Marist Saints

The Marist Saints is a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. They currently compete in the top grade in Auckland Rugby League, the Fox Memorial Premiership.

History

Founded in 1919, the Marist club first won the Fox Memorial in 1924. They originally played at the Auckland Domain before moving to their current home, in Murray Halberg Park. Their lower grade teams now also play matches at Margaret Griffen Park in Lynfield.

First season and match

In 1919 Marist entered teams in first grade and also in the second grade. The second grade side defaulted their first match and then withdrew from the competition.
On May 3, 1919, Marist played in their first ever match. It was played at Victoria Park on the #2 field against Newton Rangers. There were 4,500 spectators to watch the match which was played simultaneously with the Maritime v City Rovers match on the adjacent field. Marist lost 28–3 with Petterson scoring their only points through a try. They struggled throughout the season losing all their first grade matches.

First win in first grade competition (Roope Rooster)

They had their first win in a first grade competition in the first round of the Roope Rooster competition on July 26, 1919. They defeated North Shore Albions on Auckland Domain by 17 points to 3.

First win in first grade

In 1920 Marist entered teams in the first grade, second grade, and fourth grade. Their second grade side withdrew after 11 rounds, while their fourth grade side withdrew after 2 rounds. Their first grade team drew in round 2 against Newton Rangers but then had their first ever win in the first grade championship (Monteith Shield) when they defeated Grafton Athletic 15–3 at Victoria Park. Bill Stormont and Billy Ghent scored tries and A. Eustace kicked a goal. They ultimately won 7 games along with their draw and finished third in the seven team competition.

2000 to 2005

Between 2000 and 2005 the Saints were involved in the Bartercard Cup alongside the Richmond Bulldogs as the Marist Richmond Brothers.

Notable Players

New Zealand representatives

Kiwi representative number in square brackets:

* William "Bill" Stormont 40(1920) (62 matches for Marist from 1920 to 1924)
*Hec Brisbane 53(1924–32) (158 matches for Marist from 1923 to 1934)
*Jim O'Brien 57(1924–28) (92 matches for Marist from 1924 to 1930)
* Lyall Stewart 63(1924) (15 matches for Marist in 1924)
* Charles "Pope" Gregory 71(1925–30) (87 matches for Marist from 1924 to 1931)
*Jack Kirwan 74(1925–27) (40 matches for Marist from 1924 to 1928)
*Arthur Singe 79(1925–26) (48 matches for Marist from 1921 to 1926)
*Claude List 90* Wilfrid Hassan 21(1932) (94 matches for Marist from 1928 to 1934)
* Gordon "Stump" Campbell 23(93 matches for Marist)
* Norm Campbell 24(104 matches for Marist)
*Jim Laird 26(56 matches for Marist)
*Alan Clarke 27(69 matches for Marist)
*John Anderson 56*Robert Grotte 60(37 matches for Marist)
* Gordon Midgely 63* William "George" Davidson 02*Des Barchard 07* Harry "Doug" Anderson 11* Robert "Jimmy" Edwards 31* Ronald McKay 44*Neville Denton 59*Brian Reidy 83* William "Bill" Schultz 94* Paul Schultz 34* Oscar Danielson 54* Anthony "Tony" Kriletich 59*Gene Ngamu 42*Motu Tony 86*Francis Meli 89*Sonny Bill Williams 06*Roy Asotasi 10*Jerome Ropati 16* Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa 66* David Ue'ikaetau Fusitu'a 99*Tuimoala Lolohea 91

Other New Zealand rugby league representatives

Includes players who played for New Zealand but not while at the Marist club
* Bob Mitchell 7(2 matches for Marist in 1919)
*Neville St George 78(15 matches for Marist from 1919 to 1921)
*Ernie Herring 12(4 matches for Marist in 1921)
* John Lang 27(38 matches for Marist from 1921 to 1924)
*Nelson Bass 37(24 matches for Marist from 1922 to 1923)
* Norm Loveridge 41(24 matches for Marist from 1920 to 1922)
* George Gardiner 85(13 matches for Marist in 1924)

Notable former juniors include Roy Asotasi, Sonny Bill Williams, Jerome Ropati, Motu Tony, Francis Meli, Gene Ngamu, Rudi Wulf, Ben Waerea-Fisher, Siuatonga Likiliki, Manu Ma'u, Bill Tupou, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa, David Fusitua, Mason Lino, Tuimoala Lolohea, Delouise Hoeter, Adam Tuimavave Gerrard, Lamar Liolevave, Anthony Swann, Des Barchard.

Other notable players

Johnny Simpson played for Marist seniors from 1941 to 1944 and was a junior there. He switched codes in the mid-1940s and became an All Black in 1947, playing 30 matches for New Zealand up until 1950.

Marist Senior Team Records (1919-1944 + 2022)

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

Club Titles

Marist Saints grade championships (1919-1942)

* 1924 First Grade
* 1930 Fifth Grade
* 1931 First Grade, Third Grade Open, Fourth Grade, & Fifth Grade
* 1933 Third Grade Open, & Fourth Grade
* 1934 Third Grade Intermediate
* 1935 Reserve Grade
* 1938 First Grade

Other titles

* 1928 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1929 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1932 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1937 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1939 Roope Rooster
* 1946 Roope Rooster
* 1950 Stormont Shield
* 1958 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1965 Stormont Shield
* 1966 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
* 1971 Roope Rooster
* 1992 Sharman Cup
* 1997 Roope Rooster

All time top point scorers (1919-1943)

The point scoring lists are compiled from matches played in matches from the first grade championship, the Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield, and Sharman Cup only. One-off matches and exhibition matches are not included. The statistics for the combined Marist-North Shore team of 1942 are included.

Gallery

Image:Marist1920.jpg, 1920 ''Marist Saints'' Senior Championship runners up.
Image:Marist1920super.jpg,
Image:Marist1924.jpg, Seniors 1924 ''Marist Saints'' Senior Championship Winners.
Image:Marist1924super.jpg,
Image:Marist1928.jpg, 1928 Senior Marist Winners Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield and Labour Day Knockout comp.
Image:Marist1928super.jpg,
Image:Marist1929.jpg, 1929 Senior Marist Winners Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield and Thistle Cup.
Image:Marist1929super.jpg,
Image:Marist1932.jpg, 1932 Senior Marist Winners Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield.
Image:Marist1932super.jpg,
Image:Kiwis1932.jpg, alt=New Zealand Third test team versus England at Carlaw Park August 20, 1932.
Image:Kiwis1932super.jpg,
Image:MaristvSouthSydneyCarlawPark1929.jpg, Marist versus South Sydney at Carlaw Park October 12, 1929.

References

External links

Official ARL Site

{{Rugby League in Auckland

Rugby clubs established in 1919
1919 establishments in New Zealand