Brian Riley (rugby league)

Brian Riley
Personal information
Born10 January 1915
New Zealand
Died2 November 2000
Playing information
Weight11 st 0 lb (70 kg)
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1933–43 Ponsonby United 58 0 0 180
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1934–43 Auckland 8 5 0 0 15
1935 Auckland B 2 1 0 0 3
1935–37 New Zealand 2 2 0 0 6
1935 Auckland Province 1 0 0 0 0
1938–41 Auckland Pakehā 3 3 0 0 9
1939 New Zealand Possibles (trial) 1 1 0 0 3
Source: [1] [2]
As of 29 August 2021

Brian Riley was a New Zealand international rugby league footballer.[2]

He was born on 19 January 1915, to Elizabeth (1874-1928) and Oliver Nathaniel Riley (1871-1952).[3] His older brother Lawrence Leonard Riley (known by Leonard though nicknamed 'Spot') played for Ponsonby United also, and was captain of the senior side. He was still playing when Brian debuted in 1933 at the age of 18 with Leonard aged 28.[4] He also had an older sister, Rene Ruth Riley who was born in 1906. His first match for Ponsonby was against City Rovers at Carlaw Park on 1 July.[5] Leonard had been selected to go on the New Zealand tour of Australia in 1930 but was unable to travel.[citation needed]

Riley was Ponsonby's second highest try scorer in their first three decades with 57 tries from 1933 to 1942, only behind Arthur Kay with 71.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

Brian Riley married Valdora 'Val' Peace Matthews (1918-1999) and they had one son, Terrence William Riley (1945-2020).[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Papers Past". Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Births, Deaths, & Marriages". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Ponsonby United". Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 104. 4 May 1933. p. 10. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. ^ "City's Fine Score". Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 154. 3 July 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 22 July 2022.