Sometimes things are just meant to be.
Like tomorrow's important Central Otago club encounter between competition leaders Upper Clutha and Arrowtown.
A home game for Upper Clutha, the fixture was scheduled to coincide with the opening of Upper Clutha's spanking new clubrooms at the Wanaka Domain.
But with the delays that are inevitably associated with such happenings, the clubrooms will not be ready to occupy for another fortnight, in time for Upper Clutha's next home game against the Cromwell Goats.
So this week's Arrowtown fixture has been transferred to Tarras, 21km away.
That means the Neil Purvis Memorial Trophy (Purvis was the club's only All Black, back in 1976) will be at stake.
And guess who just happens to be playing his 100th game for Upper Clutha on Saturday? Yep, the late Neil Purvis' son Ben, who will lead the team out in the No 15 jersey.
"It couldn't be more appropriate," club captain Nathan Simon, who also played 100 games for the club, said.
"Tarras is allocated one match each season when the trophy is up for grabs. It is perfect that this game coincides with Ben's 100th game."
Tarras (population 231) is a quaint little settlement on the way to the Lindis Pass.
The clubrooms have only one changing room, which is always offered to the visiting team. The Upper Clutha players will change behind the curtains in the local hall.
Upper Clutha leads the competition on 22 points with Arrowtown third equal on 18. It also coincides with the club's sponsors' day.
Cattle grazing represents the club's major source of income. There will be a lot of farmers among the crowd tomorrow and a lot of dogs in the back of trucks in the car park.
Since drawing with Wakatipu, Upper Clutha has managed a hard-earned win against the Cromwell Cavaliers followed by a late splurge against Alexandra, winning the second half of that contest 40-0.
Upper Clutha's opponents are desperate to put together an 80-minute effort. Arrowtown capitulated in the final 10 minutes against Wakatipu (costing it the White Horse Trophy) and Maniototo.
Manager Ben Finn said the Arrowtown players had a couple of meaningful team sessions following the shock loss to Maniototo.
"It was about the need to maintain focus for 80 minutes, not 70," he said.
"After two losses, Saturday is a must-win occasion for us, to get our season back on track."
Arrowtown will be at full strength aside from lock Peter Grandiek, who suffered broken ribs at training two weeks ago.
Playing the curtain-raiser in Tarras will be the Cromwell Cavaliers, who have the bye this week (following Matakanui-Combined's withdrawal from the competition), and Upper Clutha's second team, the Merinos.
Wakatipu will defend the White Horse Trophy against Alexandra in Queenstown. Like Arrowtown, Alexandra has been falling away in the second half of matches after a couple of strong early showings.
"If we can maintain our focus for 80 minutes, we'll give Wakatipu a good run for their money," manager Marty Rendall said.
Maniototo, buoyed by its stunning win in Arrowtown, will take on the Cromwell Cavaliers in Ranfurly. A victory would push it close to the top four.
- Bob Howitt