FAR FROM the tropics, Leinster hockey was seen at its wholesome best in the Cable and Wireless sponsored Mills Cup final at Grange Road yesterday. Three Rock Rovers - three up after 24 minutes - survived a tremendous rally bye the holders, Glenanne, to capture the trophy for the first time in 10 years.

It was a game of many ironies, notably that Rovers were successful from each of their three short corners, whereas from Glenanne's 10 only one goal fell, to Stephen Butler, who had converted four set pieces when Glenanne won by the same score in a league match.

This time, Anthony O'Neill in the Rovers goal found inspired form to deny Butler and also bring off a number of valuable saves from open play as Glenanne threw everything into attack in the second half.

There was also a strong German element in Rovers' win. Not only did Matt Bechmann enter the fray to play a prominent role in defence, but his international colleague from European Cup Winners Cup champions, Durkheim, Uli Moiffl, enjoyed his pivotal role in midfield, as well as putting away two of the short corner goals.

Rovers had zipped into the lead after 13 minutes when Liam Canning broke free on the left and delivered a diagonal cross for Gary Ringwood to guide the ball between the posts. Ringwood was just home from the Home Countries youth championship in Milton Keynes, in which Butler also took part.

Short corners in the 23rd and 24th minutes were despatched to the net by Moiffl and Christian Judd, to leave Rovers seemingly cruising. Shortly before the interval, however, Devin Kehoe dived on to a Paul Fitzpatrick free to, reduce the deficit to 3-1.

Glenanne, with Alan Browne to the fore, attacked with renewed vigour in the second half. After Fitzpatrick had struck a shot against a post, and Graham Shaw was thwarted by a double save by O Neill, a direct hit by Butler made it 3-2. Minutes later, Butler had a chance to equalise, only to send a penalty stroke, won by Fitzpatrick, against the upright again.

There followed another corner save by O'Neill, and from the subsequent break Canning forced Rovers third set piece opportunity, with Moiffl eventually finding the target as Glenanne failed to clear the second phase danger.

Glenanne surged back in a quest to save the day, and although the irrepressible Fitzpatrick continued to drive through and scored his side's third goal, in the 69th minute, it came too late to earn extra time.