1927 Auckland Rugby League season
Ellerslie won the Norton Cup by winning the second division competition, known as the B Grade at this time. They were undefeated and also won the Stallard Cup which was the B Grade knockout trophy. Interestingly the league played a 'promotion-relegation' match, with Ellerslie by virtue of winning the Norton Cup for winning the B Grade playing off with Grafton, who had finished last in the A Grade. Ellerslie won 11–3 over Grafton thus winning the right to compete in the A grade competition in the 1928 season. Despite this there was still considerable  discussion at the annual general meeting the following year as to whether or not Ellerslie be admitted to the A Grade. It was eventually decided that they would be, with Grafton dropping to the B Grade. Other trophies awarded (at the 1928 annual general meeting of the Auckland Rugby League) were the Davis Points Shield to Richmond, the Thistle Cup to Newton, and a special cup for the best forward to W.Clark from Newton. Auckland rugby league news. Transfers. A McIntyre who had been playing in Sydney joined the Newton club. Annual meetings of Auckland Rugby League. 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. At the annual meeting of the Junior Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League on 23 March it was stated in their report that junior players exceeded 1,500. It was also reported that the Remuera League Club was being revived. They had fielded two junior teams in 1914, and appeared to have the numbers to enter two junior teams in the 1927 season. On 10 August the Auckland Rugby League Chairman, Mr. W.J. Hammill tendered his resignation  for business reasons. He had occupied the position for five years. He was congratulated on his contribution to the game and made a life member of the League. Mr. George Rhodes was elected as the new chairman of the Management Committee. Representative season. 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. There was some controversy in that Joe Menzies had played for the 'New Zealand team' despite being from the South Auckland (Waikato) province and the New Zealand Rugby League questioned the  Auckland Rugby League on the selection. 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. This meant that there was one less Auckland forward to pick for the match. Auckland won the game 24–21. They went on a southern tour later in the season and played matches against Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, and Wellington. After their return to Auckland they played against Buller and South Auckland. They lost the Northern Union Challenge Cup to South Auckland in their  final game of the season. Obituary. John Albert Endean. John Albert Endean died after a long illness in August. He had been involved in many sports including rowing, rugby union where he played for the City club and was involved as an official later. He was also well involved with the founding of rugby league in Auckland. He was a former vice patron of Auckland Rugby League. He left behind a wife and 5 young daughters. One of his daughters, Joan had ceremonially kicked off the 1926 season at Carlaw Park. Bill Williams. Former New Zealand international and Newton Rangers  and Fire Brigade club footballer Bill Williams was tragically killed on 21 November 1927 aged just 28. The 12 ft mullet yacht he was sailing capsized on its way from Milford on Auckland’s North Shore to Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island. Williams who was said to be a good sailor had persuaded Stanley John Easdown to go with him to Islington Bay to go fishing and shooting. They later saw James Bowman at Milford and he asked them if he could also go. The lone survivor (Easdown) went through harrowing conditions both in the water and once ashore on  Rangitoto Island in an attempt to find help. A search failed to find either William's body or that of James Bowman. WIlliams was a second rower and hooker. He had played 21 matches for New Zealand from 1919 to 1921, 5 matches for Auckland from 1918 to 1921, 59 matches for Newton Rangers from 1915 to 1922 along with 3 games for Fire Brigade in 1921 before transferring back to Newton. Williams was married and living in Takapuna at the time with his wife and family. External links.