Two Wellington teams in league cup final

Press, 11 October 1982, Page 27

Two Wellington teams in league cup final

Pelone capped off an amazingly successful rugby league season for Wellington when it beat Otahuhu (Auckland). 9-8 in the second semi-final of the inaugural Wrangler Cup national knock-out tournament on Saturday. A spectacular last-mintue try by the Petone and former Kiwi stand-off half. Nolan Tupaea, wrenched victory from Otahuhu. Only a few minutes earlier Otahuhu had regained the lead with a try by its left wing. Emil Vaafusuaga. Two Wellington teams. Petone and Randwick, will now dispute the top prize money -- $5OOO to the winner, and $2OOO to the runner-up — next Saturday. But the surprise elimination of Otahuhu has caused some embarrassment to the administration of the competition. When the draw was made the final was allocated to Carlaw Park in Auckland, on the reasonable assumption that at least one Auckland club would qualify. Television arrangements were completed with that venue in mind. However, it will be an expensive exercise to transport two

Wellington sides and their supporters to Auckland to decide which becomes the first to have its name inscribed on the handsome trophy. Attempts to switch the final to Wellington might be foiled by the non-availability of a suitable ground and television facilities. Even if Auckland stages the last major match of the season, it has been a remarkable year for Wellington. It was the first provincial side to make an extensive tour of Australia, it relieved Canterbury of the Rugby League Cup, and it contributed much towards the continued success of Central Districts in the KB Super League. Only a field goal, kicked, by Hapi Puketapu to break a 5-5 deadlock, separated Petone and Otahuhu at Carlaw Park. After a scoreless first quarter, Otahuhu slipped ahead with a goal by John Ropati and a try by his brother. Peter. At 5-0 Otahuhu had opportunities to clinch the game early in the third quarter, only to be plagued by handling problems. Instead, Petone responded to the urgings of a large contingent of supporters and an enthusiastic

cheer squad, drawing level with a determined try by the prop. John Studd, and Puketapu's conversion. Puketapu’s field goal — his 307th point of the season' - placed Petone ahead midway through the last quarter. All of Petone’s hopes seemed to have gone when Vaafusuaga completed one of the few flowing back-line manoeuvres that Otahuhu had been able to muster in the face of the dedicated Petone defence. Only three minutes remained and Otahuhu was assured of possession from the kick-off. 1 The fatal Otahuhu error was committed by the forward. Murray Evans, who threw an inaccurate pass. Petone gained the loose ball and in the last decisive act of the match Tupaea broke away down the side-line and triumphantly dived over near the comer flag. ■ As the winner of the Wellington championship, and victor over Randwick in three of their four meetings, Petone is now favoured to become the first cup holder. Another milestone wifi be 1000 points for the season — its aggregate is now 997.