Kurow and Valley are on track to make it a repeat of the 2021 final, won by Kurow 24-13 as the Red Devils got their hands on the coveted shield for the first time in 39 years.
They also met in the 2018 decider, when Valley triumphed in front of one of biggest, and loudest, crowds in the history of North Otago club rugby.
Kurow, starting to look ominous as it gets all its players on deck, leads the standings after eight rounds with 29 points (six wins, two losses), while Valley is second on 28 points (five wins, two losses and a Covid draw).
Old Boys might have something to say about the situation — they remain lethal on their day, and are only third behind Valley due to points difference — but there is no doubt country rugby holds the whip hand in the province.
If Kurow goes back-to-back, or if Valley can reverse the scoreline, a country club will have its name etched on the Citizens Shield for a fifth straight year, something that has not happened since Union (1979, 1981 and 1983), Kurow (1980 and 1982) and Maheno (1984) combined for a six-year spell of rural dominance.
Valley effectively secured a top-four spot with a 38-23 win over Maheno last weekend, and coach Shane Carter is quietly hopeful his team will stay in the hunt till the final day.
"I don’t quite know how this season is going to end, because there are really no easy games.
"We’ll just have to take what comes, but we’re happy enough with where we are at.
"The only issue is depth. We’ve had really good numbers in the past but this year has been tough, for whatever reason."
Valley’s two remaining games in the round robin are against wildcard Athletic Marist and Kurow.
Valley beat Kurow in the first round, but the Red Devils have since been strengthened by classy midfielder Hayden Todd, and there is talk former Highlanders first five Hayden Parker will again front up for the business end.
"You look at their personnel, and the calibre of those guys," Carter said.
"They’re tough, uncompromising, and they’re going to be tough to beat. That’s a good challenge for our boys."
Valley has the cliched mix of youth and experience this season.
Sam Sturgess, Cameron Rowland and Jake Greenslade form the core of a seasoned pack, while youngsters Asesela Ravuvu, Isaac Clunie and Ben Paton feature in a backline guided by relative veteran Jake "Mouse" Matthews.
Citizens Shield rugby takes a break this weekend.
