North Shore Albions

The North Shore Albions were a rugby league club based on the North Shore of Auckland in Devonport before moving to Bayswater at a later time. They formed in 1909 and folded in the early 2000s due to a lack of playing numbers. At the start of the 1920 season they were renamed Devonport United when they amalgamated with the Sunnyside club.[2] It was proposed at the merger that they be known as North Shore Albions but Sunnyside objected and the name of Devonport United was chosen. In 1937, 17 years later at their annual general meeting they decided to revert to the name "North Shore Albions" as they had been commonly referred to as "shore" for many years.[3] Chairman H. Mann made the proposal and it was adopted by the club. Aside from Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers they were the only club on the North Shore at that time. They closed their doors in 2005.[4] The only remaining club connected to them are the Northern Brothers who are based at Ngataringa Bay Sports Field. Their senior team is an amalgamation of East Coast Bays Barracudas and Glenfield Greyhounds but are based more in the North Shore Albions traditional area which includes the navy ground which has provided many players and teams over the years. The predominant colours are black and green which have been common colours of all the North Shore clubs over the decades.

North Shore Albions
Club information
Full nameNorth Shore Albions Rugby League Football Club
ColoursBlack and White
Founded1909[1]
Exited2005 (2005)
Former details
Ground(s)
  • Bayswater Park
  • Devonport Domain
CompetitionAuckland Rugby League
Records
Premierships1913, 1914, 1928, 1932, 1933, 1941
Runners-up1916, 1924, 1929, 1931, 1939, 1940
Minor premierships1941, 1946, 1955,
Stormont Shield1930, 1931, 1933, 1940, 1945, 1954,
Roope Rooster1915, 1931, 1945, 1954
Norton Cup1931, 1973, 1990, 1991

History

1909-1919
1912 North Shore second grade team. Edward Fox is third from the left in the back row.

They were formed in 1909 when the Auckland Rugby League competition was in its infancy, having its own first General Meeting that same season.

They were officially born on the evening of 23 July 1909 when a meeting was held at the Devonport Council Chambers. The following people were elected officers for the inaugural season: President – Dr. Guinness, Vice Presidents – Dr. Bennett, Captain Pilkington, Mr W. Swinnerton, Mr. A. Goldwater, and Mr. D. W. McLean, Committee – Mr. F. Gladding, Mr. P. Gerrard, Mr. Clark, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Powell, with Mr. A. J. Powley the Secretary and Treasurer.[5]

They played in the first ever rugby league match between two Auckland club teams when they played City Rovers at Eagleton's Paddock in Epsom. North Shore put out a strong side and won the match by 44 points to 22.[6] Their team was made up of the following players: F. Neighbour, F. Gladding, Richard Wynyard, Gerrard, George Seagar, Frank Woodward, Griffin, B. Wells, Allen, C. Wells, Percival, Shaw, McReynolds, Marshall, Powell, William Wynyard, McDonald, and Stevens.

24 July, 1909 North Shore Albions 44–24 City Rovers Eagleton's Paddock, Epsom  
Try: B Wells 2, F Neighbour, Percival, Fred Gladding 2, George Seagar 3
Con: Frank Woodward 7		 [7] Try: Arthur Carlaw, William Tyler, C Linkhorn 2, Len Farrant, Smith
Con: Thomas Houghton, Len Farrant 2		 Referee: Matt Hooper

They also played one match on the Devonport Domain that year against a combined town team which they won by 26 points to 10.[8]

14 August, 1909 North Shore 26-10 Combined Town North Shore Cricket Ground  
3:00 Try: Unknown [9] Try: Unknown

They then finished the year with a match against Newton Rangers at Victoria Park on September 4.

4 September, 1909 Newton Rangers 17–16 North Shore Albions Victoria Park  
3:00 Try: Alf Chorley, William Mackrell 2
Con: D Bradburn 3
Pen: D Bradburn		 [10] Try: Jim Griffen, Williams 2, McReynolds
Con: S Marshall
Pen: F Neighbour

In 1913 North Shore won their first ever first grade championship. They finished the season with a 5 win, 1 draw, 1 loss record, with their 11 competition points three ahead of Newton Rangers, City Rovers, and Ponsonby United all on 8.

