Ben Lythe
Encyclopedia
Ben Lythe is a former professional rugby league
player. His position of preference was at Halfback. He was also a noted goalkicker.
, Lythe played for the Mt Albert Lions
and Glenora Bears
in the Auckland Rugby League
competition and also played for the Waitakere City Raiders
in the national Lion Red Cup
. He was part of the team that lost the 1996 Lion Red Cup Grand Final, although he kicked three goals in that game. In the Auckland competition he also had some game time at hooker, swapping positions with Duane Mann
.
His good performances earned him minor rep honours in 1996, being selected for both the North Zone in the inter zone challenge and the New Zealand XIII
in the Pacific Challenge. He was also part of the Lion Red Cup selection that embarrassed the touring Great Britain Lions
, drawing with the much more powerful side.
In 1997 he joined the Widnes Vikings
in England, linking up with former Raiders team mate Boycie Nelson
.
He then returned to New Zealand in 1998 and led the Glenora Bears to the Fox Memorial title, scoring 324 points (more than 130 clear of the next best on the points-scoring list). He also was involved in the Auckland representative side, scoring 98 points in only five games. He married Mardie Harkness in November 1998, however the honeymoon had to be postponed due to an Auckland-Canterbury
match the next day.
in the Queensland Cup
. The Bears won the competition that year and Lythe was the competitions leading scorer, with over 200 points.
He was signed to a one year contract in 2000 by the Auckland Warriors, who needed a replacement for the injured Stacey Jones
. He played five games for the club, however after Jones returned from injury he found himself surplus to requirements at the Warriors. Due to the Warriors feeder agreements, when he was not selected by the first grade side he was sent to Brisbane Souths to play in the Queensland Cup. He toured Australia with the New Zealand Residents in 2000.
in the new Bartercard Cup
competition. At Mt Albert he formed a strong halves combination with Steve Buckingham
and the pair led the Lions to three Bartercard Cup titles.
His return to domestic competitions again earned him representative selections and he was part of the New Zealand 'A'
side that toured France
and the United States
in 2002 and was selected for the New Zealand 'A' 2003 tour of Great Britain. However he ended up withdrawing from the 2003 tour due to family reasons. In 2005 he was selected to be part of a Presidents XIII that played a warm up game against the New Zealand Warriors
.
He changed codes in 2007, joining the Mahurangi rugby union
club as a player-coach. Mahurangi compete in the North Harbour
competition.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player. His position of preference was at Halfback. He was also a noted goalkicker.
Early years
Hailing from West AucklandWest Auckland
West Auckland is a village in County Durham, in North East England. It is situated to the west of Bishop Auckland, on the A688 road.It is not known exactly when West Auckland was first inhabited, but there is evidence of Auckland West in the history of St. Cuthbert in the 11th century...
, Lythe played for the Mt Albert Lions
Mt Albert Lions
The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial....
and Glenora Bears
Glenora Bears
The Glenora Bears are a rugby league football club based in Glen Eden, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. The club was established in 1931...
in the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competition and also played for the Waitakere City Raiders
Waitakere City Raiders
The Waitakere City Raiders were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Waitakere City in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996.-Notable players:...
in the national Lion Red Cup
Lion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
. He was part of the team that lost the 1996 Lion Red Cup Grand Final, although he kicked three goals in that game. In the Auckland competition he also had some game time at hooker, swapping positions with Duane Mann
Duane Mann
Duane Darrin Mann is a rugby league coach and former professional footballer who represented and captained both the New Zealand Kiwis and Tonga. He currently coaches the Bay Roskill Vikings in the Auckland Rugby League competition.-Personal life:...
.
His good performances earned him minor rep honours in 1996, being selected for both the North Zone in the inter zone challenge and the New Zealand XIII
New Zealand Residents rugby league team
The New Zealand Residents are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected from players competing in domestic competitions.-History:In 1977 Dane Sorensen became the first New Zealander to be...
in the Pacific Challenge. He was also part of the Lion Red Cup selection that embarrassed the touring Great Britain Lions
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, drawing with the much more powerful side.
In 1997 he joined the Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
in England, linking up with former Raiders team mate Boycie Nelson
Boycie Nelson
Boycie Nelson is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Glenora Bears. His position of preference is in the Centres and he also kicks goals.-New Zealand:...
.
He then returned to New Zealand in 1998 and led the Glenora Bears to the Fox Memorial title, scoring 324 points (more than 130 clear of the next best on the points-scoring list). He also was involved in the Auckland representative side, scoring 98 points in only five games. He married Mardie Harkness in November 1998, however the honeymoon had to be postponed due to an Auckland-Canterbury
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
match the next day.
Australian competitions
In 1999 his point scoring reputation earned him interest from overseas and he joined the Burleigh BearsBurleigh Bears
The Burleigh Heads Rugby League Football Club are one of the oldest rugby league football clubs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Originally formed in 1934 playing out of Rudd Park, the club relocated to Pizzey Park in 1971, their current home ground....
in the Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
. The Bears won the competition that year and Lythe was the competitions leading scorer, with over 200 points.
He was signed to a one year contract in 2000 by the Auckland Warriors, who needed a replacement for the injured Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
. He played five games for the club, however after Jones returned from injury he found himself surplus to requirements at the Warriors. Due to the Warriors feeder agreements, when he was not selected by the first grade side he was sent to Brisbane Souths to play in the Queensland Cup. He toured Australia with the New Zealand Residents in 2000.
Return to Domestic Competition
In 2000 he joined the Mt Albert LionsMt Albert Lions
The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial....
in the new Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
competition. At Mt Albert he formed a strong halves combination with Steve Buckingham
Steve Buckingham (rugby league)
Steve Buckingham is a New Zealand rugby league coach and player. His position of preference is at Halfback. He is currently the head coach of the Mount Albert Lions.-Early years:...
and the pair led the Lions to three Bartercard Cup titles.
His return to domestic competitions again earned him representative selections and he was part of the New Zealand 'A'
New Zealand Residents rugby league team
The New Zealand Residents are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected from players competing in domestic competitions.-History:In 1977 Dane Sorensen became the first New Zealander to be...
side that toured France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
and the United States
United States national rugby league team
-2008 & 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying:In October 2006, The Tomahawks were to participate in a four team Atlantic qualifying pool for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but South Africa and the West Indies withdrew. As a result, The Atlantic qualifying pool was reduced to a single game...
in 2002 and was selected for the New Zealand 'A' 2003 tour of Great Britain. However he ended up withdrawing from the 2003 tour due to family reasons. In 2005 he was selected to be part of a Presidents XIII that played a warm up game against the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
.
He changed codes in 2007, joining the Mahurangi rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club as a player-coach. Mahurangi compete in the North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
competition.