The 1920 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirteenth season of Sydney's professional rugby league football club competition, Australia's first. The introduction of a Sydney University side saw nine teams from across the city contest during the season. Balmain were crowned premiers by virtue of finishing the season on top of the League.Premiership Roll of Honour at rl1908.com
Season summary Due to the 1920 Great Britain Lions tour, from rounds 5 to 8, several players in the NSWRFL were selected to play matches for Metropolis (Sydney), New South Wales and Australia.
In a round 7 game between Glebe and University Frank Burge scored eight tries which remains the standing record for the most tries by an individual in a NSWRL/NRL premiership match. Arthur Oxford set the pace in goal kicking, scoring 29 goals in three games. He also took the record of most goals in succession (23) which would stand until 1978.
The NSWRFL ran the City Cup competition for the second half of the season.
The Balmain Tigers again dominated the season, while University's first year was a disappointment: the Students conceded a whopping 118 tries in thirteen games for a record “tries against” average of 9.08 per match that has not been beaten since.Rugby League Tables: Season Records Balmain played consistently and defensively throughout the season except for a slip-up 13–30 loss to Eastern Suburbs in Round 10. Holding a seven-point lead on the premiership ladder with three rounds left to play secured their fifth premiership in six years. The final three rounds were left unplayed and no Finals were contested.
Teams With the addition of Sydney University's team, the League was again at nine sides. At the end of the season however, Annandale exited the League after eleven seasons, having won only fifteen and drawn four of 126 games since 1912. Annandale Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908, at Balmain Town Hall Eastern Suburbs, formed on January 24, 1908, at Paddington Town Hall Glebe, formed on January 9, 1908 Newtown, formed on January 14, 1908 North Sydney, formed on February 7, 1908 South Sydney, formed on January 17, 1908, at Redfern Town Hall Western Suburbs, formed on February 4, 1908 University, formed in 1919 at Sydney University
Annandale11th seasonGround: Birchgrove Park Coach: Captain: Tom McGuiness Balmain13th seasonGround: Birchgrove Park Captain-Coach: Arthur Halloway Eastern Suburbs13th seasonGround: Sydney Sports GroundCoach: Captain: Ray Norman Glebe13th seasonGround: RAS Showground Coach: Captain: Frank Burge Newtown13th seasonGround: Marrickville Oval Captain-Coach: Albert Johnston North Sydney13th seasonGround: North Sydney Oval Coach: Chris McKivat Captain: Harold Horder South Sydney13th seasonGround: RAS Showground Coach: Captain: Reg Fusedale University1st seasonCoach: Paddy McCue Captain: Alan McLeod Western Suburbs13th seasonGround: Pratten ParkCaptain-coach: Tedda Courtney
Ladder
TeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts1 Balmain1311112287114+173272 South Sydney138052258149+109203 Glebe138052268166+102204 Western Suburbs148151309141+168195 North Sydney137062237151+86186 Eastern Suburbs148061254175+79187 Newtown148061208203+5188 Sydney University1310122101498-39769 Annandale130013259384-3254
References
External links Rugby League Tables - Notes The World of Rugby League Rugby League Tables - Season 1920 The World of Rugby League Premiership History and Statistics RL1908 Results: 1911-20 at rabbitohs.com.au