Refusing TO yield to Corinthians' yearning to capture the Mills trophy for the first time in 60 years, Pembroke Wanderers completed a Leinster league and cup double for the second successive season at Grange Road yesterday.

The only goal of a rigidly-fought final of the Cable & Wireless-backed competition came in the 16th minute when Stephen Stewart whipped a drag flag out of Peter Darley's reach. That was from as few as two short corners forced by Pembroke whereas Corinthians earned nine but hadn't sufficient expertise to deliver a telling shot, especially against a goalkeeper of Nigel Henderson's calibre.

Pembroke controlled the first half, particularly with Francis de Rosa coasting into midfield because of Corinthians' lack of numbers up front. But more men moved forward in support of Colin Stewart in the second period and there was the real prospect of an equaliser.

Henderson, however, was quick off his goal-line to foil Adrian Missen, Robbie Burns and Paul Armitage. Darley, too, brought off a sharp save from Trevor Dunne as Pembroke went close to settling the issue.

Yet in the last minute Corinthians surged within a fraction of bringing the game into extra time. The irrepressible Armitage picked up a pressurised clearance and swooped goal-wards, only to shoot inches wide of the target. So, though it was as warm an afternoon as one might experience Down Under, it was not to be Australia's day in Irish circles.

The Pembroke back three of Michael Tijs, Duncan McKeen and Colin Kelly contributed in large measure to the outcome as, in turn, they kept Stewart out of range and denied him of his 100th goal in Irish hockey. The Corinthians defence, too, can take credit in keeping Pembroke's attackers more subdued than usual.

Pembroke Wanderers: N Henderson; M Tijs, D McKeen, C Kelly; T Dunne, D Donnelly, F de Rosa (capt), S Stewart; D Goode, M Lanos, S Kershaw. Sub: A Cooke.

Corinthians: P Darley (capt); W Rothwell, C Byrne, F Appleby, I Ovington; C Ross, P Armitage, C Campbell; A Missen, T Connell; S Stewart. Subs: P Connell, R Burns.

Umpires: M Whelan, T Goode.