Matches are not necessarily won by the so-called stars of a team, and often the most inspirational performances do not come from members of the winning teams.
This was amply illustrated in the performances of Maheno and Kurow last Saturday.
Maheno, which fielded talented players of the ilk of inside back Robbie Smith, centre Joe Marston and No 8 Matt Mullins, suffered a 31-24 loss to Excelsior.
It was an improved performance by Maheno, for which right winger Kyle Beck provided the inspiration. Beck has played well above his weight - not that there is much of that - over the years.
He is fearless on defence and is the epitome of the club rugby player who plays game after game without any recognition for higher honours.
Kurow has yet to win a game this season but the signs were there last week, against competition leader Old Boys, that the breakthrough win might not be far away.
The forward pack lacks bulk and size but it has a backline led by talented Fijian Simeli Koniferedi and hard-running midfielder Levi Fogarty.
Kurow trailed 33-10 at halftime, and many expected Old Boys to power away in the second spell. Remarkably, the second half was drawn 12-12.
The arrival early in the second half of former North Otago loose forward Regan Laughton gave the Kurow pack, with Laughton as ball-carrier, some momentum. Its hard-driving tactics kept Old Boys on the back foot as some of its pack appeared loath to do the hard yards.
Laughton's experience is vital to the Kurow side.
He first played for North Otago in 1999 in the old third division before going with North Otago into the second division in 2003.
His last game for North Otago was in 2007, when the Old Golds beat Wanganui to win the Meads Cup, his 58th game for the province.
Tomorrow, appropriately, Kurow will host Maheno at 2pm. Old Boys will play Valley on the No 1 ground at 2.45pm, a game Valley will need to win to get some momentum back into its season. On No 5, also at 2.45pm, second-placed Athletic Marist plays fourth-placed Excelsior.