Arrowtown lost 45-12 to the defending Central Otago champs in Wanaka last weekend, and despite scoring a try in each half, "we didn’t really fire a shot", captain Ryan Egerton admits.
"We just didn’t win the contact area, every contest we were back-pedalling and didn’t really get the chance to use our backs as much as we would have liked."
Having recorded a good opening win against Matakanui Combined at Jack Reid Park, "it’ll be nice to keep it like a fortress like we have done in the past", he adds.
"I think if we try and use our backs, who seem to be our strength again this year, we should come away all right ."
Alex, however, will be smarting from their failed White Horse Cup challenge in Queenstown last weekend, going down 31-3.
Wakatipu, who scored four good tries, travel to Omakau this Saturday to play their second game of the season against Matakanui, before facing a cup challenge from Arrowtown a week later.
Meanwhile, Wakatipu Women ran up a cricket score, 117-0, against Lower Mataura Valley in Queenstown last weekend, and this Saturday take on Albion at home at 1.15pm.
And, for a clean sheet for the Wakatipu club, their Wanderers beat Upper Clutha B 36-17 in a preseason game in Wanaka last Saturday.
Speaking of the club, stalwart Les Nelson got a surprise when he was made a life member after the Alex game.
A longtime player and administrator, he also played a major role in building the club’s clubrooms and upgrading its changing rooms and showers.
- This Saturday, Wakatipu Women v Albion, Queenstown Recreation Ground, 1.15pm; Arrowtown Premiers v Alexandra, Jack Reid Park, 2.30pm; Wakatipu v Matakanui, Omakau, 2.30pm.
