The 1922 Auckland Rugby League was the 14th in its history. There were 68 teams playing across the various grades. City Rovers won the first grade championship for the 5th time, with Ponsonby winning the Roope Rooster for the 2nd time. City Rovers also defended the Challenge Shield, warding off efforts from Petone, Tongariro, and Huntly to lift it from them. Bill Davidson set a record for points scored in an Auckland club rugby league season with 116 for City Rovers. He and his brothers Ben and George between them scored 186 of City Rover's 339 points which was also a competition record for a team in a single season. City scored a further 19 points in the Roope Rooster competition and 85 points in their 3 Challenge Shield matches for 443 points in all official games.
It was an incredibly busy year for the Auckland representative team. They played more matches than some club teams had played in earlier seasons with ten matches in total. There was also an Auckland Provincial team match against New South Wales, and one Auckland B fixture with the team making the trip down to Cambridge to play the local side. Bill Davidson also led the representative team in scoring with 37 points.
Auckland rugby league news
Club teams by grade participation
| Team | 1st Grade | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | 6th Grade A | 6th Grade B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Rovers | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Richmond Rovers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Devonport United | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Newton Rangers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Ponsonby United | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Maritime | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Manukau Rovers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Marist Old Boys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Kingsland Rovers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Ellerslie United | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Otahuhu Rovers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Parnell | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Fire Brigade | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ihumātao | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Māngere Rangers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Point Chevalier | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Coromandel Old Boys | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Takapuna | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 63 |
Junior Management Committee
The junior management committee elected for the season was Lewis Binns, J.S. White, K. Lippiatt, G.J. Flynn, W. Baskett, William Mincham, O.O. Riley, D.C. Adamson, W.E. Frost, Bill Davidson (Hon. Sec), A. Freeman (Chairman), G.H. Seagar, A.H. Te Mete, T.B. Carpenter, W. Dowle, G.F. Burgess, J. Curtis, F. Cleal, W. Boag, F. Kennedy.
Carlaw Park
At a pre-season meeting of the management committee it was discussed that Carlaw Park needed more 'modern equipment', and it was decided that "the establishment of more modern methods of dealing with the turf and the purchase of more efficient machinery shall be an early charge on the new season's funds".[1] Sufficient money was made from gates at club and rep fixtures at Carlaw Park and the Auckland Domain to begin improvements on the ground at the conclusion of the season.
New clubs and name changes
Maritime to Athletic
The Maritime club changed their name to 'Athletic'. Their club colours were also changed from red, white and blue to royal blue with a gold band. In 1926 they were to change their name again to Grafton Athletic. This was not to be confused with Grafton Athletic who had existed as a team from 1914 to 1920 under the leadership of Karl Ifwersen and were presently playing under the name of 'Fire Brigade'.
Richmond promoted to 1st grade
Richmond Rovers applied for entry into the Senior A Grade competition and this was approved. This made the competition an even 8 teams meaning 4 matches per round and no byes. Unlike most previous seasons there were no byes, no defaults, and no postponed matches meaning 56 matches were played in total, easily the most in the competitions history. Richmond would go on to finish 7th with 3 wins and 11 losses.
Ihumātao club enter
On April 4 the ARL management committee reported that they had accepted the application of a new club called the "Central Mangere Club", and they would enter a team in the second grade. The team was however exclusively named "Ihumata" for their existence and were ostensibly a Māori football side. It was a misspelling of their area's Māori name and was corrected at a later date to Ihumātao. They were based in the Ihumātao area of Māngere and played most of their home games at the Mangere ground further towards the east. They only survived for two seasons with it likely that many of their players began playing for the preexisting Māngere United League Football Club such as Paul and Wilson junior.[2]
Coromandel Old Boys join
On February 15 the Auckland Rugby League held their weekly management committee meeting and said that "affiliation was granted to a new third grade club to be called Coromandel Old Boys, with the colours red, white, and blue".[3] a Thames Old Boys team had existed from 1915 to 1920 but this team appears to have had no serious links to the Coromandel Old Boys side. The Coromandel team fielded a third grade side only from 1922 to 1925 before withdrawing from the competition.
George Davidson's return
George Davidson played for Maritime (now named Athletic) in the 1919 season but had missed most of the 1920 and 1921 seasons as he was training for and competing at the Antwerp Olympics where he came 5th in the 200m final. He stated that over those two seasons he had only played for Maritime on two or three occasions as he was seeking a transfer to the City Rovers where his two brothers Bill and Ben played. Athletic were denying his request and Davidson appealed to the league who then asked the Athletics club to reconsider his request "favourably". He would eventually have his transfer to City approved.
Point Chevalier
Point Chevalier secured the use of Richard and Elizabeth Walker's paddock at the bottom of Humariri Street as their home ground. It has since become Walker Park where they are to this day located. In the same season they bought jerseys from George Court & Co. Ltd. In 1925 a shed was built at Walker Park with volunteer labour.
Monteith Shield (1st grade championship)
Monteith Shield standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Rovers | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 339 | 157 | 22 |
| Ponsonby United | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 205 | 169 | 20 |
| Marist Old Boys | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 258 | 192 | 19 |
| Devonport United | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 223 | 194 | 15 |
| Newton Rangers | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 197 | 219 | 13 |
| Athletic | 14 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 242 | 208 | 12 |
| Richmond Rovers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 141 | 295 | 6 |
| Fire Brigade | 14 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 143 | 313 | 5 |
Monteith Shield fixtures
Round 1
Peter Irwin James Francis Hing, better known as James Hing, or later Sonny Hing scored a try for Ponsonby. He had previously played for Marist and would later coach the Point Chevalier premier side in the 1930s. He was the son of Charles A'Hing and Margaret Mary Irwin and was one of the first ever rugby league players in New Zealand with Chinese ancestry along with Arthur Singe.
