The pointy end of the Southern Region season is fast approaching and this weekend’s clashes are pivotal for all sides involved.
It starts at Kaitangata, where top-of-the-table Crescent host bitter rivals Clutha on their club day.
Some recent digging through the archives has found that this is the 300th time the two sides have contested a rugby game in a rivalry that dates back to 1877.
Clutha are in second spot on the ladder, and a win will see them close the gap with Crescent.
The McIntosh and Centennial Cups are also both on the line too, just in case the match was not important enough already.
Owaka host Clinton at Swamp Hen Park with the Bill Mitchell Memorial on the line.
Rivalries do not get much bigger around the Southern Region traps, and these clashes are always closely fought and extremely physical.
Owaka are on a two-match winning streak after their win at Milton a fortnight ago.
Clinton have not tasted victory in a while and are towards the bottom of a congested bottom five.
West Taieri are in joint second place and are in a reasonable position inside the top four.
The reigning champions head to Heriot this weekend to try to take maximum points from the home side, who have yet to win a game this season.
Lawrence host Toko in another game that could go either way.
Lawrence have avoided the injury curse for the most part this season but Toko are under the cosh, with several key players absent for the long term.
This will be an exciting encounter with the home side perhaps going in as favourites.
- By Francis Parker
