Marum: Winning cup is icing on the cake

By KEITH PUARIA
ONE more grand final and win will be very satisfying for Agmark Gurias coach Michael Marum come the end of this Sunday’s Digicel Cup grand finale.
Marum, while welcoming the news of Mendi Muruks’ 16-8 victory of Enga Mioks and their qualification for the other finals spot, yesterday chose to focus instead on his side, rather than worry about what the Muruks could pose in the final.
“I think experience was the key at the end of the day for the Muruks, having players who have come a long way, and also through what they’ve come through,” Marum said.
“Our focus for the week however is on our own game, controlling what we can control.
“We have a fully fit side going into Sunday, every single one of the boys is okay. We haven’t changed too much in our preparations and have tried to stick to our normal routine leading to this weekend.”
Having been a part of Gurias sides in the past as a player, and then as a coach, Marum may just have the side that he had been working hard for over all those years.
“I’ve seen the bulk of this team graduate and grow from schoolboys, and after last season’s run to the grand final, they are better for the experience this week.”
Marum also admitted that though their opposition had years of experience, the confidence in his team in the processes they had worked hard for, and the great belief in each other’s ability, was a plus for the Gurias.    
He added that he wasn’t looking too far ahead of Sunday’s final when prompted about the Kumuls.
“We put a lot of time, effort and commitment to getting this far in the season, and will therefore give it everything we’ve got until the end.
“A lot of people, sponsors, supporters and players most importantly have come so far, so we want to complete what we set out to do before we start thinking about the Kumuls or the international representative matches.”