1924 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1924 season of Auckland Rugby League was its 15th. Marist won the first grade championship for the first time in their history after defeating Devonport in the final by 20 points to 17 in front of a club record crowd of 17,000 at Carlaw Park.^[1] While City won the Roope Rooster competition for the 4th time.

Preceded by 1923

16th Auckland Rugby League season 1924

Succeeded by 1925

First grade competition[]

At a Management Committee meeting on 9 April, the Mangere United team, and Ellerslie clubs who had requested to enter senior teams in the First Grade competition were accepted, bringing the total number of teams to nine. The Mangere team registered its colours and green and black. The suggested format was one where after the first round the top six teams would continue while the bottom three teams would have other matches arranged for them.^[2] However all nine teams remained in the grade until the end of the season. The Mangere United team was a combined team from the Manukau and Mangere clubs. Both clubs retained their own identity in the junior grades.

On the opening day of the season all four First Grade matches were played on Carlaw Park. The junior matches on the same day were postponed as the railway workers were on strike and there was no way for the players to reach the outer suburban grounds which were used for matches in these grades.

Lou Brown transfer issue[]

Lou Brown, the New Zealand international had played for Newton Rangers in 1922 and 1923 however at the end of the season he moved to England to play for Wigan. He had been granted a release by Newton and the New Zealand Rugby League. Upon his return he wished to play for the City Rovers club and he turned out for them despite being told by the Auckland Rugby League that he was not eligible to play for them. City were adamant that he had been fully released and could play for any team. The New Zealand Rugby League Council supported the decision but Brown played anyway. He was subsequently suspended for 3 matches. City took the extraordinary step of withdrawing its team from the competition and they defaulted their Round 9 match with Mangere United.^[3] On 18 July Newton held a special board meeting and agreed to grant Brown a transfer and thus the issue was finally settled.

Manukau Rovers club switches to rugby union[]

The entire Manukau Rovers club switched to rugby union after a dispute with Auckland Rugby League. The issue arose after one of their players (King) was suspended for four playing Saturdays. He had been suspended because he was registered with the Manukau club but "suddenly joined, or played, for a Mangere team without having been granted a transfer". An opposing team had protested and King had in the meantime moved back to the Manukau club. The Manukau club took exception to the decision and refused to play any of its six teams in the following grades: Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth A, and Sixth B. It then went a step further by switching the entire club to rugby union with the Auckland Rugby Union accepting them.^[4] The Secretary of the club, C.J, Williams disputed the way the ARL had handled the matter and several of the facts in a letter to the Auckland Star. The ARL Chairman, Mr. W. Hammill replied to the letter "that the matters contained therein were hardly correct".^[5]

Goals from marks[]

At the ARL Management Committee meeting on 13 August, the Referee's Association reported that goals from marks would no longer be permitted. This rule would come into place from Saturday, 23 August onwards.

Monteith Shield (1st grade championship)[]

A record nine teams competed in the First Grade competition in 1924 with the addition of the Mangere and Ellerslie senior teams. Mangere had their colours registered as green and black. It was initially decided that after the first round the bottom three teams would drop out of the competition for the second round. At the end of the first round these teams were Mangere, and Ellerslie. However, this was later rescinded and all teams remained in the competition until the end of the season.

Monteith Shield standings[]

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Marist Old Boys	15	11	1	3	345	147	23
Devonport United	16	11	1	4	272	191	23
City Rovers	15	8	3	4	201	107	19
Athletic	15	8	2	5	257	206	18
Ponsonby United	15	8	0	7	188	144	16
Richmond Rovers	16	5	0	11	97	194	10
Mangere United	13	4	0	9	135	244	8
Newton Rangers	14	4	0	10	122	245	8
Ellerslie	13	3	1	9	82	180	7

Monteith Shield fixtures[]

Round 1[]

	26 April	Ponsonby	24–5	Mangere	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Cooke, Moore, J Shirley, Mormon, Wilfred McNeil, Ivan Littlewood Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso	[6]	Try: Lipscombe Pen: J Pai	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Gallagher

	26 April	City	17–2	Newton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:15	Try: V Thomas, C Mitchell, George Davidson, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Mike Flynn	[6]	Pen: Alan Clarke	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Les Bull

	26 April	Athletic	6–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:15	Try: Wilson Hall, Austin	[6]	Pen: William Hanlon	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: W Ripley

