1911 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1911 Auckland Rugby League season was the second full organised club season in Auckland following the 1910 Auckland Rugby League season. City Rovers won the title again after winning it in the competitions inaugural year.

The club season commenced on 20 May, with the start of the competition for the Myers Cup. City Rovers were crowned champions after defeating Ponsonby United in the final 36–15 which was required due to both teams being within 2 points of each other as the competition entered its closing stages. The competition at the time and for decades to come often did not complete full round robins. When a team had an unassailable lead over their nearest rivals the competition was often concluded at that point. Ponsonby and City had already met twice during the season but rather than conclude the round robin with round 10. In round 10 Ponsonby would have had a bye and City would likely have gained an easy win over wooden spooners, Eden Ramblers so the Auckland Rugby League decided to have the two top teams play off for the title a week early rather than prolong the competition.

The City side featured Albert Asher, Alex Stanaway, Jim Rukutai, and Bob Mitchell, while Ponsonby had Charlie Savory, Charles Dunning and Arthur Carlaw.

Venues

Unlike in 1910 when only two venues were used, there were 5 venues used. They were Victoria Park, Takapuna Racecourse, 'Avondale', Auckland Domain, and Eden Park (which was the venue for the club final between City Rovers and Ponsonby United.

Eden Ramblers formed

The senior competition saw the addition of the Eden Ramblers who had been formed in April. A meeting was held at the Avondale Public Hall on Wednesday 26 April with Mr John Bollard, MP presiding over it. He was elected president and chairman, and the name Eden Ramblers was chosen along with the colours or green and gold. The following officers were selected: Hon Secretary, Mr B Boone; Management Committee, W. A. Cummings, J Eddoes, W Fairweather, M Morrow, and J Denyer. The membership was close to 50 and they were to begin their training for the season ahead on 29 April with a join practice with Ponsonby at Victoria Park.[1]

Rugby union converts

At the start of the season George Gillett, Arthur Francis, Alan Blakey, and Frank Morse all switched codes. Gillett and Francis had both played for the All Blacks for several seasons and were joining the Newton Rangers along with Blakey who was a well known Auckland rugby player. Morse was joining the City Rovers. Gillett, Francis, and Morse would all go on to represent the Kiwi's.[2]

Representative season

It featured a representative program in August and September where Auckland played nine matches including two against the New Zealand side. They won eight and lost one. Their first match saw them lose to New Zealand however they rattled off consecutive wins against New Zealand (6 weeks later), Wellington, Lower Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay Māori, and a Country team from Waihi & Rotorua.

Myers Cup (first grade championship)

Eighteen regular season matches were played before the final on 16 September where City Rovers defeated Ponsonby United 36 to 15 to retain the title which they had won in 1910.

Final standings

Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
City Rovers	8	7	0	1	164	70	14
Ponsonby United	9	7	0	2	205	117	14
North Shore Albions	7	3	0	4	80	68	6
Newton Rangers	7	1	0	6	51	138	2
Eden Ramblers	7	1	0	6	42	149	2

The second round did not feature the final round of matches hence Ponsonby playing an extra match (when they were due to have a bye), while the table also includes the final played between City and Ponsonby.

Round 1

	20 May	Ponsonby	19–3	Newton	Victoria park
		Try: Charlie Savory, S Cole, C Dillamore, Sid Riley 2 Con: S Cole 2	[3]	Try: Sainsbury	Referee: Jaggs

	20 May	City	13–3	North Shore	Victoria Park
		Try: William Moeki, Jim Rukutai 2 Con: Alex Stanaway 2	[4]	Try: Haddon	Referee: W Pitts

Round 2

	27 May	City	16–3	Newton	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: Frank Morse 2, Sid Kean, George Harrison Con: Frank Morse Pen: Albert Asher	[5]	Try: Arthur Francis	Referee: R Oliphant

	27 May	Ponsonby	49–10	Eden	Victoria Park
		Try: William Cossey, Harry Fricker, Charles Dunning 2, Charles Savory, Ronald MacDonald, + 5 unattributed tries Con: C Dillamore, S Cole 3, + 4 unattributed conversions	[5]	Try: Harris, + 1 unattributed try Con: Brett, + 1 unattributed conversion

Round 3

	3 June	Ponsonby	30–11	City	Victoria Park
		Try: Nicholson, Henry Bettis, Charles Savory 2, Arthur Carlaw, Ronald MacDonald, Houghton, Alf Chorley Con: S Cole 2, C Dillamore	[6]	Try: William Moeki, Albert Asher, Frank Morse Con: Frank Morse	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: R Oliphant

