Auckland wins league

Press, 1 August 1984, Page 6

Auckland wins league

NZPA Auckland In a dramatic finale, Auckland snatched an 18-16 victory against a demoralised Great ■ Britain rugby league side after the final hooter had gone at Carlaw Park last evening. Britain looked to have escaped the final humiliation of defeat to a provincial side • when it equalised two minutes i from time with a penalty. But Auckland was awarded a penalty in the dying seconds as the wing, Cedric Lovett, was tackled late when he kicked ahead racing for the i line; and it was Lovett who : had the task of kicking the goal to win the game. In a tight, exciting match Auckland looked to have lost ’ its chance of victory when i Great Britain went ahead for the first time with only quarter of an hour left It appeared : to have got on top of the game i with two tries in seven : minutes by Andy Goodway. J But with nine minutes left, the man-of-the-match, Shane Cooper, scored a brilliant individual try, scooting through a disorganised British defence. A pepalty had been awarded for Off-side and Cooper saw a

Siped to himself and ran the space for his try of the night Lovett put Auckland 16-14 ahead, but a penalty against Auckland two minutes from time for off-side levelled the scores for what seemed a fitting end until Lovett gave his side its dramatic win. A sore and upset coach, Mr Frank Myler, came out of the British dressing-room after the match, and criticised the decision of the referee, Mr Ray Shrimpton, to award Cooper’s final try. However, no critlsism of refereering decisions can take away anything from the way Auckland won the match to send Britain packing with horrifying memories of Carlaw Park - the scene of two test defeats and now a provincial loss. The Auckland coach, Mr Bob Bailey, said he was delighted with his side's handling m at times torrential rain. Scores: Auckland 18 (Shane Cooper 2, Cedric Lovett tries, Lovett 2 goals, 1 conversion) Great Britain 16 (Keith Mumby, Andy Goodway (2) tries, David Hobbs one goal, one emersion.).