Athletic Marist lock Epineri Logavatu jumps to score in the corner under the pressure of Excelsior centre Oli Knopp at Centennial Park. PHOTO: YAMMIE MCKENZIE PHOTOGRAPHY

The opening weekend of duck-shooting means rugby under lights and a Pasifika festival in North Otago.

Country clubs Valley and Maheno hosted games last night as usual to allow players to rush off to the mai mais early.

Valley hosted Kurow in a big country clash, while Excelsior made the trip down the road to play Maheno at home.

Valley remained unbeaten before the game.

After trailing at halftime against Old Boys, the Weston men came back to win 33-20 last week.

Defending champions Blues were back in form to beat Athletic Marist 26-17, while Maheno notched their second win of the season with a 38-26 victory over Kurow.

Old Boys will host Athies at the A&P Showgrounds for Pasifika Day tomorrow, wrapping up the final week of the opening round of the Citizens Shield.

Both Oamaru clubs are packed with talent from the Pacific Islands and the annual clash is a chance to celebrate their culture through rugby.

It is the third consecutive Pasifika Day event which involves stall holders, good food and music to bring the community together.

Athies have won the Pasifika Kings of Rugby Bowl the past two seasons and will be hoping to retain it this year.

Athies have been strong this season to claim two wins and a draw — against Valley — and sit comfortably inside the top four.

Old Boys have come close, but have only grabbed the one win so far and sit outside the top four.

But they have had some big battles in the past and all that Pasifika flair on show will be hard to look past for both sides.

Big Athies No8 Junior Fakatoufifita will come up against his former team and joins captain Savenaca Rabaka in a lethal loose forward combination.

Tini Feke sparks plenty in the Old Boys backline, Mason James has been solid at first five and Kelepi Funaki never lets them down in the front row.