While much of the focus has been on the juggernaut that is Midlands this season, out eastern Southland way there is a club that is quietly going about its business in impressive fashion.
Midlands extended its 2018 Southland division one club rugby record to seven straight wins when it proved too powerful for defending champion Edendale, winning 36-17 at Edendale.
However, at Waikaka, the home team was also notching up another win this season.
Waikaka opened the season with two losses but over the past five weeks has emerged as a real threat in the division one competition.
The latest in the string of five straight wins was against Mossburn on Saturday. The home team led 7-0 on the back of a Clayton Rowland try before a second-half try to Jordie Bungard helped lock up the 17-0 win against a spirited Mossburn outfit.
Waikaka’s forward pack led the way and those wearing the lowest jersey numbers — Rowland, Matt McCall and Irishman Scotty Stevenson — were to the fore.
Halfback Dylan Bungard also impressed.
Waikaka has been aided in recent weeks by experienced coach Bretton Taylor jumping on board to assist coaches Willie Orpwood and David White in working through the game plans.
A mouth-watering showdown is set up for this Saturday as Waikaka gets to put its form spike to the test when it travels to Winton to take on top-of-the-table Midlands.
In week one of the 2018 season, Midlands beat Waikaka 16-10, at Waikaka.
In other division one games on Saturday, Wyndham retained its third spot in the competition standings with a 28-11 win over Te Anau, while Riversdale proved too good for Waiau Star, winning 36-7.
In section A of the division two competition, the battle of Gore was predicted to be the game of the weekend for Southland club rugby, and that proved to be the case on Saturday.
Albion-Excelsior and Pioneer sit first and second on the competition standings and Albion-Excelsior emerged as the 28-24 winner.
In other section A division two games, Riverton scored a 30-24 win over Waikiwi, while Drummond-Limehills-Star found its groove with a big 33-5 victory over Tokanui.
Six points was the biggest winning margin in section B action, which was headlined by a high-scoring thriller between Blues B and Wakatipu.
The two teams racked up 81 points between them, unbeaten Blues emerging the winner, 41-40.
Second-placed Star B beat Woodlands 12-10, while Marist B sneaked past Pirates-Old Boys B 19-13. The Ohai-Nightcaps and Mataura showdown was the highlight in division three as Mataura scored a tight 17-15 win.
Bush Pirates picked up their second success of the season with a commanding 29-5 win over Collegiate at Collegiate, while Bluff ran out a 67-26 winner over Balfour-Lumsden.
- Logan Savory