Bulls keen to hold cup

Arrowtown captain Aiden Winter heads for the posts to score the match-winning try against...
Arrowtown captain Aiden Winter heads for the posts to score the match-winning try against Alexandra in Alexandra. He is supported by Daniel Eyles. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.
The battle lines have been drawn in the Otago Country premier rugby competition.

On one side will be the Arrowtown Bulls. On the other, Upper Clutha.

For most of the season, the Bulls have been head and shoulders above the competition - that is, until the past month when they lost three of their four matches, including a 10-20 loss to Upper Clutha.

Coach Blair Wilce told the Queenstown Times the Bulls were ready for the final.

"They're looking pretty good - we've got no injuries or anything. We have a full squad to choose from, which is good. They [Upper Clutha] are a pretty physical team, they always are.

"It's probably where they beat us last time, but I think we'll be more ready for it."

Knowing that the White Horse Cup is at stake has given the Bulls an added incentive.

"That's been motivating for us all season - it's our goal to get our name on it for the first time."

Arrowtown wrested the trophy, the symbol of Central Otago rugby supremacy, from Alexandra in April and has stoutly defended it since.

Upper Clutha club president Ali Grant said his side needed no extra motivation ahead of tomorrow's clash.

"They played reasonably well against Wakatipu in the semi; they've been improving all season and, hopefully, they can improve just a little bit more [playing in the game tomorrow].

"They're going to need to."

Mr Grant said Upper Clutha would be without prop Steve O'Kane because of injury and there was a question mark over the team's first five.

The physical Wanaka team, which earned its place in the final after beating Wakatipu 22-20 last weekend, has not held the Central Otago Premier title in about 30 years and was beaten by Arrowtown in last season's final.

Upper Clutha is never short of support, with a band of willing supporters travelling to most of its away games - and they are likely to be in full voice at Jack Reid Park.

Arrowtown club president Simon Spark urged locals to "show their true colours" and dress in red for the match.

Mr Spark said Upper Clutha was planning to bring large numbers of supporters over, so it was important the Bulls knew they had the community behind them.

"We want supporters in bulk, and we want them wearing red.

"Get down here, wear red and our boys will know we're behind them."

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