Matakanui Combined dropped out this week.
But there is at least one club flourishing in the Central Otago premier grade, and that is Cromwell.
It is fielding two teams this season - the Cavaliers and the Goats.
And unlike most clubs, Cromwell has an excess of players.
Club captain Russell Decke said they have a pool of between 60 to 65 players and "enough" front-rowers - they are as rare as a tap penalty these days. Decke puts the expansion down to population drift.
"Basically it is because of the growth in Cromwell at the moment," he said.
"A lot of people are moving in and there is a lot of development around the place.
"And with Clyde going out, we had a few players come over from there. So we have plenty of players to fill the two teams.
"We haven't recruited or anything."
Most other clubs would trade away Rugby World Cup tickets to have an expanding player base like Cromwell enjoys.
Its growth, though, has come at a cost. The club was propping up Clyde-Earnscleugh.
"We helped them out last year by sending, on average, 12 to 13 players down every week. We did not quite have enough to have two teams last year, so we just transferred whoever they wanted down.
"But this year we looked at the numbers ... and thought we'd go for two teams."
Initially it was proposed the two Cromwell teams would be relatively separate entities.
It was suggested the club would name 15 players who had to stick with the top side, and the rest could float between both teams.
But the practicalities proved too difficult, so the proposed restrictions were never imposed.
"We just talk on a Tuesday night - if they need a winger and we need a flanker sort of thing."
That polite relationship might break down later this month when the teams play against each other.
Asked whether there was a pecking order, Decke was reluctant to say which was the top side.
But Cromwell is not pulling the mohair over anyone's eyes - the Goats are the more experienced side.
Both teams have one win from three games. The Goats play Alexandra at Molyneux Park tomorrow, while the Cavaliers play Upper Clutha in Wanaka.