When the pundits were assessing what might happen in the Central Otago premier competition this year, few were listing Cromwell as serious championship contenders. But after five straight victories, the latest a 45-19 demolition of Alexandra under lights at Anderson Park on Thursday night, Cromwell lead the competition. Just how far Cromwell have come will be more obvious when they host the other unbeaten team, Upper Clutha, who monstered Arrowtown 54-0 in a White Horse Cup contest at Wānaka, also under lights. Upper Clutha, who have lost only one of their past 24 games, gave an impeccable display of attacking rugby, scoring eight tries, two of them going to their latest standout winger Nico Bowering. Following in the footsteps of Adam Breen, Welshman Thomas Jarman (who scored a whopping 16 tries in 2024) and Frenchman Ulysse Martineau, 23-year-old Bowering caused the Arrowtown defence endless concerns.…