Ponsonby Ponies
Encyclopedia
The Ponsonby Ponies are a rugby league
club based in Ponsonby, New Zealand
. The club was founded in 1908 and competes in the Auckland Rugby League
's Fox Memorial competition.
and Charlie Dunning
. Victoria Park hosted Auckland's first representative rugby league match, between Auckland
and Wellington
. The very first Ponsonby players, those who appeared in 1908 were: Arthur Carlaw, J Chorley, Charlie Dunning
, W Hooper, B Kean, Pip Webb, V Hunter, Tom Lynch, Scotch MacDonald, Harry Oakley, M Stanaway, Syd Riley, Billy Tyler
and J Warner.
In 1920 Ponsonby won the Thacker Shield
.
1952 saw the club win the "treble" of the Fox Memorial, Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield all in one year. This feat was to be repeated in 1972.
In 1979 the club merged with Maritime to form Ponsonby-Maritime however this merger only lasted until 1983.
The club was relegated in 1992, since then it has not regained its position in the first division.
The Club celebrated its centenary in 2008.
Notable Former Players include; Des White
, Joe Ropati
, Mike McLennan, Don Mann
, Stacey Jones
, David Bailey
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in Ponsonby, New Zealand
Ponsonby, New Zealand
Ponsonby is an inner-city suburb of Auckland City located 2 km west of the Auckland CBD, in the North Island of New Zealand. The suburb is oriented along a ridge running north-south, which is followed by the main street of the suburb, Ponsonby Road....
. The club was founded in 1908 and competes in the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League 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 and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
's Fox Memorial competition.
History
The club was founded in August 1908 by two returning All Golds, Billy TylerWilliam Tyler (rugby league)
William "Bill" Thomas Tyler was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
and Charlie Dunning
Charles Dunning (rugby league)
Charles Dunning was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby football:...
. Victoria Park hosted Auckland's first representative rugby league match, between Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
and Wellington
Wellington Rugby League
Wellington Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Greater Wellington region. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.- Local Senior Competition :The...
. The very first Ponsonby players, those who appeared in 1908 were: Arthur Carlaw, J Chorley, Charlie Dunning
Charles Dunning (rugby league)
Charles Dunning was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby football:...
, W Hooper, B Kean, Pip Webb, V Hunter, Tom Lynch, Scotch MacDonald, Harry Oakley, M Stanaway, Syd Riley, Billy Tyler
William Tyler (rugby league)
William "Bill" Thomas Tyler was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
and J Warner.
In 1920 Ponsonby won the Thacker Shield
Thacker Shield
The Thacker Shield is a rugby league football trophy awarded on an annual basis to the winner of a match between the champion clubs of the Canterbury Rugby League and West Coast Rugby League.-History:...
.
1952 saw the club win the "treble" of the Fox Memorial, Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield all in one year. This feat was to be repeated in 1972.
In 1979 the club merged with Maritime to form Ponsonby-Maritime however this merger only lasted until 1983.
The club was relegated in 1992, since then it has not regained its position in the first division.
The Club celebrated its centenary in 2008.
Notable players
Between the years 1909 and 1986 Ponsonby developed 48 players that gained New Zealand Representative status.Notable Former Players include; Des White
Des White
Desmond Henry "Des" White is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1950s. A record-breaking goal-kicking fullback, he was named amongst the country's finest players of the 20th century. His total for points scored in all matches for the Kiwis is a record 467...
, Joe Ropati
Joe Ropati
Joe Ropati is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in nine Test Matches, including in games that counted towards the 1988 World Cup. Ropati is part of a large rugby league family that includes internationals Iva, Peter, Tea and rugby union international Romi...
, Mike McLennan, Don Mann
Don Mann
Don Mann is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1972 World Cup.-Playing career:Mann played in the Auckland Rugby League competition for both Glenora and Ponsonby United...
, Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
, David Bailey
David Bailey (rugby league)
David Bailey is a former rugby league player. His position of preference was in the Centres although he also played at Five Eighth. He is the son of New Zealand international Roger Bailey.-Early years:...
.