18 July Ponsonby 2–13 North Shore Victoria Park  
3:00 Pen: Charles Webb [11] Try: Wynyard, Edward Fox, Stan Weston
Con: Jack Paul 2		 Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Dick Benson

In 1914 North Shore was tied with Ponsonby United after 9 rounds with 15 competition points each. This meant a final was required to find the champion. North Shore won by 13 points to 2 on Victoria Park before a crowd of 7,000.

1920-1929
1928 champion side
1926 Roope Rooster semi final between North Shore and Marist with Jim O'Brien tipped over

The 1920s were a fairly mediocre decade for the North Shore senior side. They finished in the middle of the table most years, though in 1924 Marist Old Boys had 21 competition points and North Shore had 23 competition points but North Shore had played one extra game. The Auckland Rugby League decided that the two sides should meet in a final to decide the title.

Marist won a gripping game 20-17 to deny North Shore their third first grade championship.

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		 [12] Try: Bert Laing, A Harper, Harry Douglas
Con: Bert Laing, Alf Scott
Pen: Bert Laing 2		 Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Bill Murray

North Shore won the first grade championship for the 3rd time in 1928. At this time it was named the Monteith Shield and was replaced by the Fox Memorial Shield in 1931. They had a 9 win, 3 loss record and finished 3 competition points ahead of the Richmond Rovers. The following year in 1929 they were tied with Ponsonby United after the final round so a final was played however they lost 5-0 before 11,000 at Carlaw Park.

10 August Ponsonby 5–0 Devonport Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: George Gardiner
Pen: Frank Delgrosso		 [13] Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Les Bull

1930-1939

In 1931 North Shore played against Eastern Suburbs from Sydney. The match was played on October 10 at Carlaw Park before a crowd of 17,000. North Shore lost a high scoring match by 41 points to 27.

10 October Devonport 27–41 Eastern Suburbs Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Dick Smith, Allan Seagar, H Simpson, Len Scott, Albert Laing
Con: Dick Smith 4
Pen: Dick Smith 2		 [14] Try: Ernie Norman, Morrie Boyle 2, Dick Brown, Dave Brown, Les Rogers 2, Viv Thicknesse, Fred Tottey
Con: Morrie Boyle 6, Dave Brown		 Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Les Bull

Then a week later on October 17 a combined North Shore and Marist side played the same opponent and won 14 to 13 before 15,000 at Carlaw Park.

17 October Devonport-Marist 14–13 Eastern Suburbs Carlaw Park 1  
3:15 Try: Len Scott, Hec Brisbane
Con: Alan Clarke
Pen: Alan Clarke 3		 [15] Try: Dave Brown 2, Fred Tottey
Con: Morrie Boyle 2		 Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Percy Rogers

1940-1949
North Shore Albions Fox Memorial champions in 1941
North Shore after winning the 1941 Rukutai Shield (awarded to the team leading after the first round).

In 1940 North Shore won the Stormont Shield for the fourth time in their history. They defeated Richmond Rovers 15-10 in the final at Carlaw Park in front of 5,000 spectators.

5 October North Shore 15–10 Richmond Carlaw Park 1  
3:00 Try: Ted Scott, Graham, Davis
Con: Jack Smith
Pen: Jack Smith 2		 [16] Try: Dave Solomon, Jack McLeod
Con: Jack McLeod 2		 Attendance: 5000
Referee: G Kelly

North Shore won the Fox Memorial once again in 1941.

Titles

They were particularly successful in their early years. They won the senior grade 6 times from 1913 to 1941, while they won the minor premiership (Rukutai Shield) 3 times from 1941 to 1955.[17] As Auckland grew and the North Shore gentrified North Shore struggled to remain the power house it once was and it dropped down the grades. Its last notable title was the Norton Cup which they won in 1990 and 1991.