| 22 April | Ponsonby | 15–10 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: James Hing, William Southernwood, George Mormon Con: Dougie McGregor, W Hanlon Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [4] | Try: Clarrie Polson 2 Con: Clarrie Polson Pen: Clarrie Polson | Attendance: 4,000 Referee: A Ball |
| 22 April | Marist | 19–6 | Fire Brigade | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bill Stormont 2, John Lang, Arthur Singe, Percy Gallagher Con: Billy Ghent, Arthur Singe | [5] | Try: John Wareing, Unknown x 1 | Attendance: 4000 Referee: William Mincham |
| 22 April | Devonport | 17–32 | City | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Johnston, Harry Douglas, Neville St George 2, Alf Scott Pen: Neville St George | [6] | Try: Bert Laing, Bill Davidson 2, Jack Keenan, Alf Townsend, George Paki, Unknown x 1 Con: Bert Laing, Bill Davidson 3 | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
| 22 April | Richmond | 2–14 | Athletic | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Pen: Henderson | [7] | Try: Eric Grey 2, Hall, George Yardley Con: George Yardley | Referee: T Neill |
Round 2
Lou Brown debuted for Newton aged just 17 having already played 2 seasons of senior rugby in the Waikato. He would go on to have a remarkable career being a prolific try scorer for every team he played for which included Newton (12), Wigan (106), City (72), Halifax (33), York (77), Bordeaux, Auckland (18), North Island (4), Auckland Māori (4), Other Nationalities (5), and New Zealand (22). In the match between Athletic and Ponsonby Eric Grey had a highly unusual collection of points after he scored a try, and kicked a conversion, a penalty, a goal from a mark, and a drop goal. Bert Laing transferred to Devonport during the week and had the unusual distinction of scoring against a team and then for a team in the space of a week.
| 29 April | Athletic | 23–5 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Eric Grey, Ivan Littlewood, George Yardley 2, Bert Avery Con: Eric Grey Pen: Eric Grey & 1 mark Drop: Eric Grey | [8] | Try: Joe Meadows Pen: Dougie McGregor | Attendance: 5000 Referee: Billy Murray |
| 29 April | City | 48–10 | Fire Brigade | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Ben Davidson 2, Bill Davidson, Harry Francis, F Wilson 2, Ray Harley, Jack Keenan 2, Maurice Wetherill 2, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson 2, Harry Francis, Maurice Wetherill 2 Pen: Unknown x 1 | [9] | Try: Charles Woolley, J O'Brien Con: G Cargill Pen: John Wareing | Referee: T Hill |
| 29 April | Devonport | 17–17 | Newton | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bert Laing 2, Jack Miller Con: Charles Hand 2 Pen: Charles Hand 2 | [10] | Try: Walter Voysey, Lou Brown 2, J Sorenson, Leo Brockliss Con: Clarrie Polson | Attendance: 700 Referee: William Mincham |
| 29 April | Richmond | 11–25 | Marist | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Little 3 Pen: Butler | [11] | Try: Stevens, Lawson, Percy Gallagher 2, Arthur Singe, Laurie Cadman 2 Con: Stevens, Lawson | Referee: Frank Thompson |
Round 3
Stan Webb debuted for North Shore joining his older brother Clarence in the side. Stan would go on to represent Auckland in the same season and New Zealand in 1925. He predominantly played in the halfback position but also played at centre and fullback at times.
| 6 May | Newton | 20–16 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: J Sorenson 2, Wally Somers, Herbert Biggs Con: Clarrie Polson 3 Pen: Clarrie Polson | [12] | Try: Ivan Littlewood 2, Eric Grey, Craddock Dufty Con: Eric Grey, Craddock Dufty | Attendance: 5000 Referee: Archie Ferguson |
| 6 May | Marist | 14–6 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Nelson Bass, Percy Gallagher, George Duane, John Lang Con: Arthur Singe | [13] | Try: James Hing, W Hanlon | Referee: Len Farrant |
| 6 May | Richmond | 5–22 | City | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Little Pen: Unknown x 1 | [14] | Try: Jack Keenan 3, George Paki Con: Bill Davidson 2 Pen: Bill Davidson 2, Maurice Wetherill |
| 6 May | Devonport | 18–7 | Fire Brigade | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Charles Hand, Cyril Wheeler, Clarence Webb, Calderwood Con: Charles Hand, Bert Laing Pen: Charles Hand | [15] | Try: Ripley Con: John Wareing Pen: John Wareing | Referee: A Ball |
Round 4
| 13 May | Marist | 21–20 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Frank Turner, Percy Gallagher 2, George Duane, Laurie Cadman Con: John Lang, A Nelson Pen: Billy Ghent | [16] | Try: Ivan Littlewood, Jack McGregor, Eric Grey Con: Mike Flynn 2 Pen: Mike Flynn, Craddock Dufty | Attendance: 5500 Referee: Bert Gallagher |
| 13 May | Ponsonby | 15–10 | City | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: James (Sonny) Hing, Frank Delgrosso, R Cook Con: Thomas McClymont 3 | [17] | Try: Ben Davidson, F Wilson Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson | Referee: Walter Ripley |
| 13 May | Devonport | 24–10 | Richmond | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Alf Scott, Jack Miller, Charles Hand, Clarke, Cyril Wheeler, Clarence Webb Con: Charles Hand, Tommy Taylor Pen: Charles Hand | [18] | Try: F C Blakey, McFarlane Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll, McFarlane | Referee: T Hill |
| 13 May | Newton | 16–8 | Fire Brigade | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Unknown x 4 Con: Unknown x 2 | [19] | Try: Lovett, Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1 | Referee: Frank Thompson |
Round 5
| 27 May | City | 20–5 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson, Penalty Try, Jack Keenan, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson 4 | [20] | Try: Halliday Con: Eric Grey | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
