Young bucks help power Marist win | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Steelie Koro reckons it's great to have "young fellas around to keep the old fellas on our toes".

Yep, 25-year-old Koro and 28-year-old Chris Rayner both echoed the same sentiments after Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist battled out a 12-8 wet track win over Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau in Saturday's Wanganui premier club rugby final.

That a 25-year-old could consider himself one of the "old fellas" really does show just how well this Marist side has done this year under the guidance of coach Karl Hoskin and forward mentor Mike Thompson.

They started well off the pace, but there has not been a sign of panic in the camp. Hoskin, in his cheerful way, has always been positive and has backed his players and himself.

And they've all come through.

In the end the same mixture succeeded in the final that had got them there - organisation and heart. The flair Marist have shown in most of  their matches was mostly put away on Saturday courtesy of the developing rain/slippery ball scenario, but this was where the organisation came in.

With Koro and little halfback Paul Neilson (then Sean Brown) keeping Marist going forward both through kick and skilful pass, and the Marist chase much superior to Kaierau's, Marist managed the territorial game in the first half especially - forcing Kaierau to come from long range. And truthfully, it wasn't a day for long-range attack.

But it was a day for youthful, organised enthusiasm, against occasionally fragmented and hopeful attack.

Koro said: "We were written off by a lot of people. It just goes to show that age and experience doesn't win everything against enthusiasm, heart and passion.

"It was a good day, and this Marist team went into the game quietly confident we would win after our good win against Ruapehu."

Koro says the season has been an enjoyable one.

"It's good having young fellows coming through and showing enthusiasm. They always turn up, Tuesdays and Thursdays, willing to learn. That made us work harder to keep up with them."

And how was the season approached?

"Our main goal was to just enjoy our rugby overall, to go out and show that [lack of] age means nothing. Rugby these days is fast rugby, so we concentrated more on fitness and getting around the park. The forwards dominated some setpieces and still got around the paddock."

Koro pays tribute to those forwards and picks out young lock Chris O'Leary as one of the unsung heroes.

"He's not getting much praise for his hard work. He's been consistent all year, he does the hard yards yet the other guys are reaping the rewards."

Hoskin notes that two-thirds of his squad are under 23 "and they'll be around for another four or five years at least".

Rayner, covered in mud so thick it was difficult to recognise him, offered his thoughts about the youngsters. "It was good to see the young boys stand up and give 100 per cent. They're pretty motivated, they keep us young."

Certainly, there was a huge amount of joy in the Marist camp on Saturday. Kaierau were obviously much quieter.

Kaierau had chances, made more line breaks, but were unable to turn them to profit.