The Northcote Tigers are a rugby league club based in Northcote, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1910 as the Northcote Warriors though they became known as the Northcote Ramblers shortly afterwards.[1]
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Northcote and Birkenhead Tigers Rugby League and Sports Club Inc |
| Colours | Gold and black |
| Founded | 1910 as the Northcote Warriors |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | David Bhana |
| Competition | Auckland Rugby League |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2001 |
| Minor premierships | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993 |
| National Club Champions | 1987, 1989, 1991 |
| Roope Rooster | 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2008, 2009 |
| Stormont Shield | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 |
| Sharman Cup | 1979, 2003, 2007, 2024 |
The Tigers compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. Between 2000 and 2002 the Northcote Tigers competed in the national Bartercard Cup before being replaced by the North Harbour Tigers for three seasons. In 1994–1996 the North Harbour Sea Eagles in the Lion Red Cup were also based at the Birkenhead War Memorial.
History
edit
In 1909 some members of the North Shore rugby were so impressed with the new type of football they had seen that they decided to found a club for the 1910 season. Thus in 1910 the Northcote "Ramblers" League Football Club was born. It wasn't until 1948 however that the club qualified for the first grade and earned 'senior' status. In 1987 they finally won the Fox Memorial championship, under the coaching of David Harding.
Notable players
editPlayers for the Tigers have included Gary Freeman, Sean Hoppe, Jason Lowrie, Gene Ngamu, Paul Rauhihi, Tony Tuimavave and former New Zealand Warrior Kevin Locke.
Kiwi representatives
editThirteen players have played for the New Zealand national rugby league team:[2]
- Tom Conroy: 1975
- Gary Freeman: 1986–92, 1994–95
- Tom Hadfield: 1956-61
- Frank Halloran*: 1937
- Sean Hoppe: 1992–99, 2002
- Len Jordan: 1946-49
- Josh Liavaa: 1975
- Jason Lowrie: 1993–95, 1999-2000
- Gene Ngamu: 1993-99
- John O'Sullivan: 1971–72, 1974–75
- Paul Rauhihi: 2002-04
- Paddy Tuimavave: 1990
- Tony Tuimavave: 1995
- Alex Glenn: 2012
- Kevin Locke: 2011
Frank Halloran had transferred to the Ponsonby club at the start of the 1934 season.
The club has also had many Auckland representatives, including Shane Horo, Stuart Galbraith, Brian McLennan, Logan Campbell, Latham Tawhai, Mark Elia, Ken McIntosh, and Willie Poching.
Bartercard Cup
editWith the creation of the Bartercard Cup in 2000 by the New Zealand Rugby League the Tigers were one of the seven Auckland sides invited to join. However they did not experience that much success, failing to make the top five in three successive attempts.
| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 490 | 654 | −164 | 15 | Tenth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2001 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 566 | 508 | 58 | 23* | Seventh (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2002 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 472 | −71 | 16 | Seventh (Twelve) | N/A |
*two points for a Bye as the Ngongotaha Chiefs dropped out of the competition.
North Harbour Tigers
editIn 2003 the Bartercard Cup Franchise was renamed the North Harbour Tigers. The new side represented all of the North Shore teams and not just the Northcote club. It experienced a some success in its three-year history, making the top five twice, both times losing in the Elimination Semi-final.
| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 496 | 403 | 93 | 14 | Sixth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2004 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 469 | 374 | 95 | 19 | Fourth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semi-final |
| 2005 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 508 | 323 | 185 | 20 | Fourth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semi-final |
Harbour League
editIn 2006 the number of Auckland Bartercard Cup sides was reduced from eight to five. This resulted in the North Harbour Tigers and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders leaving the competition and being replaced by the Harbour League franchise.
Northcote and Birkenhead Senior Team Records 1910-1943, 1990, 1992-94, 2022
editThe season record for the most senior men's team in the club.
