The City Newton Dragons are a defunct New Zealand rugby league club that was based at

Victoria Park, Auckland Victoria Park is a park and sports ground in the Auckland city centre, New Zealand. It was opened in 1905 and named after the queen who had died four years earlier. It lies on reclaimed bay land in Freemans Bay, a suburb directly west of th ...

. The club was created in 1948 by a merger of two original clubs, the City Rovers and Newton Rangers. Both the Rovers and the Rangers participated in the inaugural

Auckland Rugby League The Auckland Rugby League (ARL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region, including both club and school rugby league. It began in 1910 when the fi ...

competition in 1910. In 2004, the club was absorbed by the Ponsonby Ponies, who play a match in the City Newton colours annually to keep the heritage of the club alive.

History

City Rovers

The City Rovers were formed in the days following the formation of the

on 19 July 1909. In their first year City played against the Ponsonby Ponies, City included Ernie and

Albert Asher Arapeta Paurini Wharepapa (3 December 1879 – 8 January 1965), or Albert Asher as he was more commonly known, was a New Zealand List of dual-code rugby internationals, dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballe ...

Jim Rukutai Puhipi James Rukutai (1877 – 11 January 1940) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) and coached New Zealand. The Auckland Rugby League's minor premiership, the Ruku ...

and

Alex Stanaway Alexander William Stanaway (14 July 1886 – 27 June 1972), also known as Ariki Haira, was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand. His brother, Jack Stanaway, was also a professional r ...

. City won the

's first competition, being awarded the Myers Cup in

1910 Events January * January 13 – The first public radio broadcast takes place; live performances of the operas '' Cavalleria rusticana'' and ''Pagliacci'' are sent out over the airwaves, from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York C ...

.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 ''New Zealand Rugby League'', 1990. p.72 The Cup had been donated by Arthur Myers.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009'', 2009. . City again won premierships in 1911, 1916, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1944. In

1921 Events January * January 2 ** The Association football club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, from Belo Horizonte, is founded as the multi-sports club Palestra Italia by Italian expatriates in First Brazilian Republic, Brazil. ** The Spanish lin ...

they completed a unique treble by also winning the Roope Rooster and Thacker Shield in the same year.

Newton Rangers

The Newtown Rangers were formed in the days following the formation of the

on 19 July 1909. They lost to Ponsonby United 6–16 on 21 August at

Victoria Park Victoria Park may refer to: Places Australia * Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a protected area in Northern Rivers region, New South Wales * Victoria Park, Adelaide, a park and racecourse * Victoria Park, Brisbane, a public park and former golf ...

. The club won premierships in

1912 Events January * January 1 – The Republic of China (1912–49), Republic of China is established. * January 5 – The Prague Conference (6th All-Russian Conference of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party) opens. * January 6 ...

and

1927 Events January * January 1 – The British Broadcasting ''Company'' becomes the British Broadcasting ''Corporation'', when its Royal Charter of incorporation takes effect. John Reith becomes the first Director-General. * January 7 * ...

and they won the Roope Rooster in

1919 Events January * January 1 ** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Pressburg (now Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia. ** HMY ''Iolaire'' sinks off the c ...

1920 Events January * January 1 ** Polish–Soviet War in 1920: The Russian Red Army increases its troops along the Polish border from 4 divisions to 20. ** Kauniainen, completely surrounded by the city of Espoo, secedes from Espoo as its own ma ...

and

1935 Events January * January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude Franco-Italian Agreement of 1935, an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims. * ...

. In

they won the Stormont Shield defeating Richmond 25-17 in the final.

