Photo: Getty Images Cromwell edged out Wakatipu 25-21 in a cracking contest at Anderson Park on Saturday to remain unbeaten in the Central Otago premier club competition, getting home thanks to a massive scrum that won a penalty try 13 minutes from time. Wakatipu, brilliantly inspired by captain Rube Peina, had led 7-0, 14-8 and 21-18 and appeared on the verge of a notable victory with time running out. But with massive input from props Alex Chubb and Tyson Clark, Cromwell shunted the Wakatipu scrum backwards inside their 22m. The referee reset the scrum after the first collapse but after the second one he headed for the goalposts to award the home team a seven-pointer. The drama had not finished for the afternoon, however. In the remaining 12 or so minutes, each team had a player sinbinned, and Peina, who scored the first try of the afternoon, almost single-handedly rescued the game with a searing late run. A desperate Cromwell defence just held on to register their ninth straight victory. This time they won without any significant input from super boot Brayden Laing, who had amassed 92 points in the first eight games. On this occasion, he landed just one close-range penalty from five attempts. Wakatipu coach Tom Cunningham was not too despondent at losing to a penalty try. ‘‘We’ve worked hard at improving our scrum, and Cromwell have a powerful eight. ‘‘Sometimes these things are just the rub of the green.’’ Cromwell’s heroes, besides the big boys up front, were midfielders Rhys Harrold and Hayden Todd, flanker Reon Buchanan, who controlled the lineout, and skipper Stefan Blakeborough. Wakatipu’s best, besides Peina, were first five Logan Beggs, winger Harry Walker-Leach, who scored his seventh try of the season, and loose forwards Anton Huisman and Tom Ria. Wakatipu had the misfortune to lose Josh Aperahama-Paenganui with a hamstring strain that may have put him out for the season. Upper Clutha had problems dealing with Alexandra in Wanaka in 2024 and 2025, but the visitors never seriously challenged the White Horse Cup holders this time, the home side winning 31-3. Two of the Upper Clutha’s five tries went to halfback Joshua Cook, giving him eight for the season, while speedy winger Jack East picked up another five-pointer, taking him to nine. Upper Clutha have the bye next weekend then travel away to Arrowtown before defending the White Horse Cup against unbeaten Cromwell, which should be a memorable contest. Maniototo, meanwhile, registered their second win of the season, outgunning Arrowtown 37-21, six tries to four, in Ranfurly. It represented a remarkable turnaround, Maniototo having lost their first encounter with Arrowtown 47-5. — Bob Howitt