	3 June	North Shore	30–6	Eden	Takapuna Racecourse
	3:00	Try: Jim Griffen 2, George Seagar 3, Fraser, Frederick Gladding, Stan Weston Con: Frederick Gladding, Alfred Jackson Pen: Winters	[7]	Try: Don Kenealy, Cummings	Referee: Jaggs

Round 4

	17 June	Newton	13–8	Eden	Victoria Park
		Try: Short, Charles Linkhorn, + 1 unattributed try Con: Jim Bennett 2	[8]	Try: Harris 2 Pen: Don Kenealy

	17 June	Ponsonby	22–6	North Shore	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: C Dillamore 3, Arthur Carlaw, Nicholson, Harry Fricker Con: McGregor 2	[9]	Try: Bailey, Jim Griffen	Referee: R Oliphant

Round 5

	24 June	City	20–4	Eden	Victoria Park
		Try: Robinson, Albert Asher, Julian, George Hunt Con: Albert Asher 3 Pen: Albert Asher	[10]	Pen: Don Kenealy 2	Referee: Cunningham

	24 June	North Shore	17–2	Newton	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: Frederick Gladding, Stan Walters 2, Ernie Bailey, Alfred Jackson Con: Jim Griffen	[11]	Pen: Jim Bennett	Referee: Pitts

Round 6

	1 July	North Shore	3–11	City	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: Frederick Gladding	[12]	Try: Robinson 2, Phillips Con: Albert Asher	Referee: Bob Oliphant

	1 July	Ponsonby	32–13	Newton	Victoria Park
		Try: C Dillamore 2, Arthur Carlaw 2, Sid Riley, Houghton Con: C Dillamore 3, S Cole 2 Pen: C Dillamore	[13]	Try: Jim Bennett 3 Con: Jim Bennett 2	Referee: Harker

Round 7

	8 July	City	32–12	Newton	Victoria Park
		Try: Wilson, Albert Asher, Harold Denize 2, Harry Childs, Bob Mitchell, Phillips, Warner Con: Albert Asher 4	[14]	Try: Marshall, Len Farrant Con: Len Farrant Pen: Jim Bennett 2	Referee: Bob Oliphant

	8 July	Ponsonby	24–0	Eden	Avondale
		Try: Houghton, C Dillamore 3, Arthur Carlaw, Henry Bettis Con: Houghton, Arthur Carlaw, S Cole	[15]		Referee: Cunningham

Round 8

	15 July	City	25–0	Ponsonby	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: William Moeki, George Hunt 2, Bob Mitchell, Robinson, Phillips 2 Con: Albert Asher, Phillips	[16]

	15 July	North Shore	8–0	Eden	Auckland Domain
		Try: Farquharson, Stan Walters Con: Frederick Gladding	[17]

Round 9

	22 July	Ponsonby	14–13	North Shore	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: Arthur Carlaw 2, C Dillamore, H Bettis Con: S Cole	[18]	Try: Stan Walters, William Wynyard, Billy Harrison Con: Frederick Gladding Pen: Frederick Gladding	Referee: Cunningham

	22 July	Eden	14–5	Newton	Auckland Domain
		Try: Don Kenealy, Harris 2, Fairweather Pen: Don Kenealy	[19]	Try: Little Con: Len Farrant	Referee: Moran

Final

	16 September	City	36–15	Ponsonby	Eden Park
		Try: Jim Rukutai 2, Albert Asher, Bob Mitchell 2, Alex Stanaway, William Moeki, G Hunt Con: Albert Asher 6	[20]	Try: Charles Dunning 2, T Wilson Con: S Cole 3

Top scorers

The Ponsonby v Eden match in Round 2 had 23 unattributed points for Ponsonby (5 tries and 4 goals) and 5 for Eden (1 try and 1 goal), while the Round 4 match between Newton and Eden saw a try to Newton unattributed. As such the following lists are likely to omit tries and points for players from those sides.

Top try scorers No Player Team Tries 1 C Dillamore Ponsonby United 10 2 Arthur Carlaw Ponsonby United 7 3 Harris Eden Ramblers 5 4 Charlie Savory Ponsonby United 4 4 Charles Dunning Ponsonby United 4 4 Albert Asher City Rovers 4 4 Phillips City Rovers 4 4 William Moeki City Rovers 4 4 Jim Rukutai City Rovers 4 4 E Robinson City Rovers 4 4 Bob Mitchell City Rovers 4 4 George Hunt City Rovers 4

Top point scorers No Player Team Points   1 Albert Asher City Rovers 46 (4t,15c,2p)   2 C Dillamore Ponsonby United 42 (10t,5c,1p)   3 S Cole Ponsonby United 31 (1t,14c)   4 Arthur Carlaw Ponsonby United 23 (7t,1c)   4 Joe Bennett Newton Rangers 23 (3t,4c,3p)   6 Frederick Gladding North Shore Albions 17 (3t,3c,1p)   7 Harris Eden Ramblers 15 (5t)

Lower grades

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

• First Juniors: City Rovers, North Shore Albions, Northcote & Birkenhead Rambers, Ponsonby United
• Third Juniors: City Rovers, Eden Ramblers, North Shore Albions, Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers, Ponsonby United

Representative season

The season began with a match against the New Zealand team which was about to depart for its Australian tour. The touring side won by two points but when they returned from their tour they played again only this time Auckland were the victors by 11 points to 3.

