General 2016 Auckland Rugby League Competition

[mt.wellington]

I heard the new premz coach wanted to bring some U 18's and 20's up but got road blocked by the coaches who wanted to win the championship for that grade; pretty sad they couldn't see the bigger picture.

Was speaking to a committee member about that. One of the junior coaches went so far as to recruit top players from other clubs just to beef up his squad. They have dominated the comp this year. I think he fancies himself as a bit of a Wayne Bennett when he should also be trying to develop these kids.

Sad to see the once proud Auckland competitions struggling. Oats was a mighty club, all their sides through the grades were strong and disciplined. I remember first watching them when they had the likes of Ernie Wiggs , Eddie Heatly, Paul Matete , Shane Dowset? , Bob Jarvis and then Mark Graham, Terry Whittle , Owen Wright and Hugh McGahan among others. Club games were almost a derby each weekend. Ponsonby beat Cronulla in the seventies in one of the best games on Carlaw Park I ever saw. The following year they sent the Roosters ( Easts ) out to play Otahuhu, then Fox holders. Oats won a tight game. That's how good club football was. I can't remember 50 point margins between Fox teams. Promotion relegation was also keenly fought with the usual Sharman Cup suspects battling to beat the bottom Fox sides to go up. I know some players got a few hundred dollars and some clubs paid a win bonus but club loyalty was fairly robust. If you moved about for the money you were soon found out. Most clubs built their sides via the junior ranks. How times have changed.

Great post man. Bit before my time but I have heard all the stories. Old Graeme Lowe cut his teeth at Oats before he went on to become a supercoach. Worked at Terry Whittle's house and the guy is loaded these days. Runs a truck hiab business with about 30 units. He was still playing masters last time I spoke to him. Oats was pretty powerful back then and only really started going down in the last 15 years or so. They simply dont have the money to compete. Truth is if they did they would be doing exactly what the money clubs are doing now. They've certainly done it in the past when they did have the funds...

 

[Weno]

Loyalty is what it is all about these days.
This new era of teen is a different brand from ours and them before us.
Where you came from mattered.
Ngaruawahia is a proud community who come together for a lot of things.
But when it comes to rugby league.
We have the Pa side, Turangawaewae Rugby League. Home of Penrith Panther Te Maare Martin and Waikato Rugby Leagues most successful Premiere title holder.
And us (Ngaruawahia Panthers), The town side.
We are raised on this loyalty to which side we grow up on. The odd few swap over every now and then.
But it is what keeps our clubs strong.
If you ever catch wind of a Battle of the Bridge game down here. I am telling you, it is a great game to play in and watch.

 

[dean]

A little bit off topic but may be of interest.
League has always been a working class game. I remember when most sides were mainly white with a few maori and the odd islander. The exception was probably Marist and Richmond to a lesser degree. Team supporters and players often came from a large employer or industry. Everyone was a union member then and some unions were very active in the Auckland League scene. Especially the Drivers Union with Bill Andersson who was an avid fan , coach etc. The Wharfies were also prominent as where the railwaymen at Otahuhu. Ponsonby had the wharfies support, later on Ponsonby-Maritime , Otahuhu, the railways and City Newton the drivers. City was also the home of the ' Freemans Bay Boy's ", those that came from the Bay area during and after the 1951 Waterfront lockout. These were pretty tough characters and they carried that onto the field on Saturday's, sometimes to settle old scores and disputes. As sponsorship arrived larger employers sometimes became sponsors and provided work to players. Pengelly's Transport or trucking did this with Te Atatu in the eighties. The Mad Butcher sponsored Mangere East from the seventies I think starting with Rosella Meats.
Sadly, this old commaraderie has all gone as the structure of our community and wider society plays homage to the dollar.

 

[bruce]

Ponsonby beat Cronulla in the seventies in one of the best games on Carlaw Park I ever saw.

To be fair Cronulla had been out on the town for most of the night, but yes it was a very good game. I don't think the Ponies played that well again ever.

I remember first watching them when they had the likes of Ernie Wiggs , Eddie Heatly, Paul Matete , Shane Dowset? , Bob Jarvis and then Mark Graham, Terry Whittle , Owen Wright and Hugh McGahan among others.

Murray Wright, Nicky Wright, they were a great club...to beat

 

[bruce]

Pengelly's Transport or trucking did this with Te Atatu in the eighties.

Before that he ploughed heaps into Ponsonby. A genuine league fan.

 

[ramraider78]

I'm definitely gonna tape the game tomorrow - Kevin Locke is running out for Northcote to help them avoid relegation, gotta love that when a junior answers a call for help - don't think he's playing for free but good on him ; I wonder if Paul Rauhihi run's out as a last minute call up for Tigers lol I heard George Carmont is playing for Otahuhu tomorrow and another ring in who's been called up at the last minute; a bit of buzz for Fox tomorrow - Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Leopards have never been relegated to Shaman???

 

[bruce]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Leopards have never been relegated to Shaman???

I don't know, but many top clubs have been, Northcote and Richmond definitely have, it isn't the end of the world.

 

[mt.wellington]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Leopards have never been relegated to Shaman???

Thats what Ive always been led to believe and something the club are very proud of. Only club that hasnt.

it isn't the end of the world.

For Otahuhu it will definitely seem like it...

 

[bruce]

Thats what Ive always been led to believe and something the club are very proud of. Only club that hasnt.

Sorry Welly, but this is what Wiki says:
Sharman Cup Winners 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1950

The Proud History of the Otahuhu Rugby League Club

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, Auckland. Their proud history is internationally recognised as the most successful rugby league club in New Zealand having produced 49 Kiwi’s, 11 Auckland Warriors as well as a host of NRL and Super League players since it was first founded in 1911.

