The first games in the second round of the 2013 Central Otago Rugby Championship gave both Queenstown sides a wake-up call.
Wakatipu held on to the White Horse Cup by the skin of its teeth, drawing 12-all in its game against Alexandra, and Arrowtown was ''beaten up'' by a tough Cromwell side in Cromwell.
Saturday's game likely spelled the end of the season for Wakatipu captain Regan Pearce, out with a shoulder injury.
If that was the case, it was possible he would lace up his boots again next year, he said.
Despite retaining the White Horse Cup on Saturday, Pearce said it was only a matter of time before his side was ''found out''.
''We can't keep expecting to win. Another word for that is complacency.
''Alex proved on Saturday, even though it was a draw, we are beatable ... it pains me to say that.''
After leading 12-0 at halftime, the home side spent the entire second half defending and was lucky to retain the trophy, given Alexandra missed seven shots at goal, Pearce said.
''I really don't know what's going on.
''It's just a case of every game blowing opportunities.''
Wakatipu will also be without Danny King, probably for the rest of the season, after he injured ligaments in his ankle in an off-field incident, while Toi Roberts has been stood down for a fortnight after the No 8 sustained a concussion during the match on Saturday.
Pearce said following the on-field incident in the second half, described as ''just wrong'', an all-in brawl erupted, resulting in both Roberts and Dan Iosefo being sent to the sin-bin.
''All they [Alexandra] wanted to do was mongrel and pick fights.''
Arrowtown coach Hayden Finch said his side was ''outdone up front'' and made too many mistakes in the first 20 minutes to recover in its 17-10 loss - its second of the season.
''It was a good wake up call for us, though.
''We've got a lot of work to do to try and be in the hunt for the semifinals.
''Cromwell is by far the hardest team we've played all year.''
Finch said the Bulls were due to play Upper Clutha in Arrowtown this Saturday, however, it was likely the remainder of the side's home games for the season would be played at the Queenstown Events Centre.
The turf at Jack Reid Park had not stood up well to the heavy rain and snow last month.
''At this stage, we are booked to play in Frankton.''
