Bill Walsh (rugby league)

[1] Indeed, he was to debut for their senior side this year playing alongside Kiwi legend Thomas McClymont.

Ponsonby won 11–0 to bring the trophy to Auckland where it would remain for several years until a ruling by New Zealand rugby league.

They ruled that the trophy had originally been donated and intended to be played for by rugby league teams in the South Island.

His New Zealand debut was against New South Wales Firsts in an 18–23 defeat on June 17 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of 46,157 spectators.

Walsh was paired with the prolific Karl Ifwersen in the halves and New Zealand ran the New South Wales team close before going down 19–22.

Walsh played for Auckland on August 20 against King Country at the newly opened Carlaw Park.

[12] On April 1, 1923 Walsh was involved in a serious boating accident on the Tairua Bar which claimed the lives of 4 people.

The deceased were William Southernwood (a Ponsonby teammate), H Chappell, T Culhane, and N Robson all of Auckland.

[13][14] Cory-Wright then managed to put a life belt over Walsh's shoulders and kept him afloat until they could be pulled onboard.

[15] Prime Minister William Massey telegraphed to Tairua his sincere sympathy from himself and his wife for the bereaved relatives.

[17] In 1928 Walsh turned out for a charity “Old Timers’ Match” as curtain raiser to the Newton Rangers v Ponsonby United Roope Rooster semi-final replay.