	26 April	Marist	10–7	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	1:30	Try: Sweeney, Carroll Con: John Lang Pen: John Lang	[7]	Try: Bryan Pen: Peebles Drop: Peebles	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: T Hill

Round 2[]

	3 May	City	20–2	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Maurice Wetherill, George Davidson, Hec McDonald, Ben Davidson Con: Mike Flynn, Sam Crewther Drop: Ben Davidson	[8]	Pen: Jim O'Brien (1 mark)	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: W Ripley

	3 May	Ponsonby	18–3	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hector Cole, Frank Delgrosso, Ivan Littlewood, Moore Con: Frank Delgrosso 3	[9]	Try: Wally Somers	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: A Saunders

	3 May	Devonport	26–16	Ellerslie	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: A Harper, Norman Veart 2, Norton, Harry Douglas, , Penalty Try Con: A Harper 2, A Godick	[9]	Try: Baker 2, Peebles, G Slater Con: Bryan Pen: H Wynn	Referee: A Gallagher

	3 May	Richmond	16–11	Mangere	Auckland Domain
	3:00	Try: Parkes 2, Campney, McMillan Con: McDonald Pen: Avery	[9]	Try: M Paul, Jim Rukutai 2 Con: L Wilson	Referee: W Murray

Round 3[]

In the match at Devonport Domain Ben Davidson was knocked unconscious and had to be taken to hospital. City had a bye the following weekend and he returned to play in Round 5.

	10 May	Marist	10–3	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: B Sweeney 2 Con: Charles Gregory 2	[10]	Try: Cooke	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Billy Murray

	10 May	Athletic	14–6	Mangere	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: George Yardley 2, Young, Graham Con: Craddock Dufty	[11]	Try: Jim Rukutai, M Paul	Referee: A C Gallagher

	10 May	Richmond	6–0	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Unknown, Campney	[12]		Attendance: 3,000 Referee: McCowatt

	10 May	Devonport	2–2	City	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Pen: Bert Laing	[13]	Pen: V Thomas	Referee: Les Bull

Round 4[]

The matches between Marist – Athletic, and Ponsonby-Ellerslie were postponed due to the poor state of the Carlaw Park fields. On the main field City were playing Marist Old Boys from Christchurch and the decision was made to protect that field for that match. Only one game was played on the number 2 field (Mangere v Newton).

	24 May	Mangere	35–10	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: L Wilson 3, J Pai, Jim Rukutai, P Tutaki, M Paul 2 Con: L Wilson 2, Moyle, M Paul	[14]	Try: Lindsay, Wally Somers Con: Clarrie Polson 2	Referee: Mincham

	24 May	Devonport	13–7	Richmond	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: G Smith, Stan Webb, Harry Douglas Con: Bert Laing Pen: Bert Laing	[14]	Try: Hyland Pen: McDonald 2	Referee: W Ripley

	24 May	Marist	PPD	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	1:45		[14]		Referee: L Neild

	24 May	Ponsonby	PPD	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	1:45		[14]		Referee: Gallagher

Round 5[]

	31 May	Devonport	6–0	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bert Laing, Alf Scott	[15]		Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Gallagher

	31 May	Marist	26–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Jim O’Brien 2, W Kirkland 2, Bill Stormont, John Lang Con: Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory 2, W Kirkland	[15]	Try: Butler	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: L Nield

	31 May	Athletic	33–23	Newton	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: Austin 2, Craddock Dufty 2, Wilson Hall 2, Woolley Con: Craddock Dufty 6	[15]	Try: Callaghan, Clarrie Polson, J Biggs, Dick Stack, J Wareing Con: Clarrie Polson 2, J Wareing 2	Referee: T Hill

	31 May	City	32–0	Ellerslie	Auckland Domain 3
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, Nelson Bass, Sam Crewther 2, Alf Townsend, Maurice Wetherill 2, George Davidson Con: Sam Crewther 3, Alf Townsend	[16]		Referee: McCowatt

Round 4 Postponed Matches[]

	3 June	Marist	8–8	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	9:30	Try: Woolley, Hec Brisbane Con: Charles Gregory	[17]	Try: B Sweeney, Ernie Herring Con: Wilson Hall	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Saunders

	3 June	Ellerslie	6–5	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 2
	9:30	Try: Brien Con: Murray	[18]	Try: J Shirley Con: J Shirley	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Taylor

Round 6[]

	21 June	Devonport	16–15	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Bert Laing, , Stan Webb, Norman Veart Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott	[19]	Try: Craddock Dufty, Penalty Try, Graham Con: Craddock Dufty 3	Referee: Saunders

