Auckland foes an early focus

match to go but North Shore had Championship sewn up. They acknowledged best side in Auckland first time since a proper introduced they had won it. This record crowd to Potter’s Paddock Observer’s Out Door Sports columnist, game; fast, exciting and full of pessimistic old hands, who that present-day footballers are with those of by-gone days, were one of the finest club games

• Cross-harbour rivalry was the mainstay of North Shore’s first seasons, with teams playing various Auckland sides.

• In the early years, the Masonic Hotel on the corner of Church St and King Edward Pde was used as North Shore’s clubrooms.

• In the 1890s, a team named Takapuna played under the North Shore umbrella, allowing soldiers from Fort Takapuna to compete in lower-grade Auckland competitions.

• Shore won its first senior Auckland championship in 1899, defeating Newton.

• The Devonport Volunteer Fire Brigade played a fancy dress match on the rugby ground against the North Shore Albions, provoking a near riot.

The columnist added, ‘Although contested from end to end, with justice be taken as reflecting of the two teams. North Shore stronger side on the day and have won by a greater margin.’ reported that the gate takings of $90 ladies free – was a record for the $78 15s taken in Christchurch Christchurch played off for the weekend Shore confirmed their status

• Devonport Primary School – with close links to North Shore Rugby Club – was prominent in Auckland rugby in the early 1900s, winning Auckland schools championships.

• A team called the Sunnysiders, from Stanley Bay, played lower-grade football under the North Shore banner early last century.

The members of the championship winning side were: Fullback J Cardno; threequarters G Paul, H Frankham, Tabby Wynyard,

1900s various the Club, present where Cricket sits. Shore