After losses to Maniototo and Upper Clutha, the acid is right on Wakatipu as they travel to Molyneux Park to tackle in-form Alexandra tomorrow.
Alexandra, finalists the past two seasons, have established a telling eight-point advantage over Wakatipu, and a win tomorrow would virtually assure them an important home semifinal.
Wakatipu know they can beat Alexandra, having dealt to them 31-3 early in the season, but while the Armadillos have improved match by match, Wakatipu have struggled for consistency and know tomorrow represents a huge challenge.
Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera says last weekend’s bye was "really beneficial" for his team.
"We had a really close watch of the replay of our White Horse Cup challenge against Upper Clutha, identifying areas where we went wrong.
"We’ve identified areas where we can improve."
Alexandra have had a confidence boost with five players being named in the Central Otago team for next weekend’s Topp Cup clash with South Otago; centre Tyler Ford, — also named as captain — prop William Holdom, No 8 James Dobson, lock Will Healey and halfback Ryan O’Neill.
One who did not win selection but who was a standout against Cromwell last weekend was Ryley Park, who showed extreme pace and elusiveness at both second-five and later at wing.
One of the most startling features of Alexandra’s 40-26 win over Cromwell was the power of their scrum, heaving the locals back ruthlessly in the opening quarter to create two telling tries.
Arrowtown, sitting a forlorn sixth in the competition after the shock loss to tailenders Matakanui Combined, have home advantage to Upper Clutha, but it may not be enough.
Upper Clutha had to work overtime to retain the White Horse Trophy against Maniototo, but hung in valiantly to record the 39th win from their last 44 games at Arrowtown’s expense.
Maniototo beat Cromwell 40-12 in their first-round clash and it is hard not to see them coming out on top when they meet at Ranfurly tomorrow. Forty is a score Cromwell have now conceded three times this season.
Rhys Harrold’s return at first-five gave them a lift against Alexandra, but they demonstrated in that game that there is still room for massive improvement.
- By Bob Howitt