	21 June	Ponsonby	14–2	City	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Frank Delgrosso, H Godley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	[20]	Drop: Nelson Bass	Referee: Les Bull

	21 June	Marist	44–3	Mangere	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Jim O'Brien 2, B Sweeney, M Sherlock, George Gardiner, Bill Stormont, Hec Brisbane, John Lang 2, Keary Con: Jim O'Brien, George Gardiner 3, Hec Brisbane, John Lang Pen: George Gardiner	[21]	Try: A Ansell

	21 June	Richmond	5–0	Ellerslie	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1	[21]

Round 7[]

	28 June	City	32–7	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Lou Brown 3, Sam Crewther, H Hawkes 2, Cargill, Ben Davidson Con: Sam Crewther 4	[22]	Try: Whitling Pen: Whitling 2	Referee: R. A. Bovaird

	28 June	Athletic	14–5	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Jack McGregor 2, Woolley, Joe Hadley Con: George Yardley	[22]	Try: Andrews Con: Hettet	Referee: Rogers

	28 June	Marist	42–3	Newton	Auckland Domain 1
	2:45	Try: W Kirkland 2, Hec Brisbane 2, George Gardiner 3, Bill Stormont, B Foss, W Sherlock 2, Jim O'Brien Con: George Gardiner 4, B Keary 2	[23]	Try: Dick Stack	Referee: T Hill

	28 June	Devonport	24–3	Mangere	Devonport Domain
	2:45	Try: C Hand, A Godick, Harry Douglas 2, Bert Laing, Norman Veart Con: Julius Laing, Alf Scott Pen: Julius Laing	[22]	Try: M Paul	Referee: W Murray

Round 8[]

	5 July	Athletic	6–6	City	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: Bill Te Whata, George Yardley	[24]	Try: Ben Davidson 2	Referee: W Murray

	5 July	Ponsonby	11–6	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Ward, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Pen: Frank Delgrosso	[25]	Try: Butler, Redwood	Referee: Les Bull

	5 July	Mangere	18–10	Ellerslie	Manukau 3
	2:45	Try: Unknown 18 points	[26]	Try: Unknown 10 points	Referee: W Ripley

	5 July	Devonport	WBD–LBD	Newton	Devonport Domain
	3:00		[26]		Referee: Nield

Round 9[]

The scheduled match between Newton and Ellerslie at Victoria Park was not reported in any newspaper. It is unclear if the match even took place. City defaulted their match against Mangere in protest at the decision to not allow Lou Brown to register for the club after returning from England.

	12 July	Marist	37–0	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: John Lang, George Gardiner, Baden Foss, B Sweeney, Hec Brisbane 2, John Stormont Con: George Gardiner 6 Pen: John Lang Drop: Baden Foss	[27]		Attendance: 10,000 Referee: S Nield

	12 July	Ponsonby	15–9	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Thomas McClymont, Ward, George Mormon Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	[28]	Try: George Yardley, Bert Avery, Len Mason	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Ripley

	12 July	Mangere	WBD–LBD	City	Victoria Park 1
	3:00		[29]		Referee: McCowatt

	12 July	Newton	?-?	Ellerslie	Victoria Park 2
	3:00		[29]		Referee: W Hill

Round 10[]

In the Athletic match with Richmond Graham was ordered off for Athletic as was McMillan for Richmond. Richmond had lost Whittington to an injury early in the second half and with the score 25–0 with 6 minutes to go they threw in the towel and the match ended.

The match between Ellerslie and Mangere at Ellerslie Reserve was not reported in the newspapers at all. It is unclear if it was played. The match reports for games at suburban grounds were typically not as well reported as the games in central Auckland.

	19 July	Marist	13–2	City	Carlaw Park 1
	2:45	Try: John Lang, Hec Brisbane, B Sweeney Con: George Gardiner 2	[30]	Pen: Sam Crewther	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Les Bull

	19 July	Athletic	25–0	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	2:45	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Len Mason 2, Craddock Dufty, Bill Te Whata, Bert Avery Con: Len Mason 2	[31]		Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Rogers

	19 July	Devonport	3–6	Ponsonby	Devonport Domain
	3:00	Try: Monteith	[32]	Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont	Referee: W Murray

	19 July	Ellerslie	?-?	Mangere	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00		[33]		Referee: Nield

Round 11[]