| 27 May | Marist | 15–5 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bill Stormont, Percy Gallagher, Billy Ghent Con: Arthur Singe Pen: Bill Stormont, Arthur Singe | [21] | Try: W Miller Pen: Charles James | Referee: Frank Thompson |
| 27 May | Richmond | 5–15 | Fire Brigade | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: J McLean Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll | [22] | Try: Brady, John Wareing, Cargill Con: John Woolley | Referee: Les Bull |
| 27 May | Devonport | 8–20 | Ponsonby | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Stan Webb, Cyril Wheeler Pen: Charles Hand | [23] | Try: W Hanlon, Frank Delgrosso, James Hing, R Cook Con: Frank Delgrosso 2, Thomas McClymont 2 | Attendance: 500 Referee: Billy Murray |
Round 6
| 10 June | City | 17–13 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bill Davidson, Ben Davidson, Maurice Wetherill Con: Bill Davidson 2 Pen: Bill Davidson 2 | [24] | Try: Billy Ghent, Percy Gallagher, John Lang Pen: Arthur Singe, D Murray | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
| 10 June | Ponsonby | 12–4 | Fire Brigade | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Thomas McClymont, W Hanlon Con: Dougie McGregor, Frank Delgrosso Pen: Thomas McClymont | [25] | Pen: John Wareing, Henderson | Referee: William Mincham |
| 10 June | Newton | 32–8 | Richmond | Victoria Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Clarrie Polson, Lou Brown 2, Walter Voysey, Wally Somers 2, F Gregory, Bill Cloke Con: Charles James, W Miller, Unknown x 2 | [26] | Try: Parkes, Butler Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll | Referee: T Hill |
| 10 June | Devonport | 20–12 | Athletics | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: J Price, Clarke, Stan Webb, Alf Scott Con: Charles Hand, Bert Laing Pen: Charles Hand, + 1 goal from a mark | [27] | Try: Halliday, Ivan Littlewood Con: Eric Grey Pen: Bert Avery | Referee: Len Farrant |
Round 7
The match between Devonport and Marist was the 50th senior rugby league game played at Devonport Domain. The first match played there was in 1910.
| 17 June | City | 19–13 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson, Ben Davidson, Penalty Try Con: Bill Davidson 3 Pen: Maurice Wetherill 1 mark Drop: Ben Davidson | [28] | Try: Leo Barraclough, Lou Brown, Alfred James Con: Clarrie Polson Pen: Clarrie Polson | Referee: Les Bull |
| 17 June | Fire Brigade | 32–25 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Henderson 2, Brady 2, Cargill, Charles Woolley, John Woolley 2 Con: John Wareing, Henderson 2 Pen: John Wareing | [29] | Try: Nicholson, Brake, Jim Brien, Bert Avery, Herb Lunn Con: Eric Grey 3 Drop: Eric Grey, McGregor | Referee: T Hill |
| 17 June | Devonport | 14–12 | Marist | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Clarence Webb, Alf Scott, Cyril Wheeler, George Duane Pen: Bert Laing | [30] | Try: Percy Gallagher, Bill Stormont, S Chatfield, Billy Ghent | Referee: Billy Murray |
| 17 June | Richmond | 13–21 | Ponsonby | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Little, McKenzie, Butler Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll, Butler | [31] | Try: William Southernwood, Thomas McClymont, Bill Walsh, Frank Delgrosso, Dougie McGregor Con: Thomas McClymont 3 | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
Round 8
| 1 July | City | 9–3 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson, F Wilson, Harry Hawkes | [32] | Try: Stan Webb | Referee: Len Farrant |
| 1 July | Ponsonby | 16–5 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Hanlon, McGregor, A Black, Wilfred McNeil Con: Dougie McGregor Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [33] | Try: D Annan Con: Clarrie Polson | Referee: A Ball |
| 1 July | Marist | 21–21 | Fire Brigade | Victoria Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Billy Ghent, Roly Tait, John Lang, A Martin, Percy Gallagher Con: D Murray 2 Pen: Billy Ghent | [34] | Try: Lovett, John Woolley, John Wareing, R Coates, Ernie Herring Con: John Wareing, J O'Brien Pen: Lovett | Referee: L Hemming |
| 1 July | Athletic | 7–8 | Richmond | Victoria Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Miller Pen: Eric Grey 2 | [35] | Try: McKenzie, W Little Pen: Butler | Referee: A Vause |
Round 9
| 8 July | City | 32–2 | Fire Brigade | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson, Ben Davidson 2, Bill Davidson Con: Bill Davidson 4, Maurice Wetherill Pen: Bill Davidson 2 | [36] | Pen: Henderson | Referee: Les Bull |
| 8 July | Marist | 27–15 | Richmond | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Percy Gallagher, John Lang 2, Arthur Singe, Stevens 2, Norm Loveridge Con: Percy Gallagher, John Lang Pen: John Lang | [37] | Try: J McLean 3 Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll 2 Pen: Eric (Mick) Carroll | Referee: T Hill |
| 8 July | Newton | 16–11 | Devonport | Victoria Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Clarrie Polson, Walter Voysey Con: Clarrie Polson 2 Pen: Clarrie Polson, Walter Voysey 2 | [38] | Try: J Price, Clarke, Charles Hand Drop: W Harrison | Referee: A Ball |
| 8 July | Ponsonby | 30–10 | Athletic | Victoria Park 3 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Thomas McClymont, Dougie McGregor 2, McGregor, W Hanlon, James Hing Con: Thomas McClymont 5 Pen: Frank Delgrosso | [39] | Try: George Yardley, R Lonergan Con: Craddock Dufty 2 | Referee: William Mincham |
Round 10
| 15 July | Ponsonby | 13–9 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Hanlon, Frank Delgrosso, R Cook Con: Thomas McClymont 2 | [40] | Try: Nelson Pen: Bill Stormont, John Lang Drop: John Lang | Referee: Billy Murray |
