Nice way to start premier rugby season

It was a beautiful sunny day to kick off the Central Otago premier rugby season on Saturday and, with another chilly winter with frozen grounds and bitter southerlies sure to come later in competition, the pleasant conditions were a nice way to start.

The Wakatipu Basin's big hopes had contrasting success.

Arrowtown started with a win against Cromwell, while Wakatipu got off to a rough start, losing to Upper Clutha, 18-10.

Even taking into account the rust factor expected in the first game of the season, it was a scratchy performance at best from the Wakatipu Premiers.

The forwards looked solid enough, with old warhorse Nick Cournane at the heart.

Brad Robertson certainly did not look out of place at No 10 outside the impressive Karlo Aggerholm, who was Wakatipu's player of the day.

But even in the pre-match warm-ups, too much ball was being spilt and Wakatipu will have to drop the error rate if it wants to beat Arrowtown this Saturday and walk away from Jack Reid Park with the White Horse Cup.

It is exciting to have the much anticipated local derby so early in the season, and to have the White Horse Cup at stake adds an extra dimension.

Despite a poor first-up effort from the Wakatipu Premiers, they will most definitely have every chance against Arrowtown.

The 35-19 win flattered the Arrowtown Bulls a little.

They jumped out of the blocks with a couple of quick tries, but then uncharacteristically took the foot off the throat. But just when the game tightened up and was there for Cromwell to take with 10 minutes to go, the visitors faded and allowed Arrowtown to run in a couple more tries and secure a win.

Arrowtown will again be a big threat in the forwards, with Ben Chisholm at the back of a big, experienced and skilful pack.

The backline, however, has a very new, unproven look about it.

The move from wing to flyhalf suited Daniel Eyles, who seemed to relish getting his hands on the ball a bit more, and new young face Kane Dodds kicked extremely well from the spot and put in a man-of-the-match performance from fullback.

Arrowtown versus Wakatipu traditionally attracts a crowd of 500 plus and, with Wakatipu having a good chance of snatching the holy grail of Central Otago rugby, the White Horse Cup, expect a massive crowd at Jack Reid Park this Saturday. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.