48 Richmond Juniors have played for the New Zealand Kiwis including Nigel Vagana, Fred Ah Kuoi, Steve Matai, David Solomona and Evarn Tuimavave. In addition 19 women have represented the New Zealand Women's team.

Between the years 1909 and 1986 Ponsonby developed 48 players that gained New Zealand Representative status.

I reckon we could get Francis Payne to do a recount of all those Kiwis, even if he is a Ponsonby man.

 

[mt.wellington]

Sorry Welly, but this is what Wiki says:
Sharman Cup Winners 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1950

The Proud History of the Otahuhu Rugby League Club

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, Auckland. Their proud history is internationally recognised as the most successful rugby league club in New Zealand having produced 49 Kiwi’s, 11 Auckland Warriors as well as a host of NRL and Super League players since it was first founded in 1911.

48 Richmond Juniors have played for the New Zealand Kiwis including Nigel Vagana, Fred Ah Kuoi, Steve Matai, David Solomona and Evarn Tuimavave. In addition 19 women have represented the New Zealand Women's team.

Between the years 1909 and 1986 Ponsonby developed 48 players that gained New Zealand Representative status.

I reckon we could get Francis Payne to do a recount of all those Kiwis, even if he is a Ponsonby man.

Sharman Cup wasnt what it is today back then. I stand by what I say. For now . Will be going to the game tomorrow so will ask some of the life members. If they uppercut me it'll be all your fault ...

 

[bruce]

Sharman Cup wasnt what it is today back then.

Mate those ARL trophies have never changed, I know, they used to have all the records in a room aside the players entrance at Carlaw Park, the old wooden stand that had rugby league ghosts everywhere, now get your mother to change your nappies and off to bed.

 

[mt.wellington]

Mate those ARL trophies have never changed

Not entirely correct. Im sure the Sharman Cup was for the Sharman Minor Premiers???

 

[bruce]

Not entirely correct. Im sure the Sharman Cup was for the Sharman Minor Premiers???

Championship and Minor Championship might only be the diference between a play off or points winners. I am not an Otahuhu fan so it doesn't matter.
Hey if you are going to Otahuhu try and find out what Murray Wright is up to these days. He was a bloody good hooker who got a few games for the Kiwis and then went to play in England, one of the first to do so in the seventies. Ask him how he got his arm broken in a scrum, they were tough in the front row then.

 

[ramraider78]

Sharman Cup wasnt what it is today back then. I stand by what I say. For now . Will be going to the game tomorrow so will ask some of the life members. If they uppercut me it'll be all your fault ...

I'm sure it's gonna be a big crowd toko - there's a few from our club going down to watch; I should be there for the 2nd half on the hill I'll keep an eye out for you

 

[mt.wellington]

I'm sure it's gonna be a big crowd toko - there's a few from our club going down to watch; I should be there for the 2nd half on the hill I'll keep an eye out for you

Man I was only gonna watch the first half then gap it to the Warriors game. Nah all good toko. I'll be hearty Otablu and see it through. I'll be up at the Mobil end, the drink your own box end lol.

The clubs having a sook cause Knobbys playing and apparently they have 6 new players coming in to help. Gonna be a goody...

 

[bruce]

Man I was only gonna watch the first half then gap it to the Warriors game.

That means a big win for the Warriors then

 

[mt.wellington]

Sadly the Leopards lost to the Tigers. Kevin Locke played but he was by no means the difference. Oats had their opportunities but poor ball handling ruined their chances.

I asked around bruce and apparently since the club have been in the Fox comp they have never been relegated. So they may have been in the Sharman Cup during the early years but since being in the Fox they have never been back down.

Was pretty quiet at the club tonight as most came to the realisation that the club may indeed play in the Sharman next year. Went to the Warriors game then to the Otahuhu cossie club after and there was a lot of finger pointing and what ifs. End of the day the club should never have been put in this position. They still have a chance against higher placed teams to avoid relegation but the chances are very slim.

Sad day for what was once a mighty club...

 

[bruce]

Sadly the Leopards lost to the Tigers. Kevin Locke played but he was by no means the difference. Oats had their opportunities but poor ball handling ruined their chances.

I asked around bruce and apparently since the club have been in the Fox comp they have never been relegated. So they may have been in the Sharman Cup during the early years but since being in the Fox they have never been back down.

Was pretty quiet at the club tonight as most came to the realisation that the club may indeed play in the Sharman next year. Went to the Warriors game then to the Otahuhu cossie club after and there was a lot of finger pointing and what ifs. End of the day the club should never have been put in this position. They still have a chance against higher placed teams to avoid relegation but the chances are very slim.

Sad day for what was once a mighty club...

Somebody wins, somebody loses, thanks for the post Welly, did you ask about Murray Wright?

 

[mt.wellington]

Somebody wins, somebody loses, thanks for the post Welly, did you ask about Murray Wright?

Knew I was forgetting something. Will ask at the last home game in a fortnight...

 

[dean]

To be fair Cronulla had been out on the town for most of the night, but yes it was a very good game. I don't think the Ponies played that well again ever.

Murray Wright, Nicky Wright, they were a great club...to beat

The memory is a bit flogged but I remember Murray Wright and Nick ' the greek' Wright. Another I forgot is Roy Christian. I agree, Ponsonby never went so well as that Cronulla victory but that and the Otahuhu win plus the Auckland wins over touring international sides in the mid week games show just how good the Fox Memorial competition was. Some Kiwi's couldn't make the Auckland rep team.