91 Facts About Len Scott

Len Scott represented the New Zealand rugby league team in 5 tests between 1928 and 1936, becoming the 191st player to represent New Zealand.

Len Scott played for the North Shore Albions club based in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore.

Len Scott played representative matches for Auckland, Auckland Colts, Auckland Province, New Zealand trial sides, a New Zealand XIII, and the North Island.

Len Scott is the cousin of New Zealand rugby league player and New Zealand test cricketer, Verdun Scott and the two played together at North Shore later in Len's career.

Len Scott was the oldest child of Catherine and Joseph though he did have older step brothers after his father remarried, and an older step sister.

Len Scott had been "confined" on the day of the birth of Vincent and complained of being ill on the day of her death but died just before Dr Atkinson, who had been summoned, could arrive.

Len Scott's father Joseph was a carter who worked in the Devonport suburb.

Len Scott died of influenza during the epidemic of 1918 on November 8, aged 45.

Len Scott made his senior debut on the wing for Devonport United in the first match of the season on April 24,1926 when aged 19.

Len Scott played alongside Allan Seagar who was at centre.

Len Scott has plenty of pace and handles the ball well.

Len Scott nearly scored again a while later but was "thrown out with only a few yards to go", however shortly afterwards in a passing movement he received the ball and "dashed over the line".

Len Scott later saved a try, preventing John Stormont from scoring.

Len Scott's form was so good in his debut season in first grade that there was speculation that he was close to Auckland squad selection.

Len Scott's try was set up by his cousin Alf, and later in the match the Auckland Star described some action: "the Scott trinity showed up well for Shore when A Scott, L Scott, and K Scott combined well, a family affair that carried play into the Richmond twenty-five" with K Scott scoring soon after.

Unsurprisingly Len Scott was not selected for the New Zealand side to tour England and Wales.

Len Scott was picked as a reserve for the Auckland side to play New Zealand prior to their departure.

Len Scott used his pace to save a try beating Cameron to the ball and kicking it out.

Len Scott scored a first half try which gave Devonport a lead when his "speed carried him over near the corner".

Len Scott scored 14 tries in 15 matches for Devonport.

Len Scott scored in the opening game of the season in a win over City when he charged down a kick.

The Auckland Star said that the North Shore wings were given few opportunities which was "a pity, as Len Scott was in brilliant form".

Len Scott scored in 3 consecutive matches against Ponsonby, Newton, and City where it was said he "gave a dashing display, and was the best of the three-quarters".

Len Scott scored 19 tries in 16 games for Devonport to lead the competition in try scoring.

Len Scott played 5 matches for Auckland and another for Auckland Province.

Len Scott displayed great determination in going for the line, an example which some other senior three quarters could very well emulate.

Len Scott went try-less in a win over Richmond before scoring again against Ponsonby, before scoring 2 more against Ellerslie United.

Len Scott was picked on the wing with Craddock Dufty at fullback, Allan Seagar at centre, and Claude List on the other wing.

Len Scott's try came when Dufty chimed in to a back movement and "made an easy try for Scott".

Len Scott's try came after he received the ball "on the right flank, and the winger cut in-field beautifully to outstrip the opposition and score in a handy position".

The Auckland Star said that Scott "played a splendid game against South Auckland, and it is just a toss-up as to the wisdom of Hardgrave's inclusion before him".

Len Scott was playing opposite Alf Ellaby on the English side.

Amid a scene of great excitement, Len Scott tossed back his head and ran for the corner flag.

New Zealand was outplaying England and "there was a swirl of play in front of the posts, then it went to the right corner and Len Scott was cheered to the echo when he fielded the ball and flashed across near the corner flag".

The Herald said that Len Scott's "determination when in possession [was] a treat to witness".

Len Scott was then chosen in the Auckland Provincial side to play a midweek match against England at Carlaw Park.

Len Scott scored a try and "was the most impressive [in the three-quarter line], and has more than justified the chance he has been given in big football".

Len Scott was then selected to play for Auckland against England on the following Saturday, once more at Carlaw Park.

Len Scott had been injured in the midweek game and there was speculation that he might not be able to play.

Len Scott was then named in the second test side to be played in Dunedin, though in a 4 man three-quarter selection including List, Hardgrave, and Hec Brisbane with one to be omitted.

The try came about after Maurice Wetherill kicked across to the corner, "and Len Scott, gathering up the ball in great style, scored the winning try".

Len Scott played 5 more matches, the first was the final round robin match against Ellerslie.

Len Scott scored 2 tries in the win, with the first coming early in the match when he kicked a loose ball through and scored by the posts, then later he got on the end of a passing movement and "on the right wing, the New Zealand representative showed pace and going across at the flag before the defence could converge".

Len Scott's remaining matches were in a Roope Rooster win over Ellerslie, a semi final loss to Marist, and then the Stormont Shield final loss to the same opponent.

