Richmond Rovers
Club information
Full nameRichmond Rovers Rugby League Club
Nickname(s)The Bulldogs
Founded1913
Websitehttps://www.richmondroversrugbyleague.com/
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Grey Lynn Park
Records
Premierships(11) 1934, 1935, 1937, 1940, 1946, 1949, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1979, 1980
Minor premierships(10) 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1980, 2000, 2001, 2023
Rangatira Shield1934
Roope Rooster1926, 1927, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1949, 1969, 1976, 1990, 2006
Stormont Shield1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1956, 1976, 1979, 1980, 2007, 2008
Sharman Cup1953, 1972, 1983, 2008, 2015

The Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club is a rugby league club based in Grey Lynn, New Zealand. The premier team is called the Richmond Bulldogs and compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.

Early history

Action from Richmond's Roope Rooster win in 1927 v Devonport (North Shore Albions).

The club was formed in 1913 by employees at Mr. B. W. Davis' Boot Factory and Elliott's, following a scratch game in 1912. They didn't in fact play an official game until 1914 when they affiliated with the Grafton Athletic club and entered a team in the 4th grade and played in the Grafton Athletic colours.[1]

In 1883 the land surrounding Grey Lynn Park was subdivided and the houses were built. The area that is now Grey Lynn Park was too steep to build houses on and so, in 1914, the area was drained and flattened so sport could be played. Flood lights were installed at the park in the 1950s.[2]

Richmond enjoyed considerable success in the middle decades of the 1900s. They were the first club to win the Fox Memorial, Roope Rooster, and Stormont Shield in 1934. They went on to win these trophies several more times in the following years. They also defeated 4 Australian club teams from 1934 to 1939 (including the Sydney champions - Western Suburbs 18–16, and 10–3 in 1934).[3][4] This saw them win the Rangatira Shield, played for between Sydney and Auckland clubs. They won the Fox Memorial in 1934, 1935, 1937, 1940, 1946, 1949 , 1951, 1955 and 1956.

The 1937 Fox Memorial championship winning side.
Grey Lynn Park being developed in 1952. In the distance is the main field adjacent to the clubrooms.

Bartercard Cup

The Richmond club were involved in the Bartercard Cup as a joint venture with the Marist Saints between 2000 and 2005. This team was called the Marist Richmond Brothers.

Notable players

48 Richmond Juniors have played for the New Zealand national rugby league team 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.[5]

Other Warriors such as Tevita Latu, Steve Matai, Sam Lousi, Sione Lousi, John Palavi, Wayne McDade, Daniel Vasau, Evarn Tuimavave, Faavae Kalolo, & Malo Solomona were also Richmond juniors.

American actor Geno Segers had a stint with the club.[6]

A team of the century was named in 2013, and consisted of: 1. Bert Cooke, 2. Nigel Vagana, 3. Tom Baxter, 4. Maurie Robertson, 5. Vern Bakalich, 6. Fred Ah Kuoi, 7. Shane Varley, 8. Joe Vagana, 9. John Lasher, 10. Cliff Johnson (c), 11. Jim Riddell, 12. Se'e Solomona and 13. Raymond Williams.[7][2]

Richmond Senior Team Records (1915-1945, 1993-2004 + 2022-23)

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)
19153rd Grade Richmond Rovers61051766-49210 teams, full results unknown
19163rd Grade Richmond Rovers430134211368 teams, full results unknown
19174th Grade Richmond Rovers74032545-2088 teams, full results unknown
19184th Grade Richmond Rovers650134259109 teams, full results unknown
19194th Grade Richmond Rovers761077671134th of 10
19204th Grade Richmond Rovers74039226668Approx 3rd of 10
19214th Grade Richmond Rovers650151133810Approx 3rd of 8
19221st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers143011141295-15467th of 8
19231st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers12101193239-14627th of 7
19241st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers16501197194-97107th of 9
19251st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers11407155184-2985th of 7
19261st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers11308142176-3465th of 7
19271st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers12417134182-4895th of 7
19281st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers1271414313211152nd of 7
19291st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers143011105161-5667th of 8
19301st Grade (Monteith Shield) Richmond Rovers13409118156-3888th of 8
19311st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers127141439350153rd of 7
19321st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers10307117134-1765th of 6
19331st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers10316140131975th of 6
19341st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers131102257108149221st of 6
19351st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers13101221795122211st of 7
19361st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers1482419913663182nd of 8
19371st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers141013266156110211st of 8
19381st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers1581620518025175th of 9
19391st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers15708171174-3146th of 9
19401st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers161213303143160251st of 9
19411st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers1590623514986183rd of 9
19421st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers155010148186-38105th of 6
19431st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers161105247123124223rd of 9
19441st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers18100824215389206th of 10
19451st Grade (Fox Memorial) Richmond Rovers141103266100166222nd of 10
1993Lion Red Rukutai Shield Richmond Rovers18111635235399.7%232nd of 10, W major champ SF 10-7 v Mt Albert, W v Ponsonby 7-3 in final. L v Otahuhu 5-11 in Major GF. L Roope Rooster GF 12-22 v North Shore
1994Lion Red Rukutai Shield Richmond Rovers221001259661896.4%207th of 12
1995Lion Red Rukutai Shield Richmond Rovers2414010715605118.2%325th of 13
1996Lion Red Preliminary Round Richmond Rovers13517318301105.6%119th of 14
1998Super 10 Central Sharks18311432760154.41%79th of 10
1999Rukutai Shield Super 12 Central Sharks22311840174054.19%712th of 12
2000Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Top 8 Richmond Rovers141211517254203.5%251st of 8
Playoffs Richmond Rovers31024463--L 10-26 v Ōtāhuhu in minor SF, W 20-16 v Te Atatū in major SF, L 14-21 v Ōtāhuhu in Fox final
2001Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Top 8 Richmond Rovers14923460385119.5%20
Playoffs Richmond Rovers21015148106.3%-W 22-18 v Northcote in Major SF, L 29-30 v Northcote in Fox Final
2002Fox Memorial Top 8 Richmond Rovers14311027642864.5%77th of 8
2003Playoffs Richmond Rovers31027977--L v Hib Coast 28-41 in PF, W v Marist 32-28 in Minor Final, L v Mangere East 19-24 in Major final
2004Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Richmond Rovers14905438322136%184th of 8
Playoffs Richmond Rovers21014229--W 30-10 v Papakura in Prel final, L 12-19 v Manurewa in Minor final
2022Fox Premiership Section 2 Richmond Rovers9603326134192124th of 10 in section 2, W v Marist 34-0 in PF, L v Otahuhu 20-12 in QF
Playoffs Richmond Rovers21014620--W 34-0 v Marist in Prel SF, L v Otahuhu 20-12 in QF
2023Fox Memorial Grading Richmond Rovers32019848204.2%42nd of 4 in Pool B
Fox Memorial (Rukutai Shield) Richmond Rovers11911316116272.4%191st of 12 (Rukutai Shield winner)
Playoffs Richmond Rovers21012430--W v Papakura 8-6 in Major SF, L v Pt Chevalier in Grand Final
1922-44, 1993–96, 2000-2002, 2004, 2022-2023 TOTAL57828920269100409156109.7%590