	9 August	Ponsonby	17–4	Richmond	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Watson 2, Joseph Peckham, Woodley, Eric Grey Con: Ivan Littlewood	[34]	Pen: McDonald 2	Referee: Les Bull

	9 August	City	35–10	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: George Davidson, Sam Crewther, Cargill, Nelson Bass 2, Lou Brown 3, Mackay Con: George Davidson, Sam Crewther 3	[35]	Try: Seagar, Jack McGregor Con: Seagar Pen: Seagar	Referee: Saunders

	9 August	Devonport	21–6	Ellerslie	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: A Harper 3, Walter Voysey, Stan Webb Con: Alf Scott 3	[36]	Pen: Peebles, Shand 2	Referee: H C Taylor

	9 August	Newton	12–11	Mangere	Victoria Park 2
	3:00	Try: Moran, Jack Keenan Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill 2	[36]	Try: T Pai, Wilson jr., Jim Rukutai Con: T Pai	Referee: R McCowatt

Round 12[]

	16 August	Ponsonby	25–10	City	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Mormon, Ivan Littlewood 2, Donovan, Joseph Peckham Con: Frank Delgrosso 2, Ivan Littlewood Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	[37]	Try: Nelson Bass, Cargill Con: George Davidson Pen: George Davidson	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Billy Murray

	16 August	Athletic	23–16	Marist	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, George Yardley, Jack McGregor Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty	[38]	Try: Johnston, B Sweeney, John Stormont, Short Con: George Gardiner 2	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: W Ripley

	16 August	Richmond	10–3	Ellerslie	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: J Swift, Campney Con: McDonald Pen: McDonald	[39]	Try: Harrison	Referee: William Mincham

	16 August	Newton	9–27	Devonport	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Moran Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill 2	[39]	Try: Alf Scott 2, J Laing, Butland, A Harper, G Smith, Unknown x 1 Con: Proctor, Unknown x 1 Pen: Tommy Taylor	Referee: Bovaird

Round 13[]

	23 August	Marist	16–10	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Gardiner 2, B Sweeney, W Kirkwood Con: George Gardiner 2	[40]	Try: Frank Delgrosso, Wilfred McNeil Con: Frank Delgrosso Pen: Frank Delgrosso	Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Les Bull

	23 August	Newton	11–5	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Arthur Mansill, Clarrie Polson, M Brown Con: Arthur Mansill	[41]	Try: Hyland Con: McDonald	Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Hill

	23 August	Devonport	32–13	Mangere	Victoria Park 1
	3:00	Try: A Harper, Alf Scott, Tommy Taylor, Proctor, L Voysey, Bert Laing Con: Alf Scott 3, , Bert Laing, Charles Hand Pen: John Laing	[41]	Try: M Paul, J Pai, L Wilson Con: M Paul, A Ansell	Referee: Lupton

	23 August	Ellerslie	10–10	City	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Crotty, Slater Con: Peebles, Shand	[42]	Try: Ruby 2 Con: George Davidson 2	Referee: McCowatt

Round 14[]

	30 August	Athletic	36–21	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Graham, Jack McGregor, Woods, Bert Avery 3 Con: Craddock Dufty 6	[43]	Try: Snedden 2, Joseph Peckham, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso	Referee: W Mincham

	30 August	Marist	19–2	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Molloy 2, Jim O'Brien, Billy Ghent, MacDonald Con: Bill Stormont Pen: Bill Stormont	[44]	Pen: Stand	Referee: W Ripley

	30 August	Mangere	5–10	Richmond	Mangere
	3:00	Try: M Paul Con: M Paul	[45]	Try: Campney 2 Con: Campney 2	Referee: Nield

	30 August	City	16–3	Newton	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Purdy, Thorburn, Lou Brown, Ben Davidson Con: Lou Brown Drop: Ben Davidson	[46]	Try: Arthur Mansill	Referee: Saunders

Round 15[]

The win by City over Devonport was a competition milestone as it was City's 100th win in First Grade. They were the first club to achieve this milestone and did so in their 15th season and 149th game.

