At just past the halfway stage in Citizens Shield rugby, Old Boys (31) and Kurow (28) look warm favourites to make the top four and semifinals.
At the end of the first round it looked to be all over for Excelsior and Valley but both have shown second-round form that has lifted their hopes.
Both, for example, have defeated fourth-placed Athletic Marist and when the two met, Excelsior won by two points.
With seven rounds remaining both teams have opportunities to make the semifinals.
This weekend, Kurow will come to town to play Athletic Marist on No5 ground at 2.45pm, Excelsior meets Old Boys on No1, while Valley travels to Maheno to play the third-placed Maheno side.
Old Boys showed a little of its Achilles heel in the wet, windy, cold conditions last week, holding off Maheno by a mere seven points, and must show greater adaptability to play to the conditions.
Kurow should beat Athletic Marist. Its organised back play is certain to pressurise the Athletic defence. Maheno always seems to relish the home air The visiting Valley side will have to continue to lift its game, built around its strong, aggressive forward pack.
Old Boys has fielded a lot of criticism over the default to Kurow.
Many critics of the decision have doubted Old Boys' reasoning for the default.
But overall there are few defaults in premier rugby.
Kurow defaulted after the tragedy last May, in which a player lost his life in a car crash, a default that was completely understandable and expected.
But the rugby union, under chairman the late Ivan Rowland, refused to accept a Kurow default back in the early 1970s, caused by a heavy snowfall.
Instead, the game was postponed and the season's final game, between Athletic and Kurow, was eventually played after two representative matches had been played.
Old Boys, whose season had been completed, had a one-point lead over Athletic. Kurow came to town, defeated Athletic and the Citizens Shield went to Old Boys.
Vandalism at Centennial Park before the rugby season has resulted in serious damage to the coaches, PA and media boxes at the back of the stand.
Front panels have been kicked in, walls smashed and electricity plugs and connections have been pulled from the walls, leaving wires exposed in areas, which is disappointing.
- Terry O'Neill