| 15 July | City | 48–12 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Harry Hawkes, George Paki 2, Bill Davidson 2, Vic Thomas, F Wilson 3, Ernie Mackie, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Bill Davidson, Ben Davidson, Alf Townsend, Maurice Wetherill, C "Chook" Mitchell Pen: Harry Hawkes | [41] | Try: McKenzie, S McLean Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll Pen: Eric (Mick) Carroll 2 | Referee: Len Farrant |
| 15 July | Devonport | 21–7 | Fire Brigade | Victoria Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Harry Douglas 2, Bert Laing, Stan Webb, Clarence Webb Con: Bert Laing 2, Tommy Taylor | [42] | Try: John Wareing Pen: John Wareing 2 | Referee: Walter Ripley |
| 15 July | Newton | 16–15 | Athletic | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Lou Brown 2, Wally Somers, Leo Barraclough Con: Clarrie Polson Pen: Walter Voysey | [43] | Try: Redmond Lonergan, G Nicholson, George Yardley Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
Round 11
| 22 July | City | 40–9 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson 3, Maurice Wetherill 4, Bill Davidson, George Paki, Alf Townsend Con: Bill Davidson 4, Ernie Mackie | [44] | Try: Thomas McClymont Con: Thomas McClymont Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
| 22 July | Athletic | 29–8 | Marist | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bert Avery 2, Redmond Lonergan, David Dance, Craddock Dufty, George Yardley 2 Con: Craddock Dufty 2, George Yardley, Mike Flynn | [45] | Try: Nelson, Jock Johnson Con: Bill Stormont | Referee: Les Bull |
| 22 July | Devonport | 37–15 | Richmond | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Alex Godick, Bert Laing, Harry Douglas, Neville St George, Clarence Webb, Tommy Taylor, Stan Webb 2, Johnson Con: Bert Laing, Neville St George, Stan Webb, Harrison | [46] | Try: Bill Davis, Butler, H McDonald Con: Butler 2 Pen: Butler | Referee: A Ball |
| 22 July | Newton | 19–17 | Fire Brigade | Victoria Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bill Williams, Lou Brown 2, Alan Clarke, Leo Brockliss Con: Walter Voysey, Clarrie Polson | [47] | Try: John Wareing 2, G Cargill Con: John Wareing 2 Pen: John Wareing 2 | Referee: T Hill |
Round 12
| 29 July | Athletic | 19–12 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Redmond Lonergan 3, George Yardley, Bert Avery Con: Craddock Dufty, George Yardley | [48] | Try: Vic Thomas, F Wilson Con: Bill Davidson 2 Pen: Bill Davidson 1 mark | Referee: Les Bull |
| 29 July | Marist | 31–10 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Nelson Bass, Arthur Singe, Billy Ghent 2, Percy Gallagher 2, George Duane Con: Norm Loveridge, Stevens Pen: Nelson Bass + 1 mark, Billy Ghent | [49] | Try: Wally Somers, Bill Cloke Con: Walter Voysey 2 | Referee: Albert Vause |
| 29 July | Devonport | 11–5 | Ponsonby | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Alf Scott, Stan Webb, J Price Con: Tommy Taylor | [50] | Try: Frank Delgrosso Con: Thomas McClymont | Referee: William Mincham |
| 29 July | Richmond | 18–3 | Fire Brigade | Auckland Domain 3 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: W Little, Eric (Mick) Carroll, Lovegrove, McKenzie Con: McKenzie Pen: Barry 2 | [51] | Try: W McLure | Referee: Ladbury (Ray) Hemming |
Round 13
| 5 August | Marist | 21–12 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Duane 2, Percy Gallagher, Bill Stormont, Sid McNamara Con: Bill Stormont 2, Norm Loveridge | [52] | Try: Ben Davidson, Harry Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson 2 | Referee: Billy Murray |
| 5 August | Athletic | 11-9 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bert Avery Con: George Yardley Pen: George Yardley 2, Craddock Dufty | [53] | Try: Bert Laing Con: Tommy Taylor Pen: Bert Laing 1 mark, Charles Hand | Referee: Frank Thompson |
| 5 August | Ponsonby | 23–6 | Fire Brigade | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Leonard Riley, James Hing 2, Mason, Unknown x 1 Con: Dougie McGregor 2, Unknown x 1 Pen: Dougie McGregor | [54] | Try: Henderson, Ernie Herring | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
| 5 August | Richmond | 13–5 | Newton | Auckland Domain 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: McKenzie, Puha, Eric (Mick) Carroll Con: Butler Pen: Butler | [55] | Try: Alfred James Pen: Lou Brown | Referee: Walter Ripley |
Round 14
| 12 August | City | 18–13 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson 2, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Bill Davidson 3 | [56] | Try: Charles James, Rope, Bill Williams Con: Clarrie Polson, Alan Clarke | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
| 12 August | Marist | 22–13 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Lynch, Percy Gallagher, Arthur Singe 2 Con: Bill Stormont, Billy Ghent, Norm Loveridge Pen: Bill Stormont + 1 mark | [57] | Try: Stan Webb 3 Con: Tommy Taylor 2 | Referee: A Ball |
| 12 August | Athletic | 36–5 | Fire Brigade | Auckland Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Eric Grey 3, Charles Webb, Nicholson, Craddock Dufty, Bert Avery, Unknown x 1 Con: Eric Grey, George Yardley, Lee, Unknown x 1 Drop: Eric Grey, Jack McGregor | [58] | Try: Lovett Pen: John Wareing | Referee: Walter Ripley |
| 12 August | Richmond | 6–15 | Ponsonby | Grey Lynn Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Butler 2 | [59] | Try: Ivan Littlewood, Frank Delgrosso 2 Con: Dougie McGregor, Ivan Littlewood Pen: Dougie McGregor | Referee: William Mincham |
Roope Rooster knockout competition
The loss by Athletic in the final was remarkably their 5th consecutive loss in the Roope Rooster final (their previous 4 under the name or Maritime).