Auckland v New Zealand

	10 June	Auckland	14–16	New Zealand	Takapuna Racecourse
		Try: George Harrison, Harry Fricker, Joe Bennett 2 Con: S Cole	[21]	Try: George Gillett, Roy Siddells, Ernie Buckland, Dave Mason Con: Arthur Francis 2	Referee: R Oliphant

Auckland v New Zealand

	29 July	Auckland	11–3	New Zealand	Takapuna Racecourse
	3:00	Try: J Kay, Arthur Carlaw, Stan Walters Con: Albert Asher	[22]	Try: Ernie Buckland	Referee: Bob Oliphant

Auckland v Wellington (Northern Union Cup)

	5 Aug	Auckland	16–8	Wellington	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: J Kay 2, Albert Asher, Jim Bennett Con: Frank Morse Pen: Frank Morse	[23]	Try: Bob Mitchell 2 Con: A Seeling	Attendance: 5000 Referee: Cunningham

Auckland v Lower Waikato

J Kay had the distinction of playing for Auckland one week, and then turning out against them the following week for Waikato. Occasionally players from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions would represent Auckland. Kay played 3 matches for Auckland in this season. The Auckland Star credited a conversion to Jim Griffen while the New Zealand Herald reported that Charles Dunning kicked all 3 goals. As the Auckland Star's match report was more detailed that is the record reported below.

	12 August	Lower Waikato	22–36	Auckland	Frankton, Hamilton
		Try: J Kay 2, F Hall, R Gleeson Con: Reg Sprague 3 Pen: Reg Sprague Drop: Hall	[24]	Try: E Robinson, Bob Mitchell, Joe Bennett 4, Arthur Carlaw, George Seagar, Alfred Jackson 2 Con: Charles Dunning 2, Jim Griffen	Attendance: 400 Referee: Cunningham

Auckland v Hawke's Bay (Northern Union C.C.)

	19 August	Auckland	17–13	Hawke’s Bay	Victoria Park
	3:00	Try: Arthur Carlaw, George Seagar 2, Jim Griffen, Alf Chorley Con: Charles Dunning Pen: Charles Dunning	[25]	Try: Jim Johnson, G Jackson, George Frater Con: G Jackson Drop: G Jackson	Attendance: 3000 Referee: W Jaggs

Auckland v Nelson (Northern Union C.C.)

For Nelson Dave Mason scored a try, while Oscar Cederman who was later killed in action in Belgium during World War I scored a try and kicked a conversion.

	26 August	Auckland	36–12	Nelson	Victoria Park
		Try: Frank Morse, Jim Rukutai 3, Reg Sprague, Jim Griffen 2, Harry Fricker, George Harrison, Stan Walters Con: Charles Dunning 3	[26]	Try: Oscar Cederman 2 Con: Oscar Cederman 2 Pen: Dave Mason	Attendance: 5,000 Referee: McCarthy

Auckland v Taranaki (Northern Union C.C.)

	2 September	Auckland	26–15	Taranaki	Victoria Park
		Try: Albert Asher 2, Jim Rukutai, Harry Fricker 2, Bob Mitchell Con: Charles Dunning 4	[27]	Try: P Kyle, C Moir, Dan Twohill Con: Arthur Hardgrave 3	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Matt Hooper

Auckland v Hawke's Bay Māori

	9 September	Auckland	22–10	Hawke’s Bay Māori	Takapuna Racecourse
	3:00	Try: Joe Bennett 2, G Hunt, Jim Griffen, Albert Asher, C Linkhorn Con: Charles Dunning 2	[28]	Try: W Paewai, Hopi Kani Con: W Hiha Pen: W Hiha	Attendance: 500 Referee: Cunningham

Auckland v Country (Waihi & Rotorua)

A month after Auckland's match with Hawke's Bay Māori an exhibition game was arranged in Waihi against a 'Country' team from that area, including Rotorua players. It was the first ever rugby league match and was played on the Waihi Domain in front of a "fairly large crowd". Despite a few regular forwards not making the trip Auckland still took a strong side to Waihi and ran out winners 20-10. For the Country side Rukingi Reke kicked 2 conversions.

