The Wakatipu and Arrowtown rugby teams began their seasons in positive fashion on Saturday, by beating Matakanui Combined and Alexandra, respectively.
The Arrowtown match, played at Jack Reid Park, gave players from both sides plenty of resting time, as the injury count was high for the opening round.
Alexandra's David Reinds and Tristan Rogers were both lifted off the field with knee and ankle injuries and later taken by ambulance to the Lakes District Hospital.
Arrowtown players also received minor injuries throughout the physical match, eventually won by Arrowtown 16-11.
The match started slowly for both sides, with Arrowtown seeing little ball in the first half and playing a heavy defensive game to keep its opposition out of its half.
It was only in the second half that Arrowtown began to share the ball further into its back line and reap the benefits through standout player Tyne Schofield and Izzy Nayaloga.
Nayaloga secured the side's win late in the second half, through great support play out wide and speed to the line to score.
Arrowtown's centre, Schofield, was a standout in the backline with heavy defensive play and brilliant sprints out wide.
Wakatipu dominated its first match of the season at Omakau, beating Matakanui Combined 44-3.
Giant lock forward Ben MacDonald stood out for the defending champion, coach Damian Petre said.
Wakatipu will play its first home game next week against Roxburgh, while Arrowtown will have a rest weekend after the Upper Clutha B side - which it was scheduled to play in Wanaka on Saturday - withdrew from the competition.
