Wakatipu proved too good for its neighbour Arrowtown in the the Central Otago premier rugby final, played at Molyneux Park in Alexandra on Saturday.
Wakatipu prevailed 16-7 in what was a tough, physical match between rivals and "good mates".
Having acquired the White Horse Cup by beating Cromwell last month, Wakatipu can add the premier final trophy to its collection and the win has secured the side a game against Clutha Valley in the Otago Country Wide final, in Clydevale on Saturday.
Wakatipu's only try was scored by Marcus Balchin and converted by Regan Pearce, and penalties were kicked by Pearce, Tony Farley and Brad Robertson.
Player of the match went to Balchin.
Arrowtown's points came from a try to Hori Elders, converted by Dylan Fletcher.
Player of the match went to Daniel Dodds, who played his 100th game for the side.
Wakatipu assistant coach Damian Petre said the team would "knuckle down on Thursday afternoon" once "we get our celebrating out the way".
A half-time score of 3-0 to Wakatipu was disappointing, Petre said, but playing into the wind in the second half forced the side to commit to more serious game play, which made the difference overall.
"There were limited opportunities. I guess we took them and that was the difference [between Wakatipu and Arrowtown]."
Reserve Brad Patterson echoed the need for celebration and said, while there were no injuries, after the mandatory festivities, "we will see how the guys pull up" for the coming weekend final.
"It's been seven years [since Wakatipu last won the premier final], so the guys celebrated long and heartily yesterday."
Arrowtown Premiers coach Hayden Finch said Wakatipu deservedly won the match, Arrowtown having failed to maximise its opportunities in the second half.
"When we were down 3-0 we had the opportunities, but they played the more controlled game in the second half.
"It was very physical, as it always is between Wakatipu and Arrowtown." Wakatipu deserved full "bragging rights" because of its win and for being "the most consistent team all year", Finch said.
While it was "great" for Arrowtown to end the rugby year having made the finals, there was obvious disappointment it had not been able to follow through with a finals win.
The last time Arrowtown won the premier final was in 2009.
"We've lost three finals in a row. We thought we could take it out," Finch said.
However, on a positive note, Arrowtown flanker Ben Chisholm was named Central Otago player of the year on Saturday.
