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Download AudioMangere is now home to the Gallagher Shield after Manukau Rovers beat Ponsonby 20-18 with a last-minute penalty duel to lift Auckland rugby’s premier club trophy.
Life member Dick Garrett says it’s a fitting reward for Rovers, which is undergoing a renaissance after marking its 125th anniversary.
He says Mangere is a great source of sporting talent, but it was often poached by outside clubs.
That’s changed this year with good coaching and real heart shown by the players.
“Manukau, the last three games, they have won in the last minute. It’s amazing what they pulled off. The resilience of the team to hang in and not let that kick put them back, they just went back and did their job and got that penalty and even the kicker, when he got that kick, he just lined it up and kicked it straight down the middle,” Mr Garrett says.
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