1927 Auckland Rugby League season

This was the second time Newton had won the championship in 18 efforts, with the first being in 1912 and was to be their last after they merged decades later with City Rovers and the combined team ceased in the early 2000s.

The annual report for the 1927 season stated that the total revenue for Auckland Rugby League was £5,597, with £4,216 taken at the gates.

[3] Auckland began the season with a match against the returning members of the New Zealand team that had toured England from August 1926 to January 1927.

One possible reason for his selection may have been the fact that Arthur Singe had been banned for life after going on strike during the tour along with 6 other players.

Ernest Ruby, the well known Devonport forward was unable to play in their opening match after suffering an injury at the gas works where he was employed.

Prior to round 2 Wigan made an offer to Lou Brown of the City side, while Ben Davidson had reportedly received one from Hull.

Nelson Bass tore his knee cartilage in the match between City and Ponsonby and was forced into early retirement.

With the recent lifting of the ban on foreign players being allowed to play in the English league Ben Davidson had been signed by Wigan along with Lou Brown.

With the scores tied 13-13 with two minutes remaining Frank Delgrosso kicked a penalty to hand Ponsonby a two point win.

At the conclusion of the match the referee (H. Taylor) was escorted from the field by two police officers as several spectators crowded and heckled him.

The match between Newton and Ponsonby at the Auckland Domain was postponed due to the ground being unfit for play.

[29] After their game Richmond lost captain Jim Parkes who was moving back to Christchurch to join the Hornby club.

The match between Devonport and Grafton was postponed due to the unfit nature of the field at the Auckland Domain.

The games at Carlaw Park were played in poor conditions with all teams covered in mud by the end.

The City v Grafton game at Victoria Park saw a large number of juniors playing for each side, said to be about ten in total with some coming up from as low as the fifth grade.

With three minutes to go M Herewini, the Newton fullback fielded the ball and ran into position about forty yards out and drop kicked a long range goal.

Newton held on to win and with the full time whistle their supporters rushed the field and carrier several players off on their shoulders.

George Morman the Newton captain was concussed and had his jaw broken, Dick Stack fractured his leg above the knee and a paling was torn off the fence to act as a splint.

Ellerslie won the match by 11 points to 3 thus earning themselves a place in A Division and forcing Grafton Athletic to play in the lower grade.

They also complained that they had to get changed underneath a gorse bush while a local official said there was a dressing room at Northcote's disposal.

The Round 15 match between Otahuhu and Northcote at the Auckland Domain was not played due to the condition of the field.

Devonport also won knock out competition (Foster Shield) when they beat Remuera 15 to 7 on October 8 at Carlaw Park.

Devonport United won the Hammill Cup for winning the knockout competition when they beat Grafton Athletic in the final on October 22.

The Auckland teams for the season were to be selected by Ernie Asher, Edward Vincent Fox, and Alan Blakey.

They began the year with a victory over the Auckland representatives of the New Zealand team which had toured the England and recently returned home.

[84] They beat Buller easily but then lost the Northern Union Challenge Cup after a loss to South Auckland.

The 18 man touring side was Charles Gregory, Craddock Dufty, M Little, George Wade, Claude List, Joe Wilson jun., Maurice Wetherill, Stan Prentice, Stan Webb, A McIntyre, Wally Somers, Jim O'Brien (Devonport), Lou Hutt, Alan Clarke, Trevor Hall, Horace Dixon, A Payne, and F Bass.

Several players originally named were unable to make the trip including Hec Brisbane, Riley, Usher, Frank Delgrosso, and J Beattie.

The Buller side was coached by former City Rovers, Auckland, and New Zealand player, Bill Davidson.

In the first half Albert Payne was injured and as there was no forward reserve for Auckland Allan Seagar had to replace him with Lou Hutt moving in to the hooking position.