By Jonathan B Geddes

BEN Marr’s 100^th first grade game for Warringah in Sunday’s 43-27 semi-final win over Hunter was made even more memorable because “Papa Bear” was in the crowd.

His 94-year-old grandfather Kevin Marr, the oldest living North Sydney rugby league player, made the two and a half hour drive from his home in Hawks Nest on the mid-North Coast – after attending his Sunday morning church service – to witness the milestone game at Narrabeen.

In a special moment after fulltime at Rat Park Kevin presented his fullback grandson with the pewter to recognise the achievement. That was after his dad Greg handed Ben his jersey before the game.

The day will always be a treasured memory for the large Marr clan who joined their family patriarch in the grandstand when Ben celebrated his century with yet another eye-catching performance – scoring one Warringah try and having a hand in three others. 

A PROUD GRANDDAD   

MR Marr’s long association with the Bears as player, coach and administrator began in 1951. He spent six seasons in the front and second row, playing 92 games which included Norths’ 1955 reserve grade grand final win.

Still sharp as a tack, he was proud to be at the ground and celebrate with his grandson, the team skipper.

“It’s very exciting actually because I have watched the kid play from a little boy and I always thought he had some ability,” Mr Marr told Rugby News.

“He is in a very good side, they play good footy. Obviously, he gets on very well with his teammates and they obviously support him and it’s great to see.”

Wearing a Rats cap, Mr Marr said Ben has always had the enthusiasm and competitive spirit  that is so much a part of his DNA at the Rats.

“I always said he had a bit of go in him, a bit of mongrel if you’d like to say it,” he said with a chuckle.

Mr Marr revealed he was going to play rugby with Gordon as a young bloke but trialled with North Sydney and was graded.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

BEN was clearly moved having his grandfather in the grandstand and on the field with him to share in the occasion.

“He has such a big supporter and such a crucial part of our family,” Ben said. “We have a big broad family and he is the centrepiece.

“To have him come down from Hawks Nest just for this game means a lot.

“I’m just glad we had a win for him, I’ll look back on this in a few years and feel pretty happy.”

It was also an emotional occasion for dad Greg, a club stalwart at both the Rats and Manly.

“It was up right there with when he ran on in the Commonwealth Games (for the Australian Sevens),” he said. “It’s a pretty big family with great grandchildren now and it has bound us all together, it is pretty special.”

EYES ON THE PRIZE

AS awesome as Sunday was, Marr’s attention quickly turned to this Saturday’s big preliminary final against Norths at Rat Park.

“Enjoy tonight (Sunday) because we’ve got to go another week now,” he said. “We are straight back into it with a quick turnaround tomorrow.”

Marr was realistic about the win over Hunter and said it was not the perfect performance.

“We shoot ourselves in the foot a bit and I think if we cut that out, we are pretty unstoppable when we have the ball,” he said.

“A home final next week so bring it on.”

Despite his impressive display Marr has never been one to blow his own trumpet.

“We all talk about doing our jobs for the team, I think it was a 23-man performance as it has been all year – happy with the win, that’s the main thing,” he said.

He said Norths are a good team with a strong set piece who will have their tales up after beating the Rats 36-33 last week.

“I think we can right those wrongs,” Marr said.