Notable representatives

New Zealand representatives whilst with North Shore
Ronald 'Scotchy' MacDonald
William Thomas Wynyard
Neville St George
Grave of Stanley Webb in the Birkenhead/Glenfield Cemetery
Len Scott

Other New Zealand representatives
Bob Banham

A list of New Zealand representatives who played for North Shore prior to, or after leaving the club. Bob Banham joined the club as a coach after being recruited by Auckland Rugby League from Australia.

Other notable players

North Shore Senior Team Records (1910-1945, 1990, 1992-1994)

The season record for the most senior men’s team in the club.

Season Grade Name Played W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams)
19101st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions811641119-7834th of 4
19111st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions730480688863rd of 5
19121st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions1051412911118142nd of 6
19131st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions7511805525111st of 6
19141st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions108111353897171st of 6
19151st Grade North Shore Albions94147683-794th of 6
19161st Grade North Shore Albions107121345777152nd of 6
19171st Grade North Shore Albions94058491-784th of 6
19181st Grade North Shore Albions3003230-2806th of 6 (withdrew after 3 games)
19191st Grade (Myers Cup) North Shore Albions104159594195th of 8
19201st Grade (Myers Cup) Devonport United1242698151-53105th of 7
19211st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United710661132-7126th of 7
19221st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United1471622319429154th of 8
19231st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United12606135141-6124th of 7
19241st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United16111427219181232nd of 9 (lost 20-17 v Marist in a playoff)
19251st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United12507174207-33104th of 7
19261st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United1150622314974104th of 7
19271st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United1270520711493143rd of 7
19281st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United1290322414918181st of 7
19291st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United151113236113123232nd of 8
19301st Grade (Monteith Shield) Devonport United1380515112823163rd of 8
19311st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United1210021789286202nd of 7
19321st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United1072113010426161st of 6
19331st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United1071214212913151st of 6
19341st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United13517100130-30114th of 6
19351st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United12525150154-4123rd of 7
19361st Grade (Fox Memorial) Devonport United1464418415034163rd of 8
19371st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions14419148220-7296th of 8
19381st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions15609202221-19127th of 9
19391st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions16101519615343212nd of 9
19401st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions161105263161102222nd of 9
19411st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions161312304138166271st of 9
19421st Grade (Fox Memorial) Marist-North Shore154011126237-11186th of 6
19431st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions152112123259-13659th of 9
19441st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions185211158207-49128th of 10
19451st Grade (Fox Memorial) North Shore Albions14617138197-59127th of 10
-Roope Rooster North Shore Albions3300573918-W 17-15 v Pt Chevalier, W 17-12 v Mt Albert, W GF v Richmond 22-12
-Stormont Shield North Shore Albions1100221210-W 22-12 v Richmond
1990Waste Management Division 3 North Shore Albions211902610221276%381st of 8
-Playoffss North Shore Albions2002----Lost major SF v Waitematā by 1 pt, lost major SF v Gelnfield
1992Strand League Club Premier 2/3 Grading North Shore Albions1340920737954.6%811th of 14
-Strand League Club Premier 3 North Shore Albions631210280127.5%73rd of 7
-Playoffs North Shore Albions2101122--W v Ōtara 12-2 in minor SF, L v Glenfield in major SF
1993Projex Premier 2/3 Grading North Shore Albions151104392281139.5%223rd of 15
-Projex Premier 2 North Shore Albions730411518063.9%65th of 8
1994Premier 2 North Shore Albions261817654409159.9375th of 14
-Playoffs North Shore Albions21013421161.9-W v Manurewa 22-6 in minor SF, L v Waitematā 12-15 in major SF
1910-45, 1990, 1992-94 TOTAL5472933222282577027-607

Top point scorers and try scorers (1909-1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from matches played in the first grade championship, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield and Stormont Shield matches which involved all first grade sides. It does not include additional one off type matches such as those against non-Auckland teams or charity matches. Len Scott scored 99 tries for North Shore in 1st grade competition games but scored 8 other tries in matches for North Shore in other fixtures for 108 total tries.

