Photo: Getty Images Arrowtown take on neighbours Wakatipu in the Battle of the Basin at Jack Reid Park tomorrow desperately needing to reclaim the championship points they have been docked for fielding unregistered players in the handsome victory over Alexandra in late April. Arrowtown won that contest 50-22, but because they fielded players who had joined the club only that week, they had those five championship points deducted and awarded instead to Alexandra. ‘‘It’s most unfortunate for the club,’’ coach Aidan Winter said. ‘‘It was a lapse by one of our officials and it has cost us dearly.’’ Arrowtown should be sitting comfortably in fourth place, six points clear of Alexandra, but after the setback now find themselves one point behind them. ‘‘It means we have to win this weekend to get ourselves reinstated on the points table.’’ Arrowtown took Wakatipu to the wire in their Super Saturday first round clash at the Queenstown Events Centre, when all Central Otago clubs celebrated the centenary of the White Horse Cup. Wakatipu escaped with a last-minute converted try, which suggests tomorrow’s contest should be keenly contested again. Winter is relieved that he finally has a full contingent of fit players. Wakatipu sit third on the points table behind Cromwell and Upper Clutha and have won their last six contests against Arrowtown, going back to 2023. Fine weather is forecast for tomorrow, although Jack Reid Park is in soft condition after heavy rain earlier in the week. Cromwell should not have too many problems surviving at the top of the competition ladder, being drawn against struggling Matakanui Combined at Omakau. Cromwell coach Rodger Dawson was hugely relieved that his players came through the Topp Cup weekend undamaged. ‘‘Last year we lost two players for the season out of the Topp Cup weekend,’’ Dawson said. ‘‘But this time they all came through unscathed. And Cromwell scored all of Central Otago’s points, which was gratifying.’’ Hayden Todd and Brayden Laing scored Central’s tries and Laing kicked all the goals in the 23-18 victory. Maniototo were beaten 31-7 by Upper Clutha in Wanaka in the opening round of the season but this time have the home advantage in Ranfurly. They will need to up their game, however, having managed just one victory in six outings — and in particular will need to vastly improve their defence against an Upper Clutha team who have scored 42 tries at an average of six a game. Upper Clutha claim the two leading try-scorers in the competition — Jack East with eight and Oliver Stirling with seven. — Bob Hewitt
