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.
News
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 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 the Māngere United 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]
United Suburbs club formation
At the Auckland Rugby League meeting of April 2 the affiliation of the United Suburbs club was approved. Their club colours were gold with a black badge.[6] Two weeks later at the management committee meeting their colours were registered however they were now maroon and gold.[7]
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 Māngere United 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 Māngere United, 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 |
Māngere United | 14 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 154 | 252 | 10 |
Richmond Rovers | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 97 | 194 | 10 |
Newton Rangers | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 133 | 250 | 10 |
Ellerslie | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 95 | 210 | 7 |
Round 1
26 April | Ponsonby | 24–5 | Māngere | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:30 | Try: Cooke, Moore, J Shirley, Mormon, Wilfred McNeil, Ivan Littlewood Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso |
[8] | Try: Lipscombe Pen: Jack Pai |
Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Bert 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 |
[8] | Pen: Alan Clarke | Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Les Bull |
26 April | Athletic | 6–2 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:15 | Try: Wilson Hall, Austin | [8] | Pen: William Hanlon | Attendance: 4,500 Referee: W Ripley |
26 April | Marist | 10–7 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:30 | Try: Sweeney, Edmund Carroll Con: John Lang Pen: John Lang |
[9] | 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 |
[10] | 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 |
[11] | 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, Neville St George, A Goddick |
[11] | Try: Baker 2, Peebles, G Slater Con: Bryan Pen: H Wynn |
Referee: Bert Gallagher |
3 May | Richmond | 16–11 | Mangere | Auckland Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: Parkes 2, Campney, McMillan Con: McDonald Pen: Avery |
[11] | Try: M Paul, Jim Rukutai 2 Con: L Wilson |
Referee: Billy 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. Neville St George and Alf Townsend were ordered off in the City match with Devonport. They were the two hookers and there had been issues with the scrum.
10 May | Marist | 10–3 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: B Sweeney 2 Con: Charles Gregory 2 |
[12] | 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 |
[13] | Try: Jim Rukutai, M Paul | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
10 May | Richmond | 6–0 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Unknown, Campney | [14] | Attendance: 3,000 Referee: McCowatt |
10 May | Devonport | 2–2 | City | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Pen: Bert Laing | [15] | Pen: V Thomas | Referee: Les Bull |
Round 4
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.[16]
24 May | Mangere | 35–10 | Newton | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Lou Wilson 3, Jack Pai, Jim Rukutai, P Tutaki, M Paul 2 Con: Lou Wilson 2, Moyle, M Paul |
[17] | Try: Lindsay, Wally Somers Con: Clarrie Polson 2 |
Referee: William Mincham |
24 May | Devonport | 13–7 | Richmond | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: G Smith, Stan Webb, Harry Douglas Con: Bert Laing Pen: Bert Laing |
[17] | Try: Hyland Pen: McDonald 2 |
Referee: W Ripley |
24 May | Marist | PPD | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
1:45 | [17] | Referee: Leonard Neild |
24 May | Ponsonby | PPD | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
1:45 | [17] | Referee: Bert Gallagher |
Round 5
31 May | Devonport | 6–0 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: Bert Laing, Alf Scott | [18] | Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Bert 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 |
[18] | Try: Butler | Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Leonard 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 |
[18] | 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 |
[19] | Referee: McCowatt |
Round 4 postponed matches
3 June | Marist | 8–8 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
9:30 | Try: Woolley, Hec Brisbane Con: Charles Gregory |
[20] | Try: B Sweeney, Ernie Herring Con: Wilson Hall |
Attendance: 2,000 Referee: A Saunders |
3 June | Ellerslie | 6–5 | Ponsonby | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
