What promised to be a showpiece became another mud scramble as the weather deteriorated shortly after kickoff following torrential rain throughout the morning.
After Cromwell, in search of their 12th straight victory, scored a stunning try in the third minute, courtesy of a scorching break by replacement captain Hayden Todd, Upper Clutha took control.
Despite most of the players becoming coated in mud, Upper Clutha turned on an exemplary display of quality rugby.
"It was probably our best performance to date in the worst of conditions," he said.
He lauded powerhouse forwards Andrew Horne and Rhys Hughes for their performances.
"I was delighted with the overall performance. It was wet-weather footy at its best."
Cromwell manager Russell Decke conceded his team were outplayed in conditions that were so challenging.
"We didn’t reclaim the trophy, but when you consider where we were 12 months ago, losing our final match to Wakatipu 52-0 after winning only two games all season, we can be pretty pleased with our achievements this season."
Cromwell seriously missed their injured captain, Stefan Blakeborough, being outgunned in the lineouts, where Lachie Garrick, Samuel Masterton and Horne took control.
Wakatipu are securely in third spot but came horribly unstuck in Ranfurly against Maniototo, a team they had beaten 28-14 in Queenstown back in May, losing 24-5.
It is the third year in a row they have lost at Ranfurly against a farmer-dominated Maniototo team who usually take a month or two to hit top form.
The crunch game next Saturday features Maniototo against Alexandra at Molyneux Park with the winner claiming the fourth semifinal spot. At the moment they are equal fourth on 21 points.
By Bob Howitt
