It is the battle of the carpark.
Athletic Marist hosts Excelsior tomorrow and will want to reverse its fortunes from a first round 20-15 loss against its resurgent neighbour.
And nobody would love to see Athies get one-up on their rival, and record their third win, more than coach Graham Pitches.
"It’s going to be another tough one," Pitches said.
"They got over the top of us in the first round, so we’re looking for a little bit of redemption this time around."
Athies have won two of their seven games this season, notching up wins over Maheno, 36-32 in round two and 42-40 a fortnight ago.
But they have been dealt some close losses, being pipped by Old Boys (24-21) and Kurow (23-21) in the first round.
Those results have been enough for Athies to secure fourth place so far on 14 points, behind Valley (35), Excelsior (20) and Kurow (19).
Maheno (14) and Old Boys (12) are knocking on the door to overtake that fourth spot.
It is a tight tussle in the lower part of the ladder and Pitches was frank about Athies’ performances, labelling them "very inconsistent".
"Just not putting 80 minutes together. We’re sort of going good for 60 and then not so good for 20."
Athies’ stocks have been bolstered this season through players relocating to Oamaru from the Pacific Islands for work, resulting in the Oamaru club fielding a president’s grade side for the first time in several years.
"It’s taken a lot of work over the last couple of years and that, but it’s really good to see it all starting to reap some rewards now."
In the other Citizens Shield games, Valley is home to Maheno and Old Boys host Kurow.