9:30 | Try: Brien, Murray | [21] | 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, Jim O'Brien, Stan Webb, Norman Veart Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott |
[22] | Try: Craddock Dufty, Penalty Try, Graham Con: Craddock Dufty 3 |
Referee: A 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 |
[23] | 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 |
[24] | Try: Arthur Roy Ansell |
21 June | Richmond | 5–0 | Ellerslie | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Unknown x 1 Con: Unknown x 1 |
[24] |
Round 7

Referee Bill Murray was refereeing his 50th first grade match in the clash between Devonport and Mangere at the Devonport Domain. He became only the second referee to achieve this feat after Archie Ferguson 2 years earlier. There was controversy in the 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.[25]
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 |
[26] | Try: Whitling Pen: Whitling 2 |
Referee: Robert A Bovaird |
28 June | Athletic | 14–5 | Ellerslie | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
2:45 | Try: Jack McGregor 2, Woolley, Joe Hadley Con: George Yardley |
[26] | Try: Andrews Con: Hettet |
Referee: Percy 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 |
[27] | Try: Dick Stack | Referee: T Hill |
28 June | Devonport | 24–3 | Mangere | Devonport Domain | ||
2:45 | Try: C Hand, A Goddick, Harry Douglas 2, Bert Laing, Norman Veart Con: Julius Laing, Alf Scott Pen: Julius Laing |
[26] | Try: M Paul | Referee: Billy Murray |
Round 8
5 July | Athletic | 6–6 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
2:45 | Try: Bill Te Whata, George Yardley | [28] | Try: Ben Davidson 2 | Referee: Billy Murray |
5 July | Ponsonby | 11–6 | Richmond | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
2:45 | Try: Ward, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Pen: Frank Delgrosso |
[29] | Try: Butler, Redwood | Referee: Les Bull |
5 July | Mangere | 18–10 | Ellerslie | Manukau 3 | ||
2:45 | Try: Unknown 18 points | [30] | Try: Unknown 10 points | Referee: W Ripley |
5 July | Devonport | WBD–LBD | Newton | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | [30] | Referee: Leonard Nield |
Round 9
City defaulted their match against Mangere United 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 |
[31] | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Leonard 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 |
[32] | Try: George Yardley, Bert Avery, Len Mason | Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Ripley |
12 July | Mangere | WBD–LBD | City | Victoria Park 1 | ||
3:00 | [33] | Referee: McCowatt |
12 July | Newton | 11-5 | Ellerslie | Victoria Park 2 | ||
3:00 | [34] | 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.
19 July | Marist | 13–2 | City | Carlaw Park 1 | ||
2:45 | Try: John Lang, Hec Brisbane, B Sweeney Con: George Gardiner 2 |
[35] | Pen: Selby 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 |
[36] | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Percy Rogers |
19 July | Devonport | 3–6 | Ponsonby | Devonport Domain | ||
3:00 | Try: Monteith | [37] | Try: Frank Delgrosso, Thomas McClymont | Referee: Billy Murray |
19 July | Ellerslie | 8-19 | Mangere | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | [38] | Referee: Leonard 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 |
[39] | Pen: McDonald 2 | Referee: Les Bull |
9 August | City | 35–10 | Athletic | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: George Davidson, Selby Crewther, Cargill, Nelson Bass 2, Lou Brown 3, Mackay Con: George Davidson, Selby Crewther 3 |
[40] | Try: Seagar, John McGregor Con: Seagar Pen: Seagar |
Referee: A Saunders |
9 August | Devonport | 21–6 | Ellerslie | Victoria Park 1 | ||
3:00 | Try: A Harper 3, Walter Voysey, Stan Webb Con: Alf Scott 3 |
[41] | 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 |
[41] | 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 |
[42] | 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 |
[43] | 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 |
[44] | Try: Harrison | Referee: William Mincham |
16 August | Newton | 9–27 | Devonport | Victoria Park | ||
3:00 | Try: Moran Con: Arthur Mansill Pen: Arthur Mansill 2 |
[44] | Try: Alf Scott 2, Julius Laing, Butland, A Harper, G Smith, Charles Hand Con: Proctor, Unknown x 1 Pen: Tommy Taylor |
Referee: Robert A 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 |
[45] | 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 |
[46] | 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, Neville St George, Bert Laing, Charles Hand Pen: John Laing |
[46] | Try: M Paul, J Pai, L Wilson Con: M Paul, Arthur Roy Ansell |
