Just two rounds in the regular season remain before the playoffs, where the top two teams play each other — the winner getting a week off before the final — and third clashes with fourth in a sudden death game.
Everyone likes to see an even competition, and the 2024 campaign has been one of the best in years.
Each of the six clubs is alive and has plenty to play for.
Defending champions Valley have had issues with depth but lead the Citizens Shield standings with six wins out of eight. They are on 28 points, two clear of Excelsior, who set the standard in the first half of the year but are really wobbling, and have lost their past three games.
Then there is a dogfight for the other two semifinal positions.
Old Boys (22 points) are looking ominous, Kurow (21) are dangerous, Athletic Marist (20) can be lethal on their day, and Maheno (17) might be bottom but they are no easybeats.
The picture could become slightly clearer this weekend but, equally, the final week could arrive with absolutely nothing sorted.
The clash of the round tomorrow is between Old Boys and Athletic Marist.
Old Boys, with Tini Feke leading the competition on nine tries and Inoke Naufahu top of the scoring charts with 98 points, are fresh off big wins over Excelsior (53-22) and Maheno (50-17) and are starting to look extremely potent.
Athies have struggled for consistency and will need to be wary of giving Old Boys too much leash.
Excelsior simply need to learn how to win again.
They host Maheno, who will be aware their season is almost certainly done if they are beaten.
The final game is an intriguing all-country clash at Weston, where Valley can guarantee a place in the top two if they beat Kurow.
Round 10 games a week later are Athies v Blues, Kurow v Old Boys and Maheno v Valley.
