Heriot and Lawrence players contest a lineout during a Southern Region premier club rugby game played in Heriot earlier this season. PHOTO: SUSAN J CHURCH PHOTOGRAPHY

This weekend’s matches across the Southern Region have huge ramifications with semifinal footy only three weeks away.

The game of the round takes place at Clydevale where Clutha Valley host Clutha.

Valley sit third on the ladder and look almost certain to lock a spot in the semifinals.

They are coming off a professional win over Lawrence last weekend which led to them regaining the Miller Cup.

Clutha are still unbeaten after 10 games and looking as strong as ever.

The defending champions put Clinton to the sword last weekend to carry on their run.

Valley tested Clutha in round one before some forced substitutions resulted in them running out of steam. In the mud at Clydevale, this clash should be interesting to say the least.

Second-placed West Taieri head to Kaitangata to take on Crescent.

West Taieri are comfortably in the top four but need to keep winning to be assured of a home semifinal.

Crescent are coming off the bye and sit sixth.

Such is the closeness of the top six, Crescent are still in with a big shout of making the semifinals, but a win here is crucial.

Toko dropped out of the four last weekend after their loss to West Taieri was coupled with a Heriot win.

Toko host Clinton and will jump above Heriot again if they get a positive result due to Heriot having the bye.

Toko will be favourites against a Clinton side who are yet to win a game.

Club day at Swamp Hen Park will include Owaka hosting Lawrence. Both teams are locked in the bottom four and are nursing plenty of injuries.

This match promises to be a belter, with a large crowd expected.

Owaka skipper Daniel “Chub” Miller is playing his 50th match for the Hens. — Francis Parker