Round 1
| 26 August | Ponsonby | 16–13 | Marist | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Wilfred McNeil, W Hanlon, Ivan Littlewood 2 Pen: Dougie McGregor & 1 mark | [60] | Try: Bill Stormont, Arthur Singe, Stevens Con: Norm Loveridge 2 | Referee: William Mincham |
| 26 August | Athletic | 15–12 | Fire Brigade | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Jack McGregor, Bert Avery, Nicholson Con: Craddock Dufty Pen: Craddock Dufty 2 | [61] | Try: John Wareing, Henderson Con: John Wareing Pen: John Wareing 2 | Referee: T Hill |
| 26 August | Newton | 18–13 | Richmond | Auckland Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Clarrie Polson, Biggs, Thomas Virtue, Bill Williams, Unknown x 1 Con: Lou Brown, Unknown x 1 | [62] | Try: E Redwood, Eric (Mick) Carroll, Parkes Con: Eric (Mick) Carroll Pen: Butler | Referee: Len Farrant |
| 26 August | Devonport | 11–12 | City | Devonport Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Cyril Wheeler, Stan Webb, Alf Scott Pen: Bert Laing | [63] | Try: George Paki, George Davidson Con: Maurice Wetherill Pen: Bill Davidson 2 marks | Referee: Billy Murray |
Semi finals
| 9 September | Ponsonby | 41–20 | Newton | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 1:45 | Try: Eric McGregor, Williams, Ivan Littlewood 5, Wilfred McNeil 2, William Southernwood, Hector Cole Con: Dougie McGregor 3, Thomas McClymont | [64] | Try: Walter Voysey, Biggs, Wally Somers, Lou Brown Con: Wally Somers 2 Pen: Walter Voysey (pen & mark) | Referee: William Mincham |
| 9 September | Athletic | 9–7 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3.30 | Try: Bert Avery Con: Eric Grey Pen: George Yardley Drop: Eric Grey | [65] | Try: C "Chook" Mitchell Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson | Referee: Les Bull |
Final
| 30 September | Ponsonby | 11–10 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Thomas McClymont 2, Wilfred McNeil Con: Thomas McClymont | [66] | Try: Nicholson, Eric Grey Con: Eric Grey Pen: Eric Grey | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
Top try scorers and point scorers
These lists include tries and points scored in the First Grade competition and the Roope Rooster competition only. Bill Davidson set a record for the number of points scored by a single player in a season. While earlier seasons were often incomplete with some points unattributed his 116 points was well ahead of the previous highest of 78 by Karl Ifwersen in the 1915 season. P Gallagher of Marist was the top try scorer with 15.
| Rank | Player | Team | Tries | Con | Pen | Mark | Drop Goal | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Davidson | City | 8 | 33 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 116 |
| 2 | Eric Grey | Athletic | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 70 |
| 3 | Thomas McClymont | Ponsonby | 6 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 56 |
| 4 | John Wareing | Fire Brigade | 7 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| 5 | Clarrie Polson | Newton | 5 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| 5 | Percy Gallagher | Marist | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| 7 | Ivan Littlewood | Athletic & Ponsonby | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| 8 | Ben Davidson | City | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 40 |
| 8 | George Yardley | Athletic | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| 10 | Maurice Wetherill | City | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
Challenge shield matches
City Rovers came into the season as holders of the trophy after defeating Ponsonby United the previous season. The shield had taken the place of the Thacker Shield which had been taken from Ponsonby and returned to the Canterbury Rugby League after a dispute over who was eligible to compete for it. City went on to defend the shield 3 times during the season defeating Petone, Tongariro, and Huntly.
City v Petone
| 7 October | City | 5–3 | Petone | Carlaw Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: F Wilson Pen: Selby Crewther | [67] | Try: Kruse | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
City v Tongariro
The Tongariro team was "made up of Maori players drawn from the scattered settlements of the King Country" according to the New Zealand Herald match report, though were missing some of their best players. The Auckland Star reported that many of their players were graduates of Te Aute College.
| 14 October | City | 37–14 | Tongariro | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Maurice Wetherill 3, Alf Townsend, Ernie Mackie, George Paki, F Wilson, Ben Davidson 2 Con: Ernie Mackie 3, Harry Hawkes Pen: Selby Crewther | [68] | Try: Springall, H Pau, Taia, Hamu Con: H Pau | Referee: Les Bull |
City v Huntly
Huntly came to Auckland as the South Auckland (Waikato) champions and were expected to provide a stern test to City however after a competitive first half they fell away badly in the second half with City ending up running in 11 tries.
| 28 October | City | 43–13 | Huntly | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Harry Hawkes 4, Maurice Wetherill, Ben Davidson 3, George Davidson 2, George Paki Con: Henry Hawkes, Maurice Wetherill, George Davidson, Ernie Mackie, George Paki | [69] | Try: Stan Raynor, Sheeran, Tim Peckham Pen: G Raynor 2 |
Lower grades
There were 7 lower grades in 1922 if you include the Sixth Grade which was split into an A and B grade and the Cadet Competition. Mr. G. Davis donated a trophy for the junior club with the most points and it was won by Richmond, with City second and Ponsonby third.
