Mate was pitted against mate when Wakatipu hosted neighbouring side Arrowtown, but a commanding Arrowtown side shut the home team down, leading 32-15 at the final whistle.
For their efforts the Arrowtown team took "The Cup" back to Jack Reid Park - awarded to the winner of the first Battle of the Basin each season - for the first time in about six years.
Coach Hayden Finch told the Queenstown Times yesterday he was "very, very happy" with his team's performance, bolstered by the welcome return of lock Jim O'Malley and club president Simon Spark, who were filling in for duck-shooters.
"The forwards fronted up which was good. We played to our game plan really well ... and the backs just defended really well," Finch said.
Wakatipu had a strong back line, but Arrowtown managed to shut it down until the last 10 minutes.
However, it was not all smiles in the Arrowtown camp after the game.
Lock Ed Spence sustained a concussion and loose forward Lee Murray is likely to be out for at least four weeks after damaging a medial ligament.
Wakatipu coach Kelvin Middleton was humble in defeat and said Arrowtown had proved "you don't need 15 players to win rugby".
"They dominated up front in the forwards and thoroughly gave us a bit of a hiding.
"[The score line] wasn't too bad ... but we hardly got out of our half in the second half.
"They truly deserved their win. They're a class outfit."
Wakatipu's front row had been "decimated" by injury, but Middleton said none was likely to be serious.
However, there was reason to celebrate for two Wakatipu club stalwarts, who received blazers in recognition of 50 games played for the club.
Russell Longthorn played his 50th game on Saturday and Brad Patterson, who had notched up his 50th some appearance time ago, came out of retirement on Saturday and was rewarded with his blazer.
Arrowtown takes on Alexandra at Jack Reid Park on Saturday, while Wakatipu will play Cromwell, in Cromwell.
