Underdog Upper Clutha will be looking to cap a memorable season when it heads to Arrowtown to play the local side in the Central Otago club final this afternoon.
Upper Clutha finished in the bottom half of the table for several years before making the final against the same opponent last season.
It has been a surprising change in fortune for the Wanaka-based club, with some new faces and old heads combining to lift the side into the final for a second straight year.
Upper Clutha has won eight games out of 14 this year.
Earlier in the season, it beat Arrowtown, which had won 10 straight games, 20-0.
Arrowtown will be hoping to defend its Central Otago title as well as retain the White Horse Cup, first played for in 1926.
Arrowtown has never had its name engraved on the cup - an honour reserved for the team holding it at the end of the season - and a change to the format means the cup is on the line in the final.
With 12 wins from its 15 games this season, Arrowtown goes into the final as a strong favourite.
Otago Country squad members Aiden Winter, Daniel Dodds and Dan Iosefo will be expected to have big games in the forward pack for the home side.
Coach Blair Wilce believes winning the battle up front is the key to success for Arrowtown.
He thinks the match will be dominated by the forwards, with the sloppy pitch surface playing a big role.
Upper Clutha's major concern is an injury to playmaker Sam Gibbens.
The Otago Country squad member broke his nose in the side's 23-20 win against Wakatipu in last weekend's semifinal.
Blindside flanker Tane Tawera also has a broken nose and has made himself unavailable.
However, the loose forwards lose nothing in his replacement, veteran Kerry Hondelink.
He and openside flanker Ben Lucas will compete well with Arrowtown's star loose forward trio, and youngster Ben Purvis will look for a big game from fullback.
One key factor for both sides may be Jack Reid Park's notorious slope, which is good for at least 10 points.
• Central Otago final
Arrowtown v Upper Clutha
Jack Reid Park, Arrowtown
Today, 2.45pm