Second grade
City Rovers defeated Devonport United 16–13 in the final on September 2. Marist and Ellerslie had withdrawn after 2 rounds and had no results reported so possibly didn't play in any matches and therefore have been omitted from the standings, Newton withdrew after 8, Athletic after 9, and Otahuhu after 10. A knockout competition involving the nine teams still remaining from the championship, and Newton who had reformed their team began on September 9. On October 28 Mangere defeated Newton 19-11 in the final played at Manukau (Onehunga). On September 16 a Junior rep side made up of players from this grade played against the Wednesday Representative side and lost 16-8. The match was played as a curtain-raiser to the Auckland - New South Wales at Carlaw Park.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Rovers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 40 | 12 |
| Devonport United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 58 | 44 | 2 |
| Richmond Rovers | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 89 | 47 | 12 |
| Māngere Rangers | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 68 | 7 |
| Ponsonby United | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 66 | 81 | 6 |
| Ihumātao | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 78 | 107 | 6 |
| Manukau Rovers | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 21 | 6 |
| Newton Rangers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 15 | 3 |
| Otahuhu Rovers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 2 |
| Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 57 | 0 |
| Athletic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
Third grade (Myers Cup)
Ponsonby United won the championship with an undefeated record, beating Kingsland Rovers 9-3 in what was labelled the final, on September 23, although Kingsland had lost at least 3 matches prior to this. A large number of results were unreported though the majority of Ponsonby and Point Chevalier's results were. Manukau defaulted their first two matches and then withdrew so have been omitted from the standings as they did not play a game. City B withdrew after 12 rounds, Devonport and Coromandel Old Boys withdrew after 14 rounds.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponsonby United | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 202 | 48 | 25 |
| Kingsland Rovers | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 51 | 61 | 16 |
| Point Chevalier | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 199 | 67 | 17 |
| Ellerslie United | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 90 | 89 | 8 |
| Parnell | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 23 | 83 | 8 |
| Newton Rangers | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 55 | 38 | 6 |
| City Rovers B | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 39 | 4 |
| Richmond Rovers | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 39 | 50 | 3 |
| Devonport United | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 85 | 3 |
| City Rovers A | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 64 | 2 |
| Coromandel Old Boys | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 102 | 2 |
Fourth grade
Richmond played Otahuhu on September 23 for the championship. The match was drawn 5-5 but Richmond secured the title as they were 1 competition point ahead going into the match. A large number of results were not reported, with just 3 of Otahuhu's reported thus their tally of 6 wins is based purely on the fact that they finished 1 pt behind Richmond. Richmond only had 8 results reported from their 14 scheduled matches. City withdrew after 11 rounds.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Rovers | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 150 | 34 | 15 |
| Otahuhu Rovers | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 8 | 13 |
| Kingsland Rovers | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 60 | 40 | 8 |
| Parnell | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 65 | 136 | 8 |
| Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 51 | 16 | 4 |
| Ellerslie United | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 99 | 2 |
| Devonport United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 30 | 2 |
| City Rovers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 32 | 10 | 0 |
| Newton Rangers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 77 | 0 |
Fifth grade (Endean Memorial Shield)
Takapuna won the championship. It was to be the only grade win for the club in their history which lasted from 1921 to 1925. Richmond had beaten Takapuna 8-3 on July 22 but the match was ordered to be replayed by the league. Takapuna going on to win the title. Richmond defeated Takapuna on September 2 to win the knockout competition. The majority of the results were not reported so the standings are significantly incomplete.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takapuna | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 93 | 36 | 14 |
| Richmond Rovers | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 90 | 36 | 14 |
| Manukau Rovers | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 99 | 33 | 7 |
| Newton Rangers | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 44 | 98 | 4 |
| Ponsonby United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 20 | 2 |
| Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 61 | 2 |
| Marist Old Boys | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 33 | 51 | 2 |
| Devonport United | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 62 | 1 |
Sixth grade A
City Rovers A won the competition ahead of Richmond and Athletic. A standalone match was played between City and Athletic on September 16 to end the season and this was possible to decide the title. Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers withdrew after 3 rounds. A large number of the results were not reported.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Rovers A | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 184 | 19 | 20 |
| Richmond Rovers | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 113 | 24 | 12 |
| Manukau Rovers | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 22 | 6 |
| Marist Old Boys | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 46 | 43 | 4 |
| Athletic | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 39 | 54 | 4 |
| Kingsland Rovers | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 142 | 3 |
| Otahuhu Rovers | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 46 | 2 |
| Ponsonby United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 2 |
| Ellerslie United | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 88 | 1 |
| Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
Sixth grade B
Athletic won the competition. The majority of match results were not reported so the standings are significantly incomplete. Athletic only had 3 match results reported and 2 of those were losses. Ponsonby defaulted in round 1 and withdrew from the competition so have not been included in the standings.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 34 | 2 |
| Richmond Rovers | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 70 | 31 | 10 |
| Manukau Rovers | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 10 | 10 |
| Parnell | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 34 | 6 |
| City Rovers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 53 | 0 |
| Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
Cadet competition
22nd Company, based in the City won the competition. They sealed the title when they beat 36th Company (Northcote) with a 13-0 win on September 30. It was slightly confusing as teams went by different names, sometimes being referred to by their company number and sometimes by their geographical location, whilst City were also called "Athletic" on occasion. Then on July 8 a team joined the competition simply known as Takapuna. Presumably this was also a cadet side rather than the club team of the same name.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd Eden Company | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 153 | 51 | 18 |
| 26th City (Athletic) Company | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 85 | 72 | 10 |
| 36th Northcote Company | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 76 | 6 |
| 29th Ponsonby Company | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 90 | 0 |
| Takapuna | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 25 | 0 |
Wednesday Competition
On September 13 a Taxi Drivers side beat Bakers 21-9 at Carlaw Park. A Bakers player (T. McPherson) broke his ankle and was taken home). On September 20 the Post and Telegraph side played against the Wednesday representative team as curtain-raiser to the Auckland Province - New South Wales match at Carlaw Park. Post and Telegraph won 33 to 11 with future New Zealand international Arthur Singe scoring 2 tries and kicking a conversion. Wally Somers was also in the Post and Telegraph side.[70]
Representative season
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It was an extremely busy season for the Auckland representative side. They played ten matches in total, while many members of the side also played for the Auckland Provincial team, and an Auckland B team also played a match in Cambridge. Of the ten matches they lost 6 and won 4. The first representative fixture of the season was played on 20 May between Auckland and the Maori team which was preparing to visit Australia and play a series of matches. There were 7,000 in attendance and gate receipts totaled £297 2s 6d. On 19 June the touring Australian Universities Rugby League team arrived in Auckland on board the 'Manuka'. They were welcomed at a function at the Auckland Town Hall by a large assembly of Auckland politicians including the Mayor Mr. J.H. Gunson, and representatives of Auckland Rugby League and the New Zealand League Council.[71] The Australians acquitted themselves well by beating Auckland twice, and losing to them once and a loss to the South Waikato team in Hamilton. The games were played over the space of just 8 days.
