League: Historic successes by Mt Albert

By PETER JESSUP

The Mt Albert Rugby League Club created a first at the weekend by making grand finals in the national competition and the top two Auckland City competitions.

And with St Paul's College in the secondary schools final the district looks in good shape for the future.

Club president Tony Sadgrove credited their Bartercard Cup coach and Kiwi selector Brian McClennan with pulling the coaching skills of the Lions together in all grades.

"His focus has been right through the club. Everyone has felt a part of what was going on," said Sadgrove.

The depth in playing strength came as a result of good management.

"We created the right environment and they [the players] came like bees to a honeypot."

The Mt Albert Bartercard side targeted Otahuhu-Ellerslie's Thomas Leuluai in attack early on and made good gains down the opposition's right side, where he was defending, to set up a 35-22 win, which gets them into the national provincial competition grand final against Marist-Richmond next Sunday.

Otahuhu put on some big defence early to restrict the Lions' ground-gain, but they could not maintain pressure, with Leuluai's first two last-tackle kicks running dead as the toll of big defence counted.

David Fisi'ahi was denied early and then Warriors development player Frank-Paul Nuusuala bustled over but was penalised for playing on after the tackle.

Mt Albert absorbed that and repeatedly attacked Otahuhu's right side, but it was down the left where they scored first, with centre Robinson Godfrey breaking the line and second rower Regan Wigg angling in.

Lions fullback Andreas Bauer beat the cover to a grubber from captain Steve Buckingham for a second try.

The Lions big forwards were taking control and prop Joe Tau barged over at 30 minutes then got a second at 37 minutes after a clever kick and re-gather from Buckingham.

Otahuhu-Ellerslie's only points of the half came from a piece of solo brilliance from Leuluai, when he took on the line from 20m out.

Ill-disicpline cost them, and when they ended the first half a man down after Tepa Frost was sinbinned in the 39th minute for fighting, it was clear they would struggle to come back.

Mt Albert took first points after the break when Matthew Asaou bustled over but then took the foot off the pedal and wing Fisi'ahi was twice rewarded.

That kicked Mt Albert into gear again and good support play produced Wigg's second try.

One-game Warrior Paul Atkins showed he is a prospect with a 60m kick return at one stage and was rewarded for his enthusiasm when he scored from 20m out with 10 minutes to go. Buckingham slotted a penalty goal then a field goal.

"We knew if we stayed close in the first half that our fitness would tell in the second," the Lions captain said.

Lack of composure in the second half had let Otahuhu come back, but they felt they had the beating of Marist-Richmond next weekend.

"We had it over them for all bar the last 15 minutes last weekend [in a semifinal]. We know we can score points against them."

It was an 80-minute effort which got the second team to the Fox Memorial final.

Ritchie Blackmore's Manurewa side were in front with 30 seconds left when a knock-on 20m from their line allowed Mt Albert wing John Poi to scoop the loose ball and score for a 32-28 result that sets them up against Mangere East next Sunday.

St Paul's play Aranui High School, from Christchurch, in the first game of finals day at Ericsson Stadium next Sunday.

Mt Albert's Auckland reserves play the final of their competition against Manurewa at Cornwall Park next Saturday.