The business end of the Central Otago premier competition starts in earnest tomorrow as there are just six rounds left until the playoffs.
The teams vying for the top four will be keen to cement their spots while those below will be looking to knock off the big guns to take some pride from their seasons.
Alexandra hosts high-flying Wakatipu and will be looking for a better showing than the round two game against the same opposition when it went down 107-7. Alexandra has made progress since then.
Coach Bevan Passmore laid blame for the defeat last time around against Wakatipu on the tackling effort, and a strong defensive showing will be needed tomorrow.
There has been no lack of effort from the lads in green but the odd lapse in concentration has resulted in a blowout in some of the games.
Wakatipu will be keen to continue its fine form and should be too strong.
Cromwell travels to Omakau to take on Matakanui Combined which is still struggling to find any consistent form. Cromwell won 38-10 on April 7 and it is hard to see the home side taking much change out of the return leg.
Cromwell, for its part, has been chugging along quietly and is hanging on to a top-four position.
It has struggled with consistency and putting together an 80-minute performance but there are signs it is not too far away.
Upper Clutha should continue on its winning way and a repeat of the 25-3 second-round result over Arrowtown would not surprise too many followers.
The team from Wanaka and its surrounds seems to have found that 10% that has been missing over the past two seasons and is playing a good brand of footy. At home this week, it should be too good.
Arrowtown has been a mixture so far this season with some promising showings mixed with some disappointing results. It received a good old kick up the pants last round and will be seeking to put that right this week.
Maniototo hosts Clyde Earnscleugh at Ranfurly and will be looking to consolidate on its previous performance when it tipped over last year's beaten finalist, Arrowtown.
Maniototo had a good 36-29 win the previous time these two sides met. It would be an upset if there was a result reversal but the home team will be wary of taking the Clyde-based side lightly.
Clyde Earnscleugh had several new players join its ranks at the start of the season and has taken a little time to build combinations but indications are this is starting to happen.
- Malcolm Jones