After the NZ Māori team returned from their tour of Australia seven members of their team were transferred to the Fire Brigade Club, though only four played in their round 9 match (Pitman, Gardner, Yeats and Te Whata).
History was made on 2 September when Auckland was defeated for the first time in a Northern Union Challenge Cup match. They had held the Cup for over a decade, but had to hand it over when they were defeated by South Auckland 21 to 20 on Carlaw Park in front of a large crowd. On 16 September they met the touring New South Wales team at the Auckland Domain and in front of a huge crowd of 20,000 they went down in a "tremendously fast and exciting game" by 45 points to 25.[72]
Auckland v New Zealand Maori
The Auckland team was not at full strength with 5 players originally selected unable to play. The New Zealand Māori team featured Bill Te Whata who joined the Fire Brigade (formerly Grafton Athletic) team after the tour and then later the Athletic (formerly Maritime) side. Also in the team was Craddock Dufty who became a huge figure in the game in the 1920s and 30s in Auckland where he played over 50 matches for New Zealand and 30 for Auckland, George Paki a long time City Rovers player who also had a stint at Richmond Rovers, and Sam Lowrie who played 149 games for Ponsonby along with several games for New Zealand and Auckland.
| 20 May | Auckland | 18–28 | New Zealand Maori | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: John Lang 2, Clarrie Polson, Maurice Wetherill Con: Bill Davidson 3 | [73] | Try: Moses Yates, Remi Morrison, Craddock Dufty, Mason Lockwood 2, Bill Te Whata Con: Craddock Dufty 2, Bill Te Whata Pen: Craddock Dufty, Moses Yates | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Billy Murray |
Auckland v Australian Universities
The Australian University team was made up of players from Sydney University and Brisbane University.
| 21 June | Auckland | 12–13 | Australian Universities | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Ivan Littlewood, Nelson Bass Con: Bill Davidson Pen: Bill Davidson, Thomas McClymont | [74] | Try: T Lynskey, F Cripps, J Dunworth Con: H Courtenay Pen: J Craig | Referee: Bill Murray |
Auckland v Australian Universities
Bill Stormont injured his knee during the match and was replaced by Ernie Herring. Herring took his place in the starting side for the third match due to the injury.
| 24 June | Auckland | 7–18 | Australian Universities | Auckland Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Nelson Bass Pen: Bill Davidson, Arthur Singe | [75] | Try: J Craig, Cunningham, F Cripps 2 Con: J Craig 2, H Courtenay | Attendance: 13,500 Referee: Bert Gallagher |
Auckland v Australian Universities
Nelson Bass and Ivan Littlewood were originally named to start however Turner and John McGregor both took their places in the starting lineup.
| 28 June | Auckland | 24–16 | Australian Universities | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Eric Grey 3, Bert Avery 2, Maurice Wetherill Con: Bill Davidson 3 | [76] | Try: J Craig, Lynskey 2, Connaghan Con: J Craig 2 | Referee: Archie Ferguson |
Auckland v Cambridge
Remarkably 12 of the 13 Auckland players scored points, with 8 separate players scoring tries and 4 others kicking one or more goal. The only player not to register any points for Auckland was second rower, Henry Hawkes.
| 26 July | Auckland | 73–29 | Cambridge | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Craddock Dufty, George Davidson 3, Nelson Bass 4, Maurice Wetherill, Bert Avery 3, Bill Davidson 2, Bert Laing 2, Sam Lowrie Con: Craddock Dufty, George Davidson, Clarrie Polson 2, Nelson Bass, Bill Davidson, Bert Laing, Bill Stormont, Sam Lowrie, Arthur Singe, Stan Webb | [77] | Try: Lyall Stewart, C McMillan 2, Jackson, D Kelly Con: H Shostrom, Lyall Stewart, C McMillan 3 Pen: C McMillan 2 | Referee: Len Farrant |
Auckland v Hawkes Bay (Northern Union Challenge Cup)
| 19 August | Auckland | 23–5 | Hawkes Bay | Carlaw Park | ||
| 3:00 | Try: George Davidson, Bert Avery, Maurice Wetherill, Frank Delgrosso, Harry Hawkes Con: Bill Davidson 2 Pen: Bill Davidson and 1 mark | [78] | Try: N Gillies Pen: Con McCarthy |
Cambridge v Auckland B
William Southernwood of Ponsonby played for the Auckland B side. He would be tragically killed in a boating accident just prior to the start of the 1923 season which also claimed the lives of three other men. His team mate and New Zealand representative Bill Walsh survived the accident.
