Widdowson, E. Searle, J. Ansley; grounds committee, A. Schawtfeger, J. McVeigh, R. Bates, F. Barnes, F. Maddren, D. Watts. Papakura applied for the use of Prince Edward Park for the season. The Papakura Board granted use of the park until its term expired, and advised the club to make an application again to the new borough council, for definite terms of tenure and rental. At the Papakura Town Board meeting Mr. D. Weir said "we should definitely give the club an incentive to do something for itself at Prince Edward Park by allowing it to have a longer lease of say a few years if that could be arranged". On the 11th of April the Papakura Board granted the use of Prince Edward Park and its floodlighting for the football season. The Papakura club invited Frank Osborne, their club captain to stand as an independent candidate for the Papakura Borough Council. He was employed at the time as an engine driver for New Zealand Railways. He was also the president of the Amateur Athletic Club. It was reported Papakura had a strong connection with athletics through its players. The New Zealand Herald stated that "C. Osborne, one of the three-quarters, has built up a fine athletic record this season, competing at meetings conducted by the Papakura, Manurewa, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu and Pukekohe clubs. J. Fogarty and D. Evans, two well-built forwards, whose stamina and speed impressed on Saturday, have also had successes at these meetings. T.R. Burgess has been prominent in the Otahuhu Clubs events during the past two years, while Ewan Cossey, the halfback, has been placed in 100 yards events at Papakura in the past month. They notified the league that in early July Messrs. Sydney Herbert Godden and A. Schwartfeger had replaced Messrs E. Searle, and H. Widdowson respectively on its executive. In October Papakura celebrated their season at the Windsor Theatre with officials from the Auckland Rugby League and members of the Eastern Suburbs touring side. On November 27, Papakura held their third annual picnic with 500 in attendance at Mr. J. McNicol's property at Clevedon.

• Point Chevalier League Football Club They were granted permission to hold a club day at Walker Park on June 25 where all their teams would play there. The day was in aid of the St John Ambulance Association.

• Ponsonby United Football Club They held their annual meeting on February 28. Their report stated that the success of their junior teams was "outstanding" with the schoolboy intermediate team winning the championship by scoring 304 points and having none registered against it". They also listed their nine senior players who gained representative honours. They thanked their president Mr. A. Adams for donating medals and caps to the schoolboys team while a trophy donated by Mr. A. Barnett was awarded to Frank Halloran for the best sportsman in the club. The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. W. Grant; president Mr. J. Arnell; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Grieves; hon. treasurer, Mr. L. Adams.

• Richmond Rovers Football Club held their 24th annual meeting in the Gaiety Hall in Grey Lynn on March 3 with Mr. B.W. Davis presiding before a "large attendance". At the opening of the meeting he requested that they stand in silence as a mark of respect to their patron, the late Mr. W.J. Holdsworth. Their report was satisfied with the club's success with ten grade teams and a seven-a-side Richmond was successful in winning the senior, senior reserve, 4th grade, and senior school championships. They once again won the Davis Points Shield which was open to all clubs for the most aggregate points in the junior grades. Mr. Ralph Jenkinson spoke about the various teams and then awarded the Harry Johns Memorial Cup to the senior reserve team. It was presented to their manager Mr. J. McGregor and their captain Mr. M. Metcalfe. The club also congratulated Harold Tetley, Wally Tittleton, Noel Bickerton, Jack Satherley, Jack McLeod, and George Mitchell on gaining New Zealand representative honours. The club was reported to be in a sound financial position. They elected the following officers:- Patron, Mr. J. Redwood; senior president, Mr. B.W. Davis; chairman, Mr. W.A. Swift; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W.R. Dick; delegate to primary schools’ management committee, Mr. E.J. McCarthy; club captain, Mr. Ralph Jenkinson, auditor, Mr. J.A. Redwood. Richmond held their annual picnic at Tui Glen in Henderson on December 11 with "about 450 members and friends attending". K. Fletcher was presented with the Warnock Points Shield for the year, while caps were presented to players in the championship winning sides which included the senior reserve team, the third grade, seventh grade, senior schoolboys and intermediate schoolboys.

Senior grade registration and transfers

On March 3 the following players were registered: Ian Mackenzie (ex King Country), and H.P.S. Walker (ex Queensland) to Mount Albert. Pita Ririnui and T Ririnui (Tauranga) and T Kakau to Manukau, and Ronald Beaumont Chesterman to North Shore Albions. On March 29 fifty new registrations were received while William Caples transferred from Point Chevalier to City Rovers seniors, and Ernie Pinches from Ellerslie to Mount Albert seniors. Twenty six player registrations were approved on March 30 with P Young being transferred from Newton Rangers to Ponsonby and J.J. Campbell formerly of Hikurangi being reinstated. Then on March 31 G.E. King of Newton Rangers transferred to Huntly, and Noel Messenger also of Newton transferred to Greymouth on the West Coast.