	6 September	City	17–13	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Mitchell, George Davidson, H Hawkes Con: George Davidson 3	[47]	Try: A Harper, Walter Voysey, Norman Veart Pen: Bert Laing 2	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Nield

	6 September	Newton	26–18	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Watson, Alan Clarke, Thompson, Arthur Mansill 2, Callaghan Con: Alan Clarke, Thompson, Arthur Mansill 2	[48]	Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, C Timmins Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Bovaird

	6 September	Mangere	5–29	Marist	Mangere
	3:00	Try: Daniels Pen: Wilson	[49]	Try: John Stormont 3, W Kirkland, Johnston, Lyall Stewart 2 Con: Bill Stormont, Jim O'Brien, Charles Gregory Pen: Bill Stormont	Referee: Percy Rogers

	6 September	Ellerslie	11–7	Ponsonby	Ellerslie Reserve
	3:00	Try: Dance, Peebles, Brien Con: Shand	[49]	Try: Mormon Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	Referee: Les Bull

Round 16[]

Near full-time in the match between Marist and Devonport, Kiwi international Bill Stormont was ordered off.

In the Newton match with Ponsonby a very unusual incident took place. L Williams for the Newton team was dribbling the ball down field and when he kicked ahead to chase, the ball went over the cross bar. He ran through to 'score the try' but the referee awarded a drop goal rather than a try.

	13 September	Devonport	25–19	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Walter Voysey, Harry Douglas 2, Norman Veart, Penalty Try Con: Bert Laing 2, Alf Scott 2 Pen: Bert Laing	[50]	Try: Lyall Stewart, George Gardiner, B Sweeney, Malloy, Billy Ghent Con: George Gardiner 2	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: W Ripley

	13 September	Mangere	20–19	Athletic	Carlaw Park 2
	2:15	Try: L Wilson 2, J Pai, Rau, M Paul 2 Pen: W Lipscombe	[51]	Try: Joe Hadley, Craddock Dufty, Jack McGregor, Draffin, Winkie Con: Craddock Dufty 2	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Billy Murray

	13 September	Newton	17–12	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	2:00	Try: Watson, Clarrie Polson, Bill Walsh Con: Arthur Mansill 2 Pen: Arthur Mansill Drop: L Williams	[51]	Try: Henderson, J Shirley Con: Eric Grey 2 Pen: Eric Grey	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Hill

	13 September	City	WBD – LBD	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	2:15		[52]		Referee: Saunders

Round 17[]

It is unlikely that the Mangere v Ponsonby match took place as the Auckland representative team was playing a match against the South Auckland team in Hamilton at the same time. Many of the selected players chose to stay and play for their Auckland club teams in important matches. The team that did end up playing in the representative match featured seven players from the Ponsonby and Mangere teams and there were no reports of a match between the two sides in any newspaper.

	20 September	Devonport	47–21	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Allan Seagar 3, Harry Douglas, Bert Laing, Walter Voysey 3, G Smith, Stan Webb, A Harper Con: Bert Laing 2, Alf Scott 3, Stan Webb, J Laing	[53]	Try: Craddock Dufty 2, Weeks, C Timmins, Jack McGregor Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty	Referee: Les Bull

	20 September	Marist	34–17	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Johnson 2, W Kirkland, John Stormont, George Gardiner, Mallory, B Sweeney, Carroll Con: Charles Gregory 5	[53]	Try: K Hyland 2, William Hanlon Con: William Hanlon 3 Pen: William Hanlon	Referee: Billy Mincham

	20 September	Ellerslie	6–3	Newton	Ellerslie Reserve
	2:00	Try: O’Brien, Shane	[54]	Try: Thompson	Referee: Hill

	20 September	Mangere	?-?	Ponsonby	Manukau
	3:00		[55]		Referee: Coulam

Final[]

	27 September	Marist	20–17	Devonport	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: John Stormont, Jack Kirwan, Billy Ghent, Malloy Con: Charles Gregory 3 Pen: Charles Gregory	[1]	Try: Bert Laing, A Harper, Harry Douglas Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott Pen: Bert Laing 2	Attendance: 17,000

Two matches were postponed in Round 4 as the league decided that they wanted the #1 field in the best possible condition for the exhibition match between City Rovers and Marist Old Boys of Christchurch. The weather had been particularly poor in the lead up with the previous weekend seeing all football in Auckland cancelled. These postponed matches were unique in that they were eventually played 10 days later on a Tuesday morning at 9.30am. This would surely be one of the only times a senior match had been played on a working weekday morning in the competitions history.^[56]

There was controversy in the Round 7 match between City Rovers and Richmond as the City team fielded Lou Brown who had not been granted clearance by either Auckland Rugby League or New Zealand Rugby League. Brown had previously played for Newton and had been released to play for Wigan in England. After returning he wanted to turn out for the City club but Newton claimed that he had been released on the grounds that he would return to play for them alone. Brown was later suspended for 3 matches before rejoining the Newton team for their match against Marist.^[57]

City Rovers defaulted their Round 9 match with Mangere United after their dispute with the Auckland Rugby League when they refused to take the field.