Cambridge v Auckland B
| 19 August | Cambridge | 8-22 | Auckland B | Victoria Square, Cambridge | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Everitt Campbell, Percy Hill Con: C McMillan | [79] | Try: F Wilson 2, Stevens, Eric McGregor 2, Neville St George Con: W Little, Walter Voysey | Referee: J McIvor |
Auckland v South Auckland (Northern Union Challenge Cup)
| 2 September | Auckland | 20–21 | South Auckland (Waikato) | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Craddock Dufty, George Davidson, Clarrie Polson, Harry Hawkes Con: Craddock Dufty 3 Pen: Craddock Dufty | [80] | Try: Huatahi Paki 2, Wilson Hall Con: Tonga Mahuta, Tim Peckham Pen: Tonga Mahuta 4 | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
Auckland v New South Wales
Auckland played the touring New South Wales team in front of 20,000 spectators at the Auckland Domain but was heavily defeated with Australian legend Frank Burge running in 5 tries. George Davidson replaced his brother Bill Davidson in the starting side, and Lou Brown came on during the first half to replace the injured Frank Delgrosso, while for New South Wales O'Connor replaced Tye who was also injured in the first half.
| 16 September | Auckland | 25–40 | New South Wales | Auckland Domain | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bert Avery 2, Ivan Littlewood, Lou Brown 2 Con: Craddock Dufty, Maurice Wetherill Pen: Craddock Dufty 3 | [81] | Try: Toohey, Ives, Latta 2, Gray, Frank Burge 5 Con: Horder 2, Frank Burge 3 | Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Billy Murray |
Auckland Province v New South Wales
A few days after the match with New South Wales an Auckland provincial team took on the touring side. This was the first ever Auckland provincial side which included Auckland club players and also players from the Waikato. The Auckland team was made up entirely of Auckland club players aside from former Auckland player Tim Peckham who was playing at Huntly. They also included Bill Te Whata who had played in Australia for the New Zealand Māori side and recently joined the Fire Brigade club in Auckland. They lost a tight match by 21 points to 20. Frank Burge was ordered off for disputing Wilson's try late in the match.
| 20 September | Auckland Province | 20–21 | New South Wales | Auckland Domain 1 | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Bert Laing 2, Maurice Wetherill, F Wilson Con: Craddock Dufty, Bill Davidson 2 Pen: Bill Davidson | [82] | Try: H Horder, W Toohey 2, B Grey, Frank Burge Con: H Horder, Frank Burge 2 | Attendance: 5500 Referee: Les Bull |
South Auckland v Auckland (Northern Union Challenge Cup)
| 2 October | South Auckland (Waikato) | 26–18 | Auckland | Steele Park, Hamilton | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Hemmingway, Brownie Paki, Bishop, Wilson, Jackson, Guthrie Con: Hemmingway 3, Wilson Hall 2 | [83] | Try: George Davidson, Lou Brown, Ben Davidson, Nelson Con: Maurice Wetherill, Clarrie Polson | Attendance: 2500 Referee: A Harlock |
Bay of Plenty v Auckland
| 7 October | Bay of Plenty | 26–33 | Auckland | Tauranga | ||
| 3:00 | Try: Morrison, George Iles, H Hume, George Gardiner, D Barclay, Ahomiro Con: George Gardiner 2, Ahomiro Pen: George Gardiner | [84] | Try: Lou Brown 3, J Johnson, Clarrie Polson, F Wilson, Wally Somers Con: Mike Flynn, Charles Webb 2, Clarrie Polson 2 Pen: Charles Webb | Referee: A Crane |
Auckland representative matches played and scorers
Auckland
| No | Name | Club | Play | Tries | Con | Pen | Mark | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Davidson | City | 6 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 34 |
| 2 | Craddock Dufty | Athletic | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | Bert Avery | Athletic | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | Nelson Bass | Marist | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 4 | George Davidson | City | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 6 | Clarrie Polson | Newton | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| 7 | Lou Brown | Newton | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 8 | Maurice Wetherill | City | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 9 | Eric Grey | Athletic | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 10 | Bert Laing | Devonport | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 | Harry Hawkes | City | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | John Lang | Marist | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | Charles Webb | Athletic | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | Ivan Littlewood | Ponsonby | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | Sam Lowrie | Ponsonby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 16 | Arthur Singe | Marist | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 17 | Frank Delgrosso | Ponsonby | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | Wally Somers | Newton | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | Ben Davidson | City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | F Wilson | City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | A Nelson | Marist | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | J Johnson | Devonport | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 23 | Bill Stormont | Marist | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 23 | Stan Webb | Devonport | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 23 | Mike Flynn | Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 26 | Frank Turner | Marist | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Thomas McClymont | Ponsonby | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Ernie Herring | Fire Brigade | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | John McGregor | Athletic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | William Hanlon | Ponsonby | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Harry Douglas | Devonport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Charles Woolley | Fire Brigade | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Percy Gallagher | Marist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | George Duane | Marist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | C Nicholson | Newton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | George Reid | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Harrison | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Alf Scott | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Ernie Mackie | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | C "Chook" Mitchell | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Charles Hand | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Neville St George | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Jim O'Brien | Devonport United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Brady | Fire Brigade | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Auckland Province
| No | Name | Club Team | Play | Tries | Con | Pen | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Davidson | City | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 1 | Bert Laing | Devonport | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Maurice Wetherill | City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | F Wilson | City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Craddock Dufty | Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | George Paki | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Eric Grey | Athletic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Nelson Bass | Marist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Tim Peckham | Huntly (Waikato) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | William Hanlon | Ponsonby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Neville St George | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Bill Te Whata | Fire Brigade | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Wilfred McNeill | Ponsonby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Auckland B
| No | Name | Club Team | Play | Tries | Con | Pen | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eric McGregor | Ponsonby | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 1 | F Wilson | City | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Stevens | Marist | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | W Little | Richmond | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Walter Voysey | Newton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | William Hanlon | Ponsonby | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | F Gregory | Newton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Tommy Taylor | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | C "Chook" Mitchell | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Eric Carroll | Richmond | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Ernie Mackie | City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Neville St George | Devonport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | William Southernwood | Ponsonby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |