Start as you mean to go on: Utiku Old Boys
By Jared Smith
For three seasons, they’ve been so close but so far to being a part of the WRFU club finals day in which their Memorial Park neighbours regularly partake, but a reinforced Utiku Old Boys is determined 2023 will be the time.
In the past over-shadowed by Taihape Rugby & Sports Club – who sent both their squads to finals day last season with Bennett’s Taihape winning the Senior Division 2 title – Utiku were only two points away from playing that match, beaten 18-17 by Kelso Hunterville in the semifinal.
It follows 2020 where they finished fourth in a Covid-disrupted Senior season which did not have semifinals, and 2021 where they held the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield and were looking strong until dropping their last couple of matches.
Knowing a solid start in the face of strong opposition was crucial this campaign, Utiku began by lifting the Challenge Shield vacated by Premier-bound McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu, beating Counties 33-5.
A week later, only goal-kicking proved the difference in their 19-15 loss to defending champions Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic, but Utiku rebounded by doing something few have accomplished in recent years – beating Tāmata Hauhā Rātana in the Pa, 20-10.
“It needed to be [a good start] if we want to be there at the end. It doesn’t get any easier this week,” said new coach James Maher, who is assisted by Tama Cahill and Munu Thorby.
“Kaierau look like a bloody good team – we watched them two weeks ago against Taihape.”
Currently on Wednesday, Utiku are training and then feeding around 35 players, over three quarters of whom are 25 or younger.
“It’s a good problem to have, but it’s a real headache to have to leave people out every week,” said Maher.
“The clubrooms are buzzing on a Wednesday night, it’s a real good culture.”
Eager to make sure if there’s a shepherd in the country who likes his rugby that they join their club, Utiku can call on a number of standouts which any WRFU Premier team would love to have on the books.
No8 Joseph Abernethy was a standout in the 2022 Whanganui Under 20’s that won the HYC Heartland Series, while prop Gordon Coogan played the 2021 preseason fixtures for Steelform Whanganui , with brother Mark named in the Development XV.
Former Ruapehu Premier player Gavin Martin slots into a backline which includes 2012 Whanganui representative Hepa Payne, returning after a layoff to co-captain the team with Max Buchanan.
“We’re not far away from having two teams. It’s the nature of club rugby that players come and go, but we’re just in a strong cycle at the moment,” said Maher.
“They get looked after and they enjoy it. If we can be successful, that’s the bonus.”
The Senior draw is
May 5-6th, 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change):
Border vs Mustangs, Dallison Park (May 5th, 7pm); Kaierau vs Utiku OB, Country Club; Pirates vs Mustangs, Spriggens Park; Ratana vs Hunterville, Ratana Pa; Marton vs Taihape, Marton Park; Counties vs Celtic, MacNab Domain (2pm).