Club Titles

Grade championships and lower grade knockout competitions (1910-1944)
  • 1911 Third Grade Open
  • 1912 Fourth Grade
  • 1913 First Grade
  • 1914 First Grade
  • 1916 Fifth Grade
  • 1917 Fifth Grade & Sixth Grade A
  • 1918 Third Grade Open
  • 1923 Fourth Grade A
  • 1926 Second Grade
  • 1927 Second Grade (Wright Cup), Second Grade knockout (Foster Shield). Fourth Grade knockout, and Sixth Grade knockout (Hammill Cup).
  • 1928 First Grade & Second Grade
  • 1929 Second Grade, Third Grade Intermediate, & Fourth Grade A
  • 1931 Reserve Grade
  • 1932 First Grade
  • 1933 First Grade & Sixth Grade A
  • 1936 Schoolboys Intermediate
  • 1937 Seventh Grade
  • 1941 First Grade

Other titles
  • 1915 Roope Rooster
  • 1930 Stormont Shield
  • 1931 Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, & Norton Cup
  • 1933 Stormont Shield
  • 1940 Stormont Shield
  • 1945 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1954 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1973 Norton Cup
  • 1990 Norton Cup
  • 1991 Norton Cup
Devonport v Ponsonby, 15 June, 1919
Crowd watching Devonport at Carlaw Park on 6 July 1919
Devonport v Marist, Roope Rooster match in 1926 at Carlaw Park.
Devonport v Richmond, 17 September 1927
Devonport v Marist (Stormont Shield final), 13 October, 1928
Devonport senior side of 1929
Devonport v Ponsonby, 29 April 1929 at Carlaw Park
Devonport v City Rovers, 18 May 1929
Devonport v City Rovers, 18 May 1929
Devonport supporters at the match v Ponsonby on 15 June 1929
Ponsonby v Devonport, 10 August 1929
Devonport v Kingsland, 5 May 1930
Devonport v Newton, 11 May 1931
Combined Devonport-Marist side v Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), 17 October 1931
Devonport v Newton, 18 May, 1935
Horace Hunt, North Shore Albions captain in the early 1940s

References
  1. "The Northern Union Game/Auckland Rugby Football League". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVI, no. 14117. 20 July 1920. p. 7. Retrieved 13 November 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  2. "Two Clubs Amalgamate". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LVII, no. 17436. 5 March 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 10 August 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  3. "Devonport United/North Shore Albions". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVIII, no. 65. 5 March 1920. p. 23. Retrieved 25 March 2020 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  4. "New Acquisitions" (PDF). Devonport Historical and Museum Society Newsletter. Vol. 6, no. 2. 1 October 2005. p. 2. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  5. "Northern Union Football". Auckland Star. Vol. XL, no. 174. 23 July 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  6. "Northern Union Game/First League Match/Some Heavy Scoring". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVI, no. 14122. 26 July 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 1 October 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  7. "City v North Shore/Win for the Shore". Auckland Star. Vol. XL, no. 176. 26 July 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  8. "The Northern Union Game/North Shore V Combined Town". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLVI, no. 14140. 16 August 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 1 October 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
  9. "The Northern Union Game". New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14140. 16 August 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  10. "Northern Union Game". Auckland Star. Vol. XL, no. 212. 6 September 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  11. "The Championship Final/Won by North Shore/A Record Attendance". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LI, no. 15665. 20 July 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  12. "League Championship". New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18826. 29 September 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  13. "Championship to Ponsonby/Victory Over Devonport/Marist Gains Another Win". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXVI, no. 20331. 12 August 1929. p. 13. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  14. "Fast League Match/Win for Eastern Suburbs/Devonport Team Well Beaten/Forty-One Points to 27". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXVIII, no. 21001. 12 October 1931. p. 11. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  15. "Close League Match/Success of Combined Team/Victory by Single Point/Eastern Suburbs Defeated". New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXVIII, no. 21007. 19 October 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  16. "Splendid Recovery Staged". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXVII, no. 23780. 7 October 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  17. "The 'Knockout' Competition/Champions Beaten by Newton/City Defeat Ponsonby". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. L, no. 15335. 23 June 1913. p. 9. Retrieved 12 August 2019 – via National Library of New Zealand.
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