Roope Rooster knockout competition[]

City Rovers won the Roope Rooster for the 4th time in their history, defeating Ponsonby who were attempting to win their third consecutive title, in the final by 6 points to 5.

Round 1[]

	27 September	Richmond	11–7	Ellerslie	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Hunt, Echrafft, Ray Hyland Con: William Hanlon	[58]	Try: Clarke Con: Shand Drop: Shand	Referee: Les Bull

Round 2[]

	4 October	Devonport	5–3	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: A Harper Pen: Bert Laing	[59]	Try: Jim O'Brien	Referee: Les Bull

	4 October	City	17–8	Newton	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, Ruby, H Hawkes, Lou Brown Con: Nelson Bass	[60]	Try: 2 Con: Arthur Mansill	Referee: McCowatt

	4 October	Athletic	21–2	Richmond	Carlaw Park 2
	1:45	Try: Joe Hadley, George Yardley, Bert Avery, Webb, Ernie Herring Con: Craddock Dufty 3	[61]	Drop: King	Referee: Saunders

	4 October	Ponsonby	24–5	Mangere	Carlaw Park 1
	1:45	Try: Riley 2, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley, Woodleigh 2 Con: Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Drop: Eric Grey	[60]	Try: Marshall Con: Unknown x 1	Referee: Billy Mincham

Semi finals[]

	11 October	City	29–11	Athletic	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Davidson 3, E Mackie, Sandham, Lou Brown 2 Con: Sam Crewther, Sandham 3	[62]	Try: Webb, Ernie Herring, Joe Hadley Con: Craddock Dufty	Attendance: 6,500 Referee: Billy Mincham

	11 October	Ponsonby	14–10	Devonport	Carlaw Park 2
	3:00	Try: Dempsey, Moore Con: Frank Delgrosso, Dempsey Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2	[62]	Try: G Smith, Walter Voysey Con: Bert Laing	Attendance: 6,500 Referee: McCowatt

Final[]

	18 October	City	6–5	Ponsonby	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: E Mackie, Lou Brown	[63]	Try: Bill Walsh Con: Frank Delgrosso	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Les Bull

Top try scorers and point scorers[]

The lists include points scored in the First Grade competition and the Roope Rooster. Joe Hadley of Athletic led the league in tries scored with 12, while Craddock Dufty was once again the top scorer with 91 points from 9 tries, 29 conversions and 3 penalties.

Devonport had a try and conversion unattributed in a match. While the match between Mangere United and Ellerslie won by Mangere United 18 to 10 had no points attributed to any player. It is possible that M Paul for Mangere scored more tries than the 9 he is credited with and more than the 3 goals he kicked.

Exhibition matches and lower grades[]

City Rovers played Marist of Christchurch at Carlaw Park in May and were victorious by 16 points to 9. At the end of the season Marist, who had won the First Grade Championship met City Rovers, who had won the Roope Rooster and the two teams played out a 10 all draw on Monday morning as part of the Labour Day celebrations to officially finish the season for Auckland Rugby League.

City v Marist (Christchurch)[]

	24 May	City	16–9	Marist (Christchurch)	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Sam Crewther, G Reid 2, Sutton Con: Sam Crewther 2	[64]	Try: Batchelor Con: C Fitzgerald Pen: C Fitzgerald, Brosnahan	Attendance: 10000 Referee: W Murray

City v Marist[]

	27 October	City	10–10	Marist	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Nelson Bass, Lou Brown Con: Sam Crewther Pen: E Brown	[65]	Try: Malloy, Jack Kirwan Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory	Attendance: 4000

Lower grades[]

There were 6 lower grades in 1924 if you include the Sixth Grade which was split into an A and B grade. The City Rovers third grade team won the championship undefeated and also won the knockout competition.