Referee: Percy Addleburt Lupton |
23 August | Ellerslie | 10–10 | City | Ellerslie Reserve | ||
3:00 | Try: Crotty, Slater Con: Peebles, Shand |
[47] | 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 |
[48] | Try: Snedden 2, Joseph Peckham, Ivan Littlewood, J Shirley Con: Frank Delgrosso 2 Pen: Frank Delgrosso |
Referee: William 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 |
[49] | Pen: Stand | Referee: W Ripley |
30 August | Mangere | 5–10 | Richmond | Mangere | ||
3:00 | Try: M Paul Con: M Paul |
[50] | Try: Campney 2 Con: W Hanlon 2 |
Referee: Leonard Nield |
30 August | City | 16–3 | Newton | Victoria Park | ||
3:00 | Try: Purdy, Thorburn, Lou Brown, Ben Davidson Con: Lou Brown Drop: Ben Davidson |
[51] | Try: Arthur Mansill | Referee: A 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 |
[52] | Try: A Harper, Walter Voysey, Norman Veart Pen: Bert Laing 2 |
Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Leonard 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 |
[53] | Try: Joe Hadley 2, Craddock Dufty, C Timmins Con: Craddock Dufty 2 Pen: Craddock Dufty |
Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Robert A Bovaird |
6 September | Mangere | 5–29 | Marist | Mangere | ||
3:00 | Try: Daniels Pen: Wilson |
[54] | 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 |
[54] | 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 |
[55] | 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: N Lipscombe |
[56] | 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 |
[56] | 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 | [57] | Referee: A 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. A table published at the end of the season also only credited Mangere with 14 matches, not 15 which is what they would have played had the match taken place.
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 |
[58] | 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, Edmund Carroll Con: Charles Gregory 5 |
[58] | 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 | [59] | Try: Thompson | Referee: Hill |
20 September | Mangere | cancelled | Ponsonby | Manukau | ||
3:00 | [60] | Referee: Alfred James 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 Referee: Bill Murray |
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 |
[61] | 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 |
[62] | 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 |
[63] | Try: Roy Hardgrave 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 |
[64] | 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 |
[63] | 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 |
[65] | Try: Webb, Ernie Herring, Joe Hadley Con: Craddock Dufty |
Attendance: 6,500 Referee: William Mincham |
11 October | Ponsonby | 14–10 | Devonport | Carlaw Park 2 | ||
3:00 | Try: Dempsey, Moore Con: Frank Delgrosso, Dempsey Pen: Frank Delgrosso 2 |
[65] | 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 | [66] | 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.
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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
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 |
[67] | 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 |
[68] | Try: Malloy, Jack Kirwan Con: Charles Gregory Pen: Charles Gregory |
Attendance: 4000 |
Lower grades
There were 6 lower grade competitions in 1924 with the 6th grade split into an A and B division.
Second grade

Otahuhu United won the competition after defeating Richmond Rovers 17-5 on September 6 in the final. Otahuhu had won the A Section and Richmond the B Section. The standings are incomplete with around 18 rounds being played. Athletic withdrew after 3 rounds, Marist and Ellerslie withdrew after 7 rounds, and the Manukau side withdrew when the Manukau board switched to rugby union in protest at a decision by Auckland Rugby League in July. Kingsland won the knockout final when they defeated Otahuhu 6 points to 3 on October 18.
Third gradeCity Rovers won the competition after defeating Devonport United 12-2 on September 6 in the final. The standings are incomplete with 16 rounds being played but with most teams only having 3-5 results reported. City also won the knockout final on October 4 when they beat Athletic in the final 18-8. Marist were listed to play in round one but withdrew after that, Victoria Cruising Club also entered a team but had no fixtures after round 2, and Kingsland B also did not have any fixtures beyond round 2. Manukau withdrew in July after their boards decision to switch to rugby in protest at a transfer suspension of one of their players.
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