But after five straight victories, the latest a 45-19 demolition of Alexandra under lights at Anderson Park on Thursday night, Cromwell lead the competition.
Just how far Cromwell have come will be more obvious when they host the other unbeaten team, Upper Clutha, who monstered Arrowtown 54-0 in a White Horse Cup contest at Wānaka, also under lights.
Upper Clutha, who have lost only one of their past 24 games, gave an impeccable display of attacking rugby, scoring eight tries, two of them going to their latest standout winger Nico Bowering.
Following in the footsteps of Adam Breen, Welshman Thomas Jarman (who scored a whopping 16 tries in 2024) and Frenchman Ulysse Martineau, 23-year-old Bowering caused the Arrowtown defence endless concerns.
Having represented Otago as a sprinter, he played in the Otago club competition for Green Island last season before relocating to Wānaka.
Upper Clutha coach Mark Evans was not sure how his team would go after losing two players to injury during the week, but inspired by regular superstars Oliver Stirling, who goalkicked impeccably, massive lock Andrew Horne and skipper Lachie Garrick, they never let Arrowtown into the game.
Ironically, Arrowtown turned down two easy three-pointers in the opening moments, revealing a positive approach, but whereas Upper Clutha scarcely made a handling mistake all night, Arrowtown repeatedly fumbled when launching dangerous attacks.
Cromwell lock Stefan Blakeborough went from villain to superstar in the opening quarter of their game against Alexandra.
Barely five minutes into the game, he was sin-binned for foul play. To coach Rodger Dawson’s relief, his team kept Alexandra scoreless for the next 10 minutes.
Within moments of his return to action, Blakeborough redeemed himself by scoring a try.
Cromwell went ahead 20-5 before conceding a converted try right on halftime.
The second half was dominated by Cromwell, with winger Clay Dawson, a teenaged graduate from Cromwell College, scoring two tries and winning the man of the match award.
Alexandra coach Andrew Fisher is not too despondent that his team have yet to record a championship point. That should change this Saturday when they take on Matakanui Combined at Molyneux Park
"We’re not far off putting it together," Fisher said.
"We’re forcing the last pass all the time and making mistakes. We’ll come right."
Maniototo recorded their first victory of the season, downing Matakanui Combined 34-11 on Friday with Jack Wild contributing two of his team’s five tries.
By Bob Howitt