| Season | Grade | Name | Play | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (Teams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 112 | 18 | 94 | 14 | 1st of 4 |
| 1911 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 35 | 29 | 14 | 1st of 4 (record incomplete) |
| 1912 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 27 | -19 | 8 | Approximately 4th of 8, full results unknown. |
| 1913 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Bikenhead Ramblers | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 40 | 41 | -1 | 4 | Approximately 4th of 7, full results unknown. |
| 1914 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 53 | 49 | 18 | 1st of 7 (score in R2 win over Otahuhu not reported) |
| 1915 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 65 | -48 | 0 | 8th of 8, withdrew after 5 rounds. |
| 1916 | 4th Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers B | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 89 | -74 | 0 | 7th of 8 (Two sides were fielded, finishing last and second to last) |
| 1917 | 3rd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 83 | -75 | 0 | 5th of 6, full results unknown |
| 1918 | 3rd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 52 | -27 | 0 | Approximately 4th of 5, full results unknown |
| 1919 | 4th Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Results unknown (6 teams) |
| 1920 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 31 | 24 | 6 | Approximately 4th of 10, full results unknown |
| 1921 | 5th Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 21 | -13 | 0 | Approximately 7th of 10, full results unknown |
| 1922 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 57 | -41 | 0 | Approximately 10th of 13, full results unknown |
| 1923 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12th of 12, withdrew early in the season after defaults |
| 1924 | 5th Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 66 | -38 | 5 | Approximately 8th of 11 |
| 1925 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 75 | 126 | -51 | 6 | 5th of 5 |
| 1926 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 166 | 139 | 27 | 21 | 1st of 6 |
| 1927 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 74 | 66 | 8 | 14 | 3rd of 7 |
| 1928 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 52 | 168 | -116 | 2 | 7th of 8 |
| 1929 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 66 | 77 | -11 | 10 | 3rd of 6 |
| 1930 | B Division | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 67 | 92 | -25 | 8 | 5th of 7 |
| 1931 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 15 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 81 | 58 | 23 | 10 | Approximately 4th of 8 |
| 1932 | 2nd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 16 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 62 | 77 | -15 | 22 | Approximately 3rd of 9 |
| 1933 | 3rd Grade Interim. (Walker Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 346 | 6 | 340 | 29 | 1st of 10 (won championship and Murray Cup for the KO championship beating Marist 6–3). |
| 1934 | 3rd Grade Interim. (Walker Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 17 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 35 | -21 | 19 | 8th of 13 |
| 1935 | 3rd Grade (Walker Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 13 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 57 | 110 | -53 | 3 | 11th of 14 |
| 1936 | 3rd Grade | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Results unknown (17 teams) |
| 1937 | Senior B (Sharman Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 35 | 75 | -40 | 12 | 5th of 9 |
| 1938 | Senior B (Sharman Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 62 | 66 | -4 | 4 | 5th of 6 |
| 1939 | Senior B (Sharman Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 100 | -77 | 2 | 6th of 6 |
| 1940 | Senior B (Sharman Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 4 | Several results unknown (6 teams) |
| 1941 | Senior B (Sharman Cup) | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 4 | Several results unknown (11 teams) |
| 1942 | Unknown | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | No draws published or results reported below Fox competition |
| 1943 | Unknown | Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | No draws published or results reported below Fox competition |
| 1990 | Lion Red Premiership Div 1 | Northcote Tigers | 21 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 493 | 299 | 164.9% | 34 | 1st of 8 |
| Playoffs | Northcote Tigers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 22 | - | - | L v Te Atatū 20–22 in SF, L v Ōtāhuhu in major SF | |
| 1992 | Lion Red Premiership Div 1 | Northcote Tigers | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 517 | 253 | 204.3% | 25 | 4th of 10 |
| Playoffs | Northcote Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 11 | - | - | W v Richmond in SF, W v Te Atatū in SF, W 16-11 v Mt Albert in the GF | |
| 1993 | Lion Red Premiership Div 1 | Northcote Tigers | 18 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 419 | 305 | 137.4% | 30 | 1st of 10 |
| Playoffs | Northcote Tigers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 22 | - | - | W v Richmond, W v Te Atatū, W v Mt Albert 16–11 in GF | |
| 1994 | Lion Red Premiership Div 1 | Northcote Tigers | 22 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 516 | 476 | 108.4% | 28 | 3rd of 12 |
| Playoffs | Northcote Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 32 | - | - | W v Hibiscus Coast 21–10, W v Ōtāhuhu 20–10, W v Ōtāhuhu 32–12 in the GF | |
| 2020 | 1st Grade (Fox Memorial) | Northcote Tigers | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 212 | 116 | 182.8% | 14 | 3rd of 10 (season cancelled -covid) |
| 2021 | 1st Grade (Fox Memorial) | Northcote Tigers | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 170 | 442 | 38.46% | 4 | 11th of 12 in phase 1 |
| 2022 | 1st Grade (Fox Memorial) | Northcote Tigers | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 170 | 222 | 76.58% | 6 | 7th of 9 in section 1 |
| Sharman Cup playoffs | Northcote Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 50 | - | - | W v Manurewa 28–18 in PF, W v Ponsonby 48–4 in SF, W v Pakuranga 32–28 in GF | |
| 1910-1943, 1990, 1992–94, 2022 | TOTAL | 501 | 265 | 15 | 206 | 7712 | 6307 | - | 531 |
References
edit- ^ John Haynes From All Blacks to All Golds: Rugby League's Pioneers, Christchurch, Ryan and Haynes, 1996. ISBN 0-473-03864-1
- ^ Northcote and Birkenhead Tigers Rugby League and Sports Club Inc Historical Information Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Auckland Rugby League, 2009