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Home / New Zealand

Skulls shun training in final bid

Wairarapa Times-Age
22 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM4 mins to read

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Co-founder and skipper of the Carterton Skulls, Mark Childs, is a realist.

The former Central Districts B and age group cricket rep and Wairarapa-Bush rugby first-five says it will take a "massive upset" for the Skulls to beat Masterton Trevs Sports Athletic in the final of the Wairarapa Football Knockout Cup competition at Hullena Park on Saturday.

Childs points to the record of the two teams in the league championship as a reason why the Skulls will be rank outsiders. Athletic won that title, winning 14 of their 15 games and scoring 100 goals while conceding just eight.

The Skulls, on the other hand, were sixth with nine wins and six losses. They scored 48 goals and had 37 against.

But Childs is also quick to acknowledge the Skulls have already proved they can catch opponents off guard, having beaten Greytown White Swan 5-3 in a quarter-final. The Greytown side hadn't lost for two years.

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Childs labels the Skulls - who have a pirate theme - as "mainly a bunch of ex-rugby players and cricketers with the odd footballer thrown in for good measure".

Now into their fourth season, they take their status as a "social side" seriously in that their match preparation involves absolutely no training sessions.

Once on the playing field, however, the old competitive spirit tends to kick in, supported as they are usually are by their families and a core of wives known to them as the "Skullappers".

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Childs was kind enough to provide us with the following pen portraits for his team for which we, as a reputable newspaper, take no responsibility whatsoever.

Jonathan Tanner (goalkeeper): The ex-Wellington Lion and Otago first-class rugby prop is a commanding figure in goal. Let's just say not many strikers fancy getting in his way when he's punching the ball clear!

Jason Osborne (right back): Greytown Cricket Club president who provides some pace on the defensive flank. He is famous for his move called the "comb over" which is sure to surprise Athletic in the final.

Josh Doherty: This fellow is a defender with legs as long as a giraffe and they often come in handy when stopping an opposition attack.

Hayden Spierling: The Skulls' key player with over 100 games for Wairarapa United behind him. Plays anywhere from sweeper to midfield to striker depending on opponents and the game situation. He has scored 22 goals this season and another four or five on Saturday would be a big help!

Warren Burling: Central defender who makes his physical presence felt. Took him a while to adjust to the fact he can't ruck or put down scrums but has actually developed a delicate touch when in possession.

Kerry Geange: The team's co-founder and another barrel-chested central defender. He has a telepathic-like connection with Burling which often confuses opposition strikers into making mistakes.

Jason Le Grove: When not making sure the farm is running smoothly or pulling a calf muscle, he puts his left foot to good use in the defence line called "the wall".

Paul Lyttle: The Greytown senior cricket captain is probably the youngest in the side and gets bossed around by "the wall" who demand he runs all over the place. If he doesn't, he gets a hiding ... and so do we!

Paul Rzoska: Ex-Greytown second-five who plays a key role in midfield. He has had a big season.

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Shane Mellor: Wairarapa senior cricket rep who shows some silky skills in midfield. The dreadlocks can tend to put the opposition off and they don't like to go up for aerial challenges.

Brad Chittick: Gives handy support to "the wall" and adds punch to the right hand side attack. Sometimes manages to trip over his own feet.

Alan Brady: A good, honest toiler who will always give 100 per cent. Best provider of after-match refreshments in the team.

Quenten Robertson: Missing in action a bit this season but has a massive workrate. Can tell he shears a lot of sheep.

Jason Lange: Midfielder who must be nearing 50 but has all the class of yesteryear. Plays some magic balls through with the outside of the foot.

Dan Grace: Newcomer who has shown great commitment after nearly becoming the first Skull to have his leg pegged after an infection.

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Steve Wheeler: Our resident Pom who, surprisingly, doesn't actually whinge a lot. Top class performer who, typically of his homeland, doesn't have a high workrate. Get the ball to his feet though and see what happens.

Mark Childs: When not troubled by a back problem, still tries to prove he can foot it with the younger guys.

Saturday's final kicks off at Hullena Park at 1.30pm, while the knockout plate final between Douglas Villa Laser Electrical and Masterton-Gladstone Lions will start at 2pm.

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