Club Titles

Richmond Rovers grade championships (1910-1944)

  • 1921 Sixth Grade
  • 1922 Fourth Grade
  • 1923 Fifth Grade
  • 1924 Second Grade B Section winners (lost final to Otahuhu 17-5, who won the A Section), Fourth Grade B Section winners (lost final to Ponsonby, who were A Section winners), Fifth Grade knockout (Section B)
  • 1925 Second Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade A, & Sixth Grade B
  • 1926 Third Grade Intermediate, & Fifth Grade
  • 1927 Third Grade Intermediate and Third Grade knockout competition, Fourth Grade (Hospital Cup), & Sixth Grade B (Myers Cup)
  • 1928 Third Grade Open, Third Grade Intermediate, & Fourth Grade
  • 1929 Third Grade Open, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade A, & Sixth Grade B
  • 1930 Second Grade, Fourth Grade & Fourth Grade knockout, Seventh Grade & Seventh Grade knockout, & Schoolboys (Richmond Schools A)
  • 1931 Third Grade Intermediate, & Seventh Grade
  • 1932 Reserve Grade, & Sixth Grade
  • 1933 Reserve Grade, Fifth Grade, & Seventh Grade
  • 1934 First Grade (Fox Memorial), Reserve Grade, Third Grade Open, & Seventh Grade
  • 1935 First Grade (Fox Memorial), Second Grade, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade A, Seventh Grade, & Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1936 Sixth Grade A, & Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1937 First Grade (Fox Memorial), Reserve Grade, Fourth Grade, Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1938 Reserve Grade, Third Grade Open, Seventh Grade, Schoolboy (Senior), Schoolboy (Intermediate)
  • 1939 Reserve Grade, Sixth Grade A, Seventh Grade
  • 1940 First Grade (Fox Memorial), Reserve Grade, Fifth Grade, Seventh Grade, Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1941 Sixth Grade

Other titles

  • 1926 Roope Rooster
  • 1927 Roope Rooster
  • 1933 Roope Rooster
  • 1934 Roope Rooster, & Stormont Shield
  • 1935 Stormont Shield
  • 1936 Stormont Shield
  • 1938 Roope Rooster, & Stormont Shield
  • 1940 Roope Rooster
  • 1942 Roope Rooster

All time top point scorers (1922-1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from first grade matches in the championship, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield, Sharman Cup and official exhibition matches including organised preseason rounds.

Top point scorers
No Player Start End Games Tries Con Pen DG Pts
1Ted Mincham192819421205255360338
2L Taylor19261930-2037403220
3Bernard Lowther (snr)19411945-432380191
4=Frank Furnell19371945-850220168
4=Cliff Satherley19331936651638220168
6M Marshall19321936-1227170124
7=George Tittleton1936193850252130123
7=Wally Tittleton1936194311741000123
9Charles W Webb19391942-241160120
10=Leo Davis19361945-33600111
10=Stan Prentice1926193514137000111
12Trevor Hanlon19241933-151990101
13Bill Telford19271937-3121099
14J McDonald19421944-7316197
15Trevor Bramley19381940-52614095
16Jack Magill19421945-52316093
17Edmund Hugh Carroll19221927-42710086
18William Kinney19421945-2700081
19Alf Broadhead19341941-2610080
20Dave Solomon19371941-2500079
21Laurie Mills19381940-2600078
22George Mitchell19371941-2500075
23Ralph Jenkinson19251934-2400074
24Ron McGregor19421945-2400072
25Jack Satherley19341945-2301071

See also

References

  1. "Richmond Club". New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15585. 17 April 1914. p. 10. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 "History". Richmond Rovers Rugby League. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  3. "Thrilling League/Champion Club Teams/Richmond Takes Honours/Western Suburbs Beaten". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXI, no. 21919. 1 October 1934. p. 13. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  4. "Sydney Team Defeated/Richmond's Second Success/Spectacular Low-Scoring Game". Auckland Star. Vol. LXV, no. 238. 8 October 1934. p. 13. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  5. "Roll of Honour". Richmond Rovers Rugby League. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  6. Geno Seger's Bio at Disney XD Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Richmond Rovers Team of the Century". Richmond Rovers Rugby League. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
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