Tomorrow, at its home venue of Molyneux Park, Alexandra will tangle with the other competition goliath, Upper Clutha, which averaged 38 points a game last season when its only defeat was in the semifinals against Wakatipu.
Upper Clutha coach Garry Hape had high regard for Alexandra after what it achieved last weekend and said his team would be out to "extinguish the Alexandra flame".
They had a lot of promising younger players in their squad.
They also had a key playmaker in Tyler Ford, and they seemed to have the culture right.
"We’ll need to turn in an 80-minute performance."
Alexandra coach Lee Wilson, who will miss tomorrow’s game, being in Australia on business, said while the win over Wakatipu represented a "dream start", his team would need to quickly refocus against an opponent as dangerous as Upper Clutha.
The team will be prepared by assistant coach Vaughan Healey in Wilson’s absence.
Wilson hoped the contest would attract a good-sized crowd to Molyneux Park.
"One of our goals has been to re-engage our community and the best way to do that is to achieve a bit of success."
Both teams came through their opening encounters unscathed, although Upper Clutha is still without star loose forward Nick Inch, who was injured in a pre-season match. He will be out for several more weeks.
Maniototo and Cromwell Goats, who fought out a titanic semifinal contest last year — the Goats just getting home 24-19 — will clash at Ranfurly, where many a visiting side has come unstuck.
The Goats will be looking to first five Rhys Harrold, who took control of their opening fixture against Arrowtown, to control play again.
Arrowtown will be looking to open its account, after being well beaten by the Goats, when it clashes with Matakanui Combined at Jack Reid Park.
Captained by Dean Sinnamon, Matakanui Combined won its three pre-season fixtures and, coming off an opening-round bye, is determined to turn in a strong showing.
Written by Bob Howitt
