Having lost both home games this season, the Arrowtown Premiers rugby side’s ‘‘100%’’ focused on righting that ledger this afternoon.
Standing in their way, however, is the comp’s most-improved side, Alexandra, who opened their season by surprisingly beating Wakatipu in Queenstown.
‘‘We’re not taking them lightly and we’re going to have to play some good rugby,’’ coach Simon Harper says.
In their last outing, before last weekend’s bye, Arrowtown very nearly had their second win of the season.
Playing Maniototo in Ranfurly, they led 19-7 at halftime, fell off the pace then regrouped to draw the game 26-all.
‘‘We thought we’d scored again to win, but unfortunately the referee was unsighted,’’ Harper says.
Arrowtown’s been bolstered by the recent arrival of two Scottish players and four Fijians, including one who’s defected from Cromwell to join his mates.
Today’s kick-off at Jack Reid Park is at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, Wakatipu lost their White Horse Cup challenge against Upper Clutha, in Wānaka last Thursday night, 19-3, after the teams were locked 3-all at half time.
They play Matakanui Combined in Omakau today.
Wakatipu Wanderers last Saturday beat Invercargill Blues — last year’s winners of their South land comp — 39-10 at home.
Out of the frying pan …
Having lost their season-opener to Dunedin’s King’s High 36-0, Wakatipu High’s 1st XV play their first home game today against last year’s
Otago Schools Rugby Championship winners, Dunedin’s John McGlashan College.
The team’s playing for the first time in the championship’s top-six division.
Despite last weekend’s lop-sided scoreline, manager Steve McIsaac says they were ‘‘relatively competitive’’.
They were only down 5-0 over the first half hour, and didn’t lose any of their scrums or lineouts, ‘‘which was pleasing’’.
Today’s game kicks off at WHS at 12.45pm, following a curtainraiser at 11.15am.
