For the record the Blue team defeated the Gold team 33-21, after leading 12-7 at half-time.
The match was played on the University Oval No 5 ground after it was originally supposed to be in Alexandra.
As heavy snow blanketed the province, the trip to Alexandra was ruled out because of road closures, so it was decided to switch the game to Carisbrook.
But it was under a blanket of snow and and the match was switched to the University Oval outer ground, about two and a-half hours before kick-off.
The wind chill factor brought the temperatures into the negatives, but both sides were willing although handling errors were hard to avoid.
Otago coach Steve Martin said he was pleased with the intensity of the trial and the way players had got into their work.
"It was what we would have expected in an Otago trial. That is the sort of intensity which is required if you want to play at a higher level," Martin said.
Martin said he had deliberately matched up some players against others and some had really shone.
There was a lack of continuity at times, but Martin said that had to be expected as teams had not had much more than one practice together.
He said if anything the trial may have created more questions than answers.
Despite the poor weather, everyone wanted to play the game, and all players were available.
Martin was set to name a squad in the next couple of days to train over the next few weeks in preparation for the four pre-season matches.
That squad would include all Highlanders available for selection although Alando Soakai, Sean Romans and Tom Donnelly are in Fiji for the rest of the month playing for the New Zealand Juniors in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Midfield back Aaron Bancroft did not play in the trial, and is in contract negotiations with the Otago union.
Otago plays its first pre-season match on July 1 against North Otago.
Defence dominated in the first 20 minutes yesterday and referee Ross Barnett also dished out plenty of penalties.
But once winger Siaosi Folau went over after a barging run from Luke Herden, the shackles were broken and all up eight tries were scored.
The line-out was relatively even, though Alhambra-Union lock Cowan Finch pilfered a bit of ball. Seko Qaraniqio also gained some ball at line-out time and got round the field.
The Blue scrum dominated in the first half with props Sam Hibbard and Keith Cameron getting into their work.
Openside flanker Carl Anderson looks to have bulked up and he had a real ding-dong battle with Eben Joubert.
Out the back, Herden, though he is no Usain Bolt, did little wrong, and always made the advantage line in the midfield.
Sam Young was tidy at first five-eighth but both backline defences were up quickly and too many passes were given and received under pressure.
Poor options with men unmarked outside them also plagued some backs at times.
• Five to shine
John Legg: A former New Zealand under-19 player, Legg, a halfback, has come down to Christchurch to try and crack the Otago team. Looked quick, and possessed a good pass.
Glenn Dickson: Kicked the goals, and played the percentages well. Freed up his outsides well in the No 10 jersey, but got a nasty knock on his shin forcing him off near the end.
Sam Anderson-Heather: The Dunedin hooker took the ball up with plenty of purpose and hit his line-out jumpers well. Also part of a dominant front row.
Lucky Mulipola: Gone was the disinterest of last year. The winger ran hard, looked for work and scored a try he started from 70m out, in his bright red boots.
Jason Macdonald: Another man who may have been reborn, the hooker showed some real life around the paddock, and had a couple of good runs down the outside.
• Blue 33 (Siaosi Folau 2, John Legg, Brett Mather, Warren Kearney tries, Glenn Dickson 4 conversions), Gold 21 (Lex Kaleca, Lucky Mulipola, Ryan Shortland tries, Sam Young 3 conversions) Half-time: 12-7 Blue.
