The miracle men of Marton
By Jared Smith
Club day at Marton Park will be extra sweet on Saturday as home side Speirs Food Marton meets their respected fellow country club McCrea Scanning Counties.
Both sides, despite sitting 9th and 10th on the table, have the chance to end the season as champions as the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield will be defended in what was considered the most unlikely location just three weeks ago.
It seemed certain that despite Harvey Round Motors Ratana relinquishing the Shield to Ruapehu for an ineligible player technicality on May 8, the prize would find its way back into either their hands or those of undefeated Kelso Hunterville, as they are playing their fellow Top 4 sides Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau and Ali Arc Logistics—DNA Kennels Marist Celtic respectively this weekend.
But neither Kaierau nor Celtic will show up with the Shield in tow, as for the second year in a row, Marton have enjoyed a late season renaissance no-one saw coming.
In 2020, Marton went from dropping five straight games to winning four in a row, yet while travelling to Memorial Park on June 19 this season, they seemed to pose little concern for Utiku Old Boys, who were looking to defend the Shield and keep their Top 4 hopes alive.
Despite a 1-7 record coming into the away clash, Marton played adventurous football in the mud, as some high risk passes just stuck, and by the time Utiku could bring their respected forward pack into play it was already much too late – the Shield and semifinals gone at 29-19.
That was a surprise, but a week later the competition was turned on its head as No3 ranked Celtic came to Marton Park but did not leave with the Shield – beaten 24-22 in the upset of the season.
“It’s one of those things I’ve been happy about, we’ve been there [against teams],” said co-coach Dennis Tucker, who shares the reins with 2020 coach Mark Jones, as the 29-year-old was required back on the field.
“Only Ratana [64-14] gave us a touch up, and Hunterville [25-0] at the start just got away.
“We decided when we got to Utiku, we wanted to throw a few spanners in the works.
“We were on a hiding to nothing, we had nothing to lose. We were here to have a bit of fun and make you work for it.
“If they don’t have the ball, how can they win it?”
Taking the Shield with two home games remaining, Marton suddenly had a clear mission to make 2021 a success story their youthful squad can build upon, having noted the WRFU’s Senior preview the week before was all about what Celtic were going to do.
“I just said ‘let’s use it’. We said, ‘let’s ruin the party for them and let two teams in the bottom tier compete for it,” said Tucker.
“We’ve got a young team coming through so a bit of confidence is good.”
All praise has been heaped upon playmaker Ngatu Bates at first or second-five, while Steven Karehana has led from the front foot.
Frenchman Maxime Ramiroz has continued to be a positive influence on the club, despite breaking his leg at the start of the campaign.
Brothers Jordy and James Kumeroa have followed in the footsteps of their club legend father Kelly, who had to finally retire this year due to a back injury, but immediately joined the refereeing ranks.
Kumeroa Senior will officiate the Counties game – which both clubs welcome because while his son’s are on one side, he has about half-a-dozen cousins on the other.
“It’s a family affair on both teams, so he can’t get away with not doing a good job,” said Tucker.
The draw is
Senior (1pm kickoffs, unless otherwise noted): Kaierau vs Ratana, Country Club; Border vs Taihape, Dallison Park; Marton vs Counties, Marton Park; Buffalos vs Ruapehu, Racecourse; Pirates vs Utiku Old Boys, Spriggens Park; Celtic vs Hunterville, Spriggens Park (2.30pm).