Grades were made of the following teams with the winning team in bold:

• Second Grade: Athletic, City Rovers, Devonport United, Ellerslie United, Kingsland Rovers, Manukau Rovers, Marist Old Boys, Newton Rangers, Otahuhu United, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers, United Suburbs
• Third Grade: Athletics, City Rovers (+ won the knockout competition), Coromandel Old Boys, Devonport United, Kingsland Rovers, Mangere, Manukau Rovers, New Lynn, Otahuhu United, Parnell, Ponsonby United, Richmond Rovers, Suburbs
• Fourth Grade: City Rovers, Devonport United, Ellerslie, Mangere, Manukau, Marist Old Boys, Newton Rangers, Parnell, Ponsonby United A, Ponsonby United B, Richmond Rovers, United Suburbs, Takapuna
• Fifth Grade: Athletics, Ellerslie United, Manukau Rovers, New Lynn, Newton Rangers, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Otahuhu Rovers, Ponsonby United, Point Chevalier, Richmond Rovers
• Sixth Grade A: Athletics A, Athletics B, City Rovers A (runner up), City Rovers B, Devonport United A, Ellerslie United, Ley Institute, Manukau Rovers, Marist Old Boys A, Marist Old Boys B, Newton Rangers A, Parnell A, Ponsonby United A, Richmond Rovers A
• Sixth Grade B: Athletics B, City Rovers B, Ellerslie United B, Manukau Rovers B, Parnell B, Richmond Rovers B (Ellerslie finished with a 12 win 0 loss season, scoring 125 points and conceding 33, they were managed by Messrs. E. Chapman, and J. Poland).

Representative fixtures[]

Ernie Asher, Edwin Fox, and Ronald MacDonald were appointed selectors for the season. Auckland played three matches against Australian Universities on 4, 7, and 14 June. In the first match Auckland defeated the University side by 15 to 7. In the second meeting Auckland again won, this time more easily by 17 points to 2. The visiting captain congratulated the Auckland team but made mention of the conditions by saying that “yours are certainly better wet day footballers than we are but this is to be expected when you realise that my club, Sydney University has not played on a wet ground since early in 1922 season”.^[66] They had their wish somewhat in the third match with much improved weather conditions and were able to come home strongly in the second half to draw the match 14–14 in front of 11,500 people.

On 26 July in front of 20,000 spectators the touring England side defeated Auckland by 24 points to 11. In the curtain-raisers Ellerslie Sixth Grade B defeated City Sixth Grade B by 5 points to 2, and City Second grade defeated their Richmond counterparts by 8 points to 7. On the Wednesday following, an Auckland provincial team featuring Auckland players from the greater region including the Waikato region played England and lost 28 to 13 in front of 7,000 spectators.

On 20 September an Auckland team played South Auckland in Hamilton and were defeated easily by 21 points to 5. The team was supposed to be a full strength Auckland team but as the club competition was entering its key stages many of the first team players remained behind to play for their clubs. As a result, many players from the struggling Newton team made the trip to Hamilton.^[67]

Auckland v Australian Universities[]

	4 June	Auckland	15–7	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: George Davidson, Ivan Littlewood 2 Con: Craddock Dufty, Bert Laing Pen: Craddock Dufty	[68]	Try: Barry Con: Ryan Pen: Ryan	Attendance: 7000 Referee: Neild

Auckland v Australian Universities[]

	7 June	Auckland	17–2	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson, McNeil, Nelson Bass Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty	[69]	Pen: Ryan	Attendance: 4000 Referee: A Gallagher

1924 Auckland v Australian Universities[]

Frank Delgrosso had to come on the replace George Davidson after he collided badly with teammate Clarrie Polson when they were both going after the ball. Polson received a bad cut over his eye and he also later had to retire and was replaced by Billy Ghent.

	14 June	Auckland	14–4	Australian Universities	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bert Laing 2, Clarrie Polson, Harry Douglas Con: Maurice Wetherill	[70]	Try: Ryan 2, Frank O'Rourke, Les Halberstater Con: Dunworth	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: W Ripley

Probables v Possibles trial match[]

	14 June	Probables	9–14	Possibles	Carlaw Park 1
	1:30	Try: Paul, Webb, Norman Veart	[71]	Try: Hec Brisbane, Peebles 2, Ernie Herring Con: Charles Gregory	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: W. L. Bull

Auckland B v Hamilton[]

Wilson Hall broke his collar bone during the second half and had to leave the field.

