Auck. finishes strongly

Press, 12 September 1988, Page 17

Auck. finishes strongly

PA Auckland North Harbour trailed Auckland 12-15 after 20 minutes of the second spell in its Ranfurly Shield match at Eden Park on Saturday. Harbour, who had held the shield holders to 6-6 at half-time, was then overwhelmed, 39-12, before a crowd of 40,000. In the final quarter, Auckland smashed North Harbour in the forwards, broke its defence in the backs, scoring 24 points, including four tries. North Harbour played bravely and contributed much to a lively occasion. The crowd was caught up in the show business atmosphere which the Auckland Rugby Union has now developed at the ground. Harbour, with first use of a brisk wind, put Auckland under some early

pressure. Auckland came back through a broken-play break by Joe Stanley which eventually led to a messy North Harbour scrum on its line. The scrum screwed, the ball popped loose, Brett Iti, the Auckland halfback, barrelled over the line, Grant Fox converted and Auckland led 6-0.

Mark Finlay raised North Harbour hearts with a mighty penalty goal from three metres inside his own half. Frano Botica got one from closer range to pull North Harbour to 6-all by half-time. A silly Darryl' Williams punch gave Fox a penalty goal for 9-6, but Botica struck back to 9-all. Botica fumbled the kick-off, Auckland set up a series of attacks, John Kirwan scored, Fox converted and Auckland were away.again to 15-9. Botica kicked a fine

penalty goal into the breeze for 15-12, and North Harbour hopes were still high. Auckland stole a tighthead and Craig Innes, who replaced Kirwan, scored a try which Fox converted.

Stanley, Alan Whetton and Bernie McCahill then scored tries, Fox adding the conversions, and that was the end of North Harbour.

Still, North Harbour came out of the game with much credit, and maintained a brave level of performance for a side in its first year in the first division of the championship.

Scorers: Auckland 39 (Brett Iti, Stanley, Kirwan, Innes, Alan Whetton and McCahill tries, Fox six conversions, one penalty goal). North Harbour 12 (Botica (3) Finlay penalty goals). Cliff Dainty (Wellington) was the referee.