1948-2004

The City Rovers and Newton Rangers clubs amalgamated to form City Newton in 1948.City Newton made up of City Rovers and Newton Rangers
''aucklandleague.co.nz'' During the 1960s the Auckland Rugby League instituted a districts programme and Ellerslie, City Newton and

Eastern Suburbs Eastern Suburbs may refer to: Places *Eastern Suburbs (Mumbai), India *Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), Australia **Eastern Suburbs railway line, Sydney, Australia Sports clubs ;Association football *Eastern Suburbs AFC, Auckland, New Zealand * Eastern ...

combined to form ''Eastern Districts''. The combination won almost every trophy between 1960 and 1963 before the clubs regained their separate identities. In 2001 City Newton competed in the Auckland Rugby League's second division, the Sharman Cup. The City Newton Sports Club Incorporated was struck off as an Incorporated Society on 17 June 2004.City Newton Sports Club Incorporated, number 230206
''business.govt.nz''

Notable players

The following players played for the New Zealand national rugby league team while with the club;

City Rovers Kiwis

Players who played for New Zealand while playing for City Rovers. In brackets is the year that they first appeared for New Zealand while also playing for Newton. *

(1910) *

Ernie Asher Ernest "Ernie" Asher (21 April 1886 – 10 April 1973), also known as Te Keepa Pouwhiuwhiu, was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand Māori and New Zealan ...

(1910) *

Sid Kean Sid Kean was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Kean played for the City Rovers in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 1910 he was part of the Auckland side that toured the country, playing match ...

(1911) * Frank Morse (1911) *

(1911) *

(1911) * Bob Mitchell (1912) * Bill Davidson (1919) *

Bert Laing Henry Bircher "Bert" LaingLAING, Henry Bircher (Bert) 1 ...

(1919) * Ivan Stewart (1919) *

Tom Haddon Arthur Thompson "Tom" Haddon (6 March 1886 — 26 July 1976) was a New Zealand rugby league player. He was Kiwi number 136 after playing two tests for New Zealand against Australia in 1919. Early life Arthur Thompson Haddon was born in Yorksh ...

(1919) * George Paki (1921) * Harry Tancred (1921) * Maurice Wetherill (1924) *

Hec McDonald Hec McDonald was a rugby league player from New Zealand. In 1924 he represented New Zealand in 3 tests against England and in so doing became Kiwi number 165. Playing career Waikato beginnings Hec McDonald began playing rugby league around the ...

(1924) *

Lou Brown Lou Brown (born 1978) is an English singer-songwriter who received the 2003 Southwest's Young Achiever of the Year Award and took part in the Prince's Trust's "Soundlive" programme, where she was offered the opportunity to learn skills from prof ...

(1925) *

Ben Davidson Benjamin Earl Davidson (June 14, 1940 – July 2, 2012) was an American football player, a defensive end best known for his play with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League (AFL). Earlier in his career, he was with the Green Bay ...

(1926) *

Stan Clark Stanley Clark was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Stan Clark began his senior rugby league career with the Parnell club. He played in their top side in 1927 and 28 which was in the Senior B grade ...

(1930) *

Len Barchard Leonard Barchard (3 February 1909 – 14 July 1975) represented the New Zealand rugby league team in 1930, becoming the 203rd Kiwi. He played one match on their tour of Australia and another against Auckland on his return. He also played for Au ...

(1930) * Steve Watene (1930) *

Hawea Mataira Hawea Karepa Mataira (3 December 1910 – 15 November 1979) was a dual-code rugby football player who represented New Zealand in both rugby union and rugby league. Rugby union career Mataira made his first class debut in 1931 and in 1932 made ...

(1939)

Newton Rangers Kiwis

Len Mason, Lou Brown, F Brown and Wilson Hall

Players who played for New Zealand while playing for Newton Rangers. In brackets is the year that they first appeared for New Zealand while also playing for Newton.

(pictured) played for Newton in 1922-23 before transferring to City and then being selected for New Zealand in 1925. * Thomas Houghton (1909) * Arthur Francis (1911) *

George A. Gillett George Arthur Gillett (23 April 1877 – 12 September 1956) was a New Zealand multi-code footballer of the early 20th century and a dual-code rugby international. Gillett died in 1956 in Onehunga. Early years Born in Leeston, Gillett received h ...

(1911) *

Billy Curran Billy Curran is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Curran was playing rugby union in Auckland before switching codes and joining the Newton Rangers. He played one match for Newton on June 8 against Manuk ...

