Clyde rugby fan Ray Goodall wrote a book in 2016 about the White Horse Cup, the oldest trophy in New Zealand rugby history.
At the time he told the Otago Daily Times the cup, donated by White Horse Distillers Ltd, through its Dunedin agent, R Wilson & Co, in 1926, was about the grassroots of the sport, free of "rugby politics".
Mr Goodall said yesterday the only time he was aware of the White Horse being forfeited over the past 92 years was when a winning side was found to have fielded an unregistered player.
He had never before heard of a club protesting the final score of a White Horse match, but on Monday afternoon Wakatipu did just that.
The board will consider the issue tonight to determine which side won the controversial game.
While referee Matt Green called it a 31-31 draw, Wakatipu believed the score was 31-30 in its favour.
There was no scoreboard in play during Saturday’s game in Cromwell and, while it appears the halftime score is not in dispute — 26-6 to Wakatipu — the final score has left many scratching their heads and crunching numbers.
The official match report in Monday’s ODT said Cromwell, in the second 40 minutes, scored three tries, two of which were converted, and slotted two penalties.
Wakatipu co-coach Brett Anderson is staying tight-lipped, due to the appeal.
However, it is understood the Wakatipu side is adamant Cromwell converted all three tries and only one of two penalties was successful, which would have given it 30 points on the board — one point shy of Wakatipu, which scored one unconverted try in the second half.
Cromwell coach Matt Ludemann earlier told the ODT his captain, and kicker asked Green before the last successful conversion what the score was and was told "29-31".
At the same time it is understood Wakatipu was told by a sideline official it was 28-31.
Wakatipu, in the dying minutes, got possession, held on to the ball and at fulltime kicked it out, believing it had won, before the draw was called.
Management from both sides apparently kept score throughout the game, but those numbers are also understood to conflict.
Now, it is up to the Otago Rugby board to sort out which team rightfully holds the White Horse, but without any known video footage, that may be easier said than done.
If it determines Wakatipu did win, its first defence would be this weekend, against Clyde Earnscleugh.
If Cromwell is found to be the rightful winner, the White Horse will go on the line again next Saturday, when the home side faces Maniototo.