Len Scott scored a try after receiving the ball in the open field and easily ran the last 50 years to score between the posts.

Len Scott played 17 matches for Devonport in 1929, scoring 11 tries.

Len Scott was named to start but ultimately did not play.

Len Scott was again named in the Auckland squad for their match with Canterbury but did not make the starting side.

Len Scott had gone off at halftime after having been injured earlier, and was replaced by Allan Seagar.

The reason for Len Scott's move to Fiji was not stated however he was back in Auckland by April 1931 and reported to be available for Devonport once more along with Alf.

In 18 matches for Devonport Len Scott scored 14 tries in the 1931 with 12 coming in senior competition which placed him first for senior try scorers .

Len Scott moved back to his regular position on the wing for the following week against Newton and then over the following 4 matches he registered at least 1 try in each game.

Len Scott's try against Newton came when he received the ball from a "ruck at halfway and outpaced the opposition to score behind the posts".

Len Scott played well and set up tries for Allan Seagar.

Len Scott scored a try and was said to be "in his best form of this season".

Len Scott scored their first try within a minute "when a smart movement on the left-wing allowed Len Scott to speed round past Fred Tottey and score easily".

Len Scott did however drop a pass later in the match that cost his side a try.

Len Scott was still relatively young, aged just 24 though it is unknown if there was any particular age limit for players selected in the side.

Len Scott uncharacteristically failed to score in any of the 4 matches he had played for Devonport.

Len Scott was joined in the three-quarters by Claude List on the other wing, and Cooke at centre.

Len Scott missed a try early in the match after trying to take a pass from Cooke one handed with a clear run in.

The third try for Len Scott came after backline passing involving the same players though this time Len Scott had "to race around Harrison" before he could score.

Len Scott, who was expected to make the "come back" he made against Parkin's side in 1928, showed no initiative and Smith, well, he wilted.

Len Scott then returned to the Devonport side which played their final match of the Fox Memorial competition which they had already won prior to the break in the competition.

Len Scott then traveled with the Devonport side to New Plymouth where they played an exhibition match against a Ponsonby XIII which included some guest players.

Len Scott would be rejoining his Devonport side after the Auckland Rugby league registered him with them.

Len Scott ultimately played 12 games for Devonport and scored 6 tries.

Len Scott missed 3 matches during the season which had been uncharacteristic in playing seasons prior.

Len Scott scored 13 tries in total and 12 in senior club competitions which placed him third highest try scorer behind Lou Brown and Roy Bright.

Len Scott's try was scored after racing practically the whole length of the field.

Len Scott's form had been good enough to see him chosen in the Auckland side to play New Zealand Maori.

Len Scott was one of the best A Team backs along with Stockley, though he was replaced at halftime by Owen Wilkie to give the New Zealand selectors the opportunity to see all the players.

Len Scott played in matches for Devonport against Newton and City, scoring a try in each and then picked in the New Zealand side for the 3rd time in his career to play his 5th test.

Len Scott was chosen to play for New Zealand in his normal position on the wing with Jack Hemi behind him at fullback and Lou Brown on the other wing.

Len Scott was slightly injured early in the match when he received a kick which "appeared to put him off his usual game".

Len Scott was named in the second test team in an unchanged backline aside from Claude Dempsey who came in to replace an injured Jack Hemi at fullback.

Len Scott was however replaced in the side after not being able to recover from his leg injury and Ted Mincham replaced him on the wing for the second test.

Len Scott then returned to his Devonport side 2 weeks later after recovering from his injury and played 5 further matches.

The Auckland Star erroneously reported "A likely, tall young winger, V Scott, brother of Len Scott, made his debut on one flank".

Curiously the Mount Albert side had three members of the same family with the Schultz family well represented but the Star reported that the "Len Scott trinity was more prominent".

Len Scott became the first player in the history of Auckland Rugby League to achieve this feat.

Len Scott uncharacteristically went 4 matches without scoring before standing down for an injury in a round 5 match.

Len Scott missed selection for the New Zealand trial match which had been organised for the selectors to choose the New Zealand side to play Australia.

Len Scott then played a match against Newton before missing 5 straight games, though the reason is unknown.

Len Scott played intermittently throughout the year with his first game coming in round 2 against Manukau.

Len Scott was a tower of strength to his team by fast following up.

Len Scott was however moved back to the backline for the following weeks match with Richmond and then City.

Len Scott missed North Shore's game with Papakura in round 6 before being injured just before halftime in their round 7 match with Ponsonby at the Devonport Domain.

The 1939 season saw Len Scott fail to make an appearance for North Shore.

Len Scott was a carpenter by trade and they lived in the Devonport area for most of their lives.

Leonard Len Scott died in Devonport on June 4,1986, aged 79.