On April 6 R.A. Lush transferred from Richmond to Ponsonby reserves. J. Fraser had his transfer cleared from Western Suburbs, New Plymouth to Ponsonby. While Robert John Blakely, Thos Kelly, and Arthur Samuel Slater were reinstated. On April 13 William V.R. Smith transferred from Newton to North Shore, F Butler from Newton to Marist, Patrick Costello from Manukau senior reserves to North Shore, Thos Kelly from Manukau to Papakura, E. McNeil from Richmond to Ponsonby, Norm Campbell (player-coach) from Marist to Papakura, J.E. Pyke from Point Chevalier to Manukau, and J. Campbell from Point Chevalier to Ponsonby. J Hilton of South Auckland was cleared to play for Newton, W.G. Johnson (South Auckland to Newton), C. Preston (West Coast to Marist), E. Jones from Northland to Newton. I.N. Ibbertson was reinstated and transferred from Glenora senior B to Ponsonby. On April 19 Alan Jabez Watkins transferred from Mount Albert to Richmond, G Crocker transferred from Marist to Papakura and T Maher from R.V. senior B to City. Clarry McNeil had a clearance confirmed from Wellington to Mount Albert. On April 27 D.F. Harris was reinstated and transferred to Otahuhu.

On May 4 the following players were granted transfers:- R.P. Tatana, Manukau to City; A.J. Couper, Richmond senior B to Ponsonby seniors; R. McGreal, Marist to Ngaruawahia; Daniel Hourigan, Newton to Ponsonby; Arthur McInnarney, Ellerslie to Mount Albert. While J. Blackledge was cleared from Wellington to Auckland where he would join Northcote. On May 11 Steve Watene was transferred from Manukau to his old club, City Rovers, and a week later to Newton Rangers, while H.J. Collins was transferred from Newton to Mount Albert and C. Wilson from Marist reserves to Papakura. On May 18 G. Greenwood was transferred from Mount Albert to Richmond, and S Bickerton transferred from Mount Albert to Newton. On May 25 W. Mallinson from Waiutu, West Coast joined Manukau. C Meyer, the Northland representative player and brother of ex-international Ted Meyer applied to join the Papakura club. M.T. Nicholas was registered with Manukau and F. Anderson with Papakura.

On June 1 C Philp transferred from Manukau to Green Lane while B.F. Lee of Toowoomba transferred to Auckland to play for Newton pending approval from the New Zealand Council. Russell Harris was reinstated to Otahuhu. On June 22 F.J. Halpin (ex-Manawatu) and C. Greenwood (with clearance from Manukau) were registered with Newton, while Vincent Axman was registered with North Shore with clearance from City. W.W. Philp and Owen Noel Beer were reinstated. W. Cuff was transferred from Newton to Mount Albert. On June 29 L. Bramble (ex-Central Club in Wellington) was registered with the Newton club. W.L. Dorman transferred from Point Chevalier Senior B to Ponsonby. C.J. Montgomery was reinstated.

On July 7 Edgard Herbert Mervyn Tredrea transferred from Richmond 3rd grade to Newton.

On July 13 H.J. Collins was transferred from Manukau to Mount Albert, and W. Stockley from Ponsonby to Northcote. While F.J. Wells was registered with Ponsonby, C. Meredith with North Shore, and R. McInnarney with Mount Albert. On July 19 J. W. Stockley and F Halloran transferred from Ponsonby seniors to Northcote Senior B. On July 27 A Beyer, the former representative player from Northland, was regraded and transferred from Richmond to Ellerslie. He admitted to the committee that he had made an application to rugby to be reinstated but was refused. On August 9 T. Thompson was transferred from Manukau reserves to Ellerslie senior B. On August 17 R Jones was regraded to senior B and transferred to Otahuhu while J. Greenwood was reinstated to play for Richmond. On August 24 Roy Hardgrave was registered with Mount Albert, F Whittle to City, and Paul Meyer to North Shore.

On September 7 C. Ericksen was registered with Marist, W. Walker with Papakura (subject to a clearance from Taranaki), and G Rowlands from Newcastle in Australia to the City club, subject to approval by the New Zealand Council. A.J. Dufty was transferred from Point Chevalier second grade to City reserves.

External links

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site