Being the most entertaining team in the competition and winning the most games is one thing, but winning a championship is infinitely more satisfying.
Upper Clutha delighted their supporters who turned up in droves at the Wanaka Domain on Saturday by claiming the Central Otago title, which had so narrowly eluded them last year, in the most emphatic manner, beating Alexandra 46-10.
Before Saturday, Upper Clutha had won 33 and drawn one of the 37 games they had played across three seasons, but the formula for winning finals kept eluding them.
Under the guidance of Alex Dickson, who took over the coaching duties from Garry Hape, they sure sorted that out on Saturday, ultimately overwhelming the plucky Armadillos, who had outgunned them in identical circumstances 12 months earlier.
After a tense opening quarter when the teams managed just a penalty each, Upper Clutha took control of the lineouts, which led to three tries being scored in the 12 minutes before halftime for a 25-3 scoreline.
Without inspirational captain Tyler Ford — who seriously damaged his knee in the semifinal against Wakatipu and may require major surgery — Alexandra were never going to make up that deficit.
Dickson appointed lock Lachlan Garrick and midfielder Oliver Stirling as joint captains for this year, a strategy that worked. Besides their leadership qualities, they were consistently among the team’s standout performers.
Garrick turned in another massive performance on Saturday, consistently frustrating Alexandra in the lineouts, while Stirling scored one of his team’s six tries.
Those six tries brought Upper Clutha’s aggregate for the season to an astonishing 80, which may well be a Central Otago club record.
Jarman, from the Llanidloes Town Football Club in Wales, sadly will not be involved here next year. His visa expires in February and he will be returning to Wales.
He has loved his time here, flourishing mostly on the wing for a team that has played thrilling attacking rugby all season.
His father Geraint has followed his fortunes online through the Otago Daily Times.
"He’ll be over the moon that we’ve won the title", Jarman said.
Another Dickson strategy that paid off was switching goalkicking whizz Brady Kingan from first five to halfback a month ago.
Kingan’s swift service sparked his team’s talent-laden backline while he kept landing goals with deadly accuracy, finishing with 169 points for the season.
Other Upper Clutha players who contributed mightily to the victory were centre Sean Murray, No 8 Jake Burtenshaw, Garrick’s locking partner Andrew Horne and hooker Scott Cunningham, who also scored a try.
Alexandra coach Lee Wilson conceded that Upper Clutha were too good on the day.
"We’re chuffed that we reached the final for the second year running, and we gave the final our best shot, but they were on fire."
The Alexandra forwards competed well. No 8 James Dobson was a standout, and midfielder Michael Murtagh-Loader scored a cracking individual try.
But the Armadillos could not contain Upper Clutha’s classy backs, who ultimately controlled the game.
— Bob Howitt