	16 July	Auckland B	28–18	Hamilton	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Bill Te Whata 2, Shirley 2, Paul, Ivan Littlewood Con: Wilson Hall, Charles Gregory 2 Pen: Shirley, Len Mason	[72]	Try: McGerty, Hemingway Con: Dufty 2 Pen: Dufty 3 Drop: Hemingway	Referee: Mincham

Auckland v England[]

There is film footage of the match taken by Tarr Film and archived on the New Zealand Archive of Film, television and Sound Ngā Taonga website.^[73] In scoring on halftime Ben Davidson was knocked out. At the start of the second half Auckland attempted to replace him with Lou Brown who ran out on to the field. However the England captain when seeing this objected as replacements were forbidden in the second half of rugby league matches at this time. Auckland were forced to play with 12 players for a time until Davidson recovered well enough to return to the field.

	26 July	Auckland	11–24	England	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Ben Davidson 2, Nelson Bass Pen: Craddock Dufty	[74]	Try: Johnny Ring 2, Frank Evans, Jack Bennett, Charlie Carr, Stan Whitty Con: Jonty Parkin 2, Ernest Knapman Pen: Jonty Parkin	Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Les Bull

Auckland Province v England[]

	30 July	Auckland Province	13–28	England	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Hec Brisbane, B Johnston, Frank Delgrosso Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty	[75]	Try: Ben Gronow, Sid Rix, Tommy Howley 2, Joe Darwell, Jack Price Con: Ben Gronow 4 Pen: Ben Gronow	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: L Neild

Auckland B v Lower Waikato[]

	20 August	Auckland B	15–14	Lower Waikato	Carlaw Park 1
	3:00	Try: Shirley, H Hawkes, McDonald Con: Mansell 2	[76]	Try: Hall, W Jackson, Welch, Alman Con: Hall	Referee: Bovaird

Auckland v South Auckland (Waikato)[]

	20 September	South Auckland (Waikato)	21–5	Auckland	Steele Park, Hamilton
	3:00	Try: Dufty, Hemingway, Stevenson, Raynor, Allen Con: Dufty, Raynor Pen: Dufty	[67]	Try: Lou Brown Pen: Alan Clarke	Referee: W Waring

Junior representative fixtures[]

	Date		Score		Score	Venue
Junior representative match	30 Aug [77]	Auckland Juniors	14	Hamilton Juniors	8	Carlaw Park # 1
Junior representative match	4 Oct [78]	Hamilton Juniors	8	Auckland Juniors	17	Steele Park, Hamilton

Auckland representative matches played and scorers[]

No	Name	Club Team	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	Points
1	Craddock Dufty	Athletic	4	0	4	3	14
2	Ben Davidson	City Rovers	4	3	0	0	9
3	Bert Laing	Devonport United	2	2	1	0	8
4	Ivan Littlewood	Ponsonby United	3	2	0	0	6
5	Nelson Bass	City Rovers	4	2	0	0	6
5	George Davidson	City Rovers	3	1	0	0	3
5	Clarrie Polson	Newton Rangers	3	1	0	0	3
8	Wilfred McNeil	Ponsonby United	3	1	0	0	3
8	Harry Douglas	Devonport United	1	1	0	0	3
10	Lou Brown	City Rovers	1	1	0	0	3
11	Maurice Wetherill	City Rovers	5	0	1	0	2
11	Alan Clarke	Newton Rangers	1	0	0	1	2
13	A Garratt	Devonport United	1	0	0	0	0
14	Jim O'Brien	Marist Old Boys	2	0	0	0	0
14	Alf Townsend	City Rovers	3	0	0	0	0
14	Bill Stormont	Marist Old Boys	2	0	0	0	0
14	Hec McDonald	City Rovers	3	0	0	0	0
14	Bert Avery	Athletic	2	0	0	0	0
14	Frank Delgrosso	Ponsonby United	3	0	0	0	0
14		Devonport United	2	0	0	0	0
14	Billy Ghent	Marist Old Boys	1	0	0	0	0
14	Charles Gregory	Marist Old Boys	1	0	0	0	0
23	Hec Brisbane	Marist Old Boys	1	0	0	0	0
24	Ernie Herring	Athletic	1	0	0	0	0
24	Wally Somers	Newton Rangers	1	0	0	0	0
24	George Gardiner	Marist Old Boys	1	0	0	0	0
24	S Crewther	City Rovers	1	0	0	0	0
24	T Pai	Mangere United	1	0	0	0	0
24	G Mormon	Ponsonby United	1	0	0	0	0
24	Lipscombe	Mangere United	1	0	0	0	0
24	J Pai	Mangere United	1	0	0	0	0
24	Mackie	City Rovers	1	0	0	0	0
24	W Shirley	Ponsonby United	1	0	0	0	0

References[]

External links[]

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site