(1912) *

Billy Dervan Billy Dervan is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career From Auckland, Dervan was selected on the 1912 New Zealand tour of Australia. No test matches were played on this tour. He had originally played rugby ...

(1912) * George Cook (1913) *

Bill Cloke Ernest William "Bill" Cloke was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand. Playing career Bill Cloke began his career playing for Otahuhu Leopards, Otahuhu United in 1916 playing 11 m ...

(1919) * Wally Somers (1919) * Bill Williams (1919) * Craddock Dufty (1919) *

George Iles George Iles (28 March 1894 – 27 March 1933) was a winger and centre who played for the New Zealand rugby league team. He debuted for them in 1919 and became Kiwi number 125. He played his club rugby league for the Grafton Athletic and Newton ...

(1919) * Nelson Bass (1919) * Joe Bennett (1920) *

Clarrie Polson Clarence Percival "Clarrie" Polson was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. He debuted for New Zealand in 1920 and became Kiwi number 143. Personal life Clarrie Polson was born Clarence Percival Polson on 27 July 1900. ...

(1920) * Trevor Hall (1928) * Roy Hardgrave (1928) *

Claude Dempsey Claude Dempsey was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand. Playing career Dempsey played in the Auckland Rugby League competition at .Bill McNeight Bill McNeight was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career McNeight first made the New Zealand side in 1936, while playing for the West Coast.Ron O'Regan Ronald Phillip O'Regan is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, and coach who represented New Zealand between 1983 and 1986. His nephew, Daniel, played for the New Zealand Warriors. Playing career As a young boy he idolised players such ...

(1983) *

Dean Lonergan Dean Robert "Locust" Lonergan is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and current events promoter. He was the promoter of Jeff "The Hornet" Horn who won the WBO Welterweight World Championship against Manny Pacquiao in ...

1985

Club Titles

City Rovers grade championships (1910-1944)

* 1910 1st Grade (Myers Cup) * 1911 1st Grade (Myers Cup) * 1914 4th Grade * 1915 2nd Grade and 5th Grade * 1916 1st Grade (Myers Cup), 3rd Grade, 4th Grade and 6th Grade * 1917 3rd Grade and 4th Grade * 1918 6th Grade * 1919 4th Grade and 5th Grade * 1920 2nd Grade and 4th Grade * 1921 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 5th Grade * 1922 1st Grade (Monteith Shield), 2nd Grade and 6th Grade * 1923 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 2nd Grade * 1924 3rd Grade * 1925 1st Grade (Monteith Shield) and 3rd Grade * 1926 6th Grade * 1934 5th Grade * 1936 4th Grade * 1937 6th Grade * 1938 4th Grade * 1939 4th Grade * 1940 4th Grade * 1941 4th Grade * 1944 1st Grade (Fox Memorial Shield)

Other titles

* 1916 Roope Rooster * 1918 Roope Rooster * 1921 Roope Rooster * 1924 Roope Rooster * 1939 Phelan Shield * 1942 Rukutai Shield (combined City-Otahuhu side) * 1944 Rukutai Shield * 1944 Stormont Shield

Newton Rangers grade championships (1910-1942)

* 1912 First Grade (Myers Cup) * 1921 Second Grade * 1927 First Grade (Monteith Shield) * 1932 Fifth Grade * 1934 Fourth Grade * 1937 Schoolboys (Junior) * 1939 Schoolboys (Senior) * 1940 Schoolboys (Intermediate)

Other titles

* 1919 Roope Rooster * 1920 Roope Rooster * 1927 Stormont Shield * 1934 Phelan Shield * 1935 Roope Rooster

Top point scorers (City Rovers and Newton Rangers) 1909-44

City Rovers top point scorers (1909-1944)

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.

Newton Rangers top point scorers (1909-1944)

References

{{Rugby League in Auckland City Newton Dragons City Rovers players Newton Rangers players City Newton Dragons players Rugby clubs established in 1909 Rugby clubs established in 1948 Sports clubs disestablished in 1948 Sports clubs disestablished in 2004 Defunct rugby league teams in New Zealand