The opening day of duck-shooting once again takes priority over Southland club competitions this year.
To accommodate the popular southern pursuit, the top two premier divisions are playing their games midweek, while the division one and two grades have the week off altogether.
In the Galbraith Shield competition, Woodlands hosts Marist tomorrow night at 7.30pm. These two sides met midway through last month in pool play when Marist won 54-7.
Woodlands has a much improved squad in terms of quantity and quality since that match, but the side remains a clear underdog against Marist which has won all six of its games this season.
The Eastern Northern Barbarians lost to Marist 36-7 last week but will start as hot favourites against Pirates Old Boys tomorrow night at the Gore Showgrounds at 7.30pm.
Pirates Old Boys was beaten 48-8 by Blues last week. Blues has a much sterner test tomorrow night against Star at Centrepoint Park at 7.30pm. These two sides met midway through last month in pool play when Star won 35-20.
In the premier B competition, Edendale will host near neighbour Wyndham at 6.30pm tomorrow night.
Edendale's Devon McLeod converted all six of Edendale's tries in its 45-21 win over Midlands last week.
Riversdale plays Waikaka in Mossburn tomorrow night at 7.30pm.
The third game in this division will be played between Te Anau and Midlands in Te Anau tonight, kicking off at 7.30pm.
-By John Langford