Maniototo, coming off a three-game winning streak in the Central Otago premier club competition, receive a rare opportunity to challenge for the coveted White Horse Trophy when they tackle Upper Clutha at the Wānaka Domain tomorrow.
Few of the current Maniototo players have experienced the thrill of winning the celebrated White Horse Trophy, which was first competed for in 1926, but one who has is classy new first five Ben Maxwell.
Maxwell captained Cromwell when they lifted the trophy from Maniototo six seasons ago and contributed many distinguished performances as captain, halfback and goalkicker before ultimately the trophy moved on to Upper Clutha.
Maxwell relocated to the Maniototo this year and has been performing with distinction at first five, outside Matt Horne, the Otago Country halfback.
The last occasion Maniototo won the White Horse Trophy was in 2019 after pulling off a stunning last-gasp try against Wakatipu at Queenstown.
A club’s name is only inscribed on the trophy if that club retains it at season’s end, and Maniototo lost it a fortnight later to Cromwell (who would hold it for another two seasons).
Upper Clutha beat Maniototo 38-17 when they met in the opening game of this season, but Maniototo coach Ken Wills admits his side was rather ill-prepared at that stage.
"It’s hard getting players coming from a farming environment prepared for challenging contests as early as March," Wills said.
"We were competitive but giving away two intercept tries didn’t help."
In recent weeks, Maniototo, or the Maggots as they are commonly known, have beaten Wakatipu, Matakanui Combined and Arrowtown to sit comfortably in fourth place.
Maniototo have lost experienced flanker Peter O’Malley to a head knock, but otherwise have all their players available.
Alexandra, sitting second just one point behind Upper Clutha, take on Cromwell at Anderson Park, where coach Lee Wilson concedes has not been a happy hunting ground for his team in recent seasons.
"But this year we have been fortunate to suffer few injuries, which has given us so many more options," Wilson said.
"I’m very happy with where we are at going into the second round."
Cromwell have managed just one victory and one draw in their six matches to date. They have a powerful pack that consistently heaved Wakatipu back in their contest last weekend.
But Cromwell could not match the speed and skill of the Wakatipu backs and ultimately lost 40-8.
Having Rhys Harrold back at first five will help but the smart money will be on Alexandra.
The remaining game pits Matakanui Combined against Arrowtown at Omakau, their first-round clash producing a 66-15 victory for Arrowtown. Neither side has won since.
Matakanui Combined are finding victories elusive these days but, remarkably, have their name on the White Horse Trophy more than any other club, 33 times, having dominated in Central Otago initially from 1947 to 1963 and again in the 1980s.
