Heriot and Clutha will both be seeking to break a drought when they clash in the final of the South Otago premier competition in Heriot today.
Clutha has not won the title since 2000, and Heriot has not won it since 1994.
The two teams were head and shoulders above the rest this season, and it is fitting that they have reached the final.
Both teams have only lost one game - to each other. Clutha won 23-17 in the first round, but Heriot bolted to a 40-5 win in the second.
Heriot has home advantage and will start as the favourite. It has scored a whopping 113 tries this season. Star fullback Bill Maiono has scored 20 of them and Mike McHutcheon (17), Jordan Anderson and Shaun Tauti (12 each) have also had a nose for the tryline.
Heriot's balanced side includes a pack built around loose forward Tauti and front-rowers Craig Stanway and Blair Young, and a backline where Jye Cormack and Adrian Clague can create opportunities for the Maiono, McHutcheon and Aaron Kimura.
Clutha, however, has had a very good season and will field backs more than capable of converting half-breaks into tries.
The Clutha forwards know they will have a real battle against the Heriot pack, and the final may come down to which team secures more quality ball.
The final is also the last chance for South Otago players to impress the Otago Country selectors.
By Norman Woods.
South Otago Club rugby final
Where: Heriot.
When: Today, 3pm.
Who: Heriot v Clutha.
Teams
Heriot: Bill Maiono, Jordan Anderson, Mike McHutcheon, Aaron Kimura, Chris Chittock or Scott Stiven, Adrian Clague, Jye Cormack, Brad Lapthorne, Shaun Tauti, Nathan Stuart (captain), Cam Russell or Quentin Brennsell, Ash Kinaston, Blair Young, Dylan McKenzie, Craig Stanway. Reserves: Mark Jane, Richard Redditt, Jimmy Anderson or Lachie Brennsell, Karl Woosley, Lee Stiven, Chris Chittock or Scott Stiven.
Clutha: Tyler Bichan, Sylvester Reeves, Blake Korteweg (captain), Craig Bichan, Kane Teunissan, Rhys Harrold, Cameron Young, Kerrod Baldwin, Mala Saiomi, Simon Grant, Scott Hollows, Michael Souness, Gavin Stuart, Kurt Turnbull, Dan Groen. Reserves: Daniel Miller, Joe Laban, Jason Watt, Damon Clement, Jayden Stoop, Bevan McCall or Chris Roxburgh.
