Few, however, were expecting them to pulverise Wakatipu in the manner they did, winning 35-7.
That included Upper Clutha coach Alex Dickson.
"They’re an easy team to coach," Dickson.
"They look for each other, but I wasn’t expecting that result, to be honest. They played out of their skins in the second half."
Wakatipu fans, who had made the trip across the Crown Range hoping to see their team claim the title for the first time since 2022, were not anticipating Upper Clutha’s total domination of their team in the second half.
Wakatipu led 7-3 with just half a dozen minutes remaining in the first half, lock Toby Higgins having scored a try after relentless pressure in the 16th minute.
That brought joy to the Wakatipu fans, but the signs were soon becoming obvious. Inspired by captain Lachie Garrick, Upper Clutha were taking charge of the lineouts and beginning to exert pressure in the scrums.
When Arthur Boutillier, their French flanker, made a scorching break, No 8 Jake Burtenshaw was on hand to finish off, allowing Upper Clutha to go to halftime holding a slender 10-7 lead.
The second half was all Upper Clutha.
Speedy left winger Jack East, following in the footsteps of prolific try-scorers Adam Breen in 2023 and Welshman Thomas Jarman last year, scored a stunning solo try one minute after the restart, adding another 10 minutes later.
Halfback Brodie Flannery, the only player to start in all 14 games throughout the season — but who would sadly limp off with a strained hamstring in the final moments — chimed in with a penalty, putting Upper Clutha comfortably 23-7 ahead.
Replacement backs Daniel O’Shea and Caleb Dixon rounded out the scoring for Upper Clutha with tries in the final quarter, only desperate defence saving Wakatipu from further embarrassment in the final moments.
Upper Clutha will now host Clutha in the Otago countrywide final at Wanaka this Saturday, having beaten Clutha Valley in last year’s final.
Upper Clutha are losing a couple of their star performers next season with prop Ben McKeich returning to Christchurch and outside back Milan Martinovich moving to Australia.
There were many who excelled for Dickson’s team on Saturday, most notably forwards Garrick, Burtenshaw, Boutillier, lock Andrew Horne and front-rowers Scott Cunningham (in game No 101) and McKeich.
East, who has played three seasons in Victoria, Canada, once again demonstrated what a wonderful asset pure speed is, proving a champion finisher.
Others who contributed mightily in the backline were first five Angus Faulks, midfielders Oliver Stirling and Martinovich and speedy fullback Henry Schikker.
The victory means Upper Clutha complete the season not only as club champions but also holders of the White Horse Trophy, the first time they have managed the double since 1972.
Central final
The scores
Upper Clutha 35
Jack East 2, Jake Burtenshaw, Daniel O’Shea, Caleb Dixon tries; Brodie Flannery 2 con, 2 pen.
Wakatipu 7
Toby Higgins try; Rube Peina con.
Halftime: Upper Clutha 10-7
— Bob Howitt