	14 October	Country	10-20	Auckland	Waihi Domain
	3:00	Try: F Hall, St George Con: Rukingi Reke 2	[29]	Try: Albert Asher 2, E Robinson, Frank Morse, Henry Bettis, George Seagar Con: 1 x unknown	Referee: R. Oliphant

Auckland representative matches played and scorers

Rank	Name	Club	Play	Tries	Con	Pen	Mark	Points
1	Joe Bennett	Newton Rangers	7	9	-	-	-	27
2	Charles Dunning	Ponsonby United	6	-	12	1	-	26
3	Albert Asher	City Rovers	7	6	1	-	-	20
4	Jim Griffen	North Shore Albions	8	4	1	-	-	14
5	Harry Fricker	Ponsonby United	7	4	-	-	-	12
5	Jim Rukutai	Manukau Rovers	7	4	-	-	-	12
7	Frank Morse	City Rovers	5	2	1	1	-	10
7	George Seagar	North Shore Albions	4	2	2	-	-	10
9	Arthur Carlaw	Ponsonby United	6	3	-	-	-	9
9	J Kay	Komakorau (Ngaruawahia Comp.)	3	3	-	-	-	9
11	Alfred Jackson	North Shore Albions	9	2	-	-	-	6
11	Bob Mitchell	City Rovers	6	2	-	-	-	6
11	George Harrison	North Shore Albions	2	2	-	-	-	6
11	Stan Walters	North Shore Albions	2	2	-	-	-	6
11	E Robinson	City Rovers	7	2	-	-	-	6
16	Alf Chorley	Ponsonby United	3	1	-	-	-	3
16	C Linkhorn	Newton Rangers	2	1	-	-	-	3
16	Reg Sprague	Lower Waikato (Ngaruawahia)	1	1	-	-	-	3
16	George Hunt	City Rovers	2	1	-	-	-	3
20	S Cole	Ponsonby United	1	-	1	-	-	2
21	Harry Childs	City Rovers	7	-	-	-	-	-
21	C Dillamore	Ponsonby United	2	-	-	-	-	-
21	Don Kenealy	Eden Ramblers	3	-	-	-	-	-
21	Stan Weston	North Shore Albions	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	S Houghton	Ponsonby United	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	J Cummings	Eden Ramblers	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	J O’Sullivan	City Rovers	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	Ernie Asher	City Rovers	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	Ronald MacDonald	North Shore Albions	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	Roy Denize	City Rovers	1	-	-	-	-	-
21	Henry Bettis	Ponsonby United	1	-	-	-	-	-

References

1. "Eden Ramblers Club". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14666). 28 April 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
2. "None". Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 124. 26 May 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
3. "Ponsonby v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (120). 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
4. "City v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (120). 22 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
5. "Newton v City". Auckland Star. XLII (126). 29 May 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
6. "Ponsonby United v City Rovers". Auckland Star. XLII (132). 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
7. "North Shore v Eden Ramblers". Auckland Star. XLII (132). 5 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
8. "Newton v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (144). 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
9. "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (144). 19 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
10. "City v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (150). 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
11. "North Shore Albions v Newton Rangers". Auckland Star. XLII (150). 26 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
12. "City v North Shore/City's Tough Tussle". Auckland Star. XLII (156). 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
13. "Ponsonby v Newton/Walk Over for Ponsonby". Auckland Star. XLII (156). 3 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
14. "City v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (162). 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
15. "Ponsonby v Eden". Auckland Star. XLII (162). 10 July 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
16. "City v Ponsonby". Auckland Star. XLII (168). 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
17. "Eden v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (168). 17 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
18. "Ponsonby v North Shore". Auckland Star. XLII (174). 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
19. "Eden v Newton". Auckland Star. XLII (174). 24 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
20. "Senior Championship/Won by City Rovers". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14788). 18 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
21. "New Zealand v Auckland/Win for Dominion Team". Auckland Star. XLII (138). 12 June 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
22. "New Zealand v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (180). 31 July 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
23. "First Challenge Match/Wellington v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (186). 7 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
24. "Auckland v Lower Waikato". Auckland Star. XLII (192). 14 August 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
25. "Auckland Retains the Cup/Hawke's Bay Beaten/An Exciting Contest". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (14764). 21 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
26. "Auckland Win Again/Victory Over Nelson". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (147680). 28 August 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
27. "Interprovincial Cup/Auckland Beats Taranaki/A Record Attendance". The New Zealand Herald. XLVIII (147686). 4 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
28. "Hawke's Bay Natives v Auckland". Auckland Star. XLII (216). 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
29. "Northern Union Game/Auckland V. The Country". Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 246. 11 September 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2019.

External links

• Auckland Rugby League Official Site