The Wakatipu and Arrowtown rugby teams both had wins at home on Saturday in the lead-up to one of the most highly anticipated games of every season.
Wakatipu made a welcome return to form, beating Upper Clutha 42-7, and Arrowtown dispatched the previously unbeaten Clyde-Earnscleugh side at Jack Reid Park, with the full-time score 20-7.
The Arrowtown result means no team in the Central Otago Premier competition has an unblemished record, which will make for an interesting game at the Queenstown Recreation Ground next Saturday in the first of two Battles of the Basin.
Wakatipu captain Regan Pearce said, while there was still "a bit of work to be done", his side was stronger up front and delivering clean ball to the back line.
"It took them a wee bit to get going, but the floodgates opened in the second half.
"It was a great result."
Pearce said Saturday would be a "big game for everyone involved" - particularly those unfamiliar with the Arrowtown-Queenstown rivalry on the rugby field.
"They won't know what they're in for until game time."
Although Pearce broke his arm earlier in the month, he was hoping to be able to come off the bench during the second half, he said.
Metal inserted in the same arm last year - after another break - was doing "all the work that needs to be done", he said.
"If I feel as though I'm capable ... I'll come off the bench.
"It's a big game ... and it's one I very much do not want to miss."
And while Arrowtown may be affected by the start of the duck-shooting season, which begins on Saturday, the Wakatipu side had made a decision to put the Battle of the Basin first, Pearce said.
"There are duck hunters in the team, but we know that this game is far more important than shooting ducks."
Kickoff is at the Queenstown Recreation Ground at 2.45pm on Saturday.
