The highlight this weekend is the 280th premier game between Clutha and Crescent, two of the oldest clubs in South Otago.
They will battle it out for the Speight's Challenge Jug, which has been given to the competition for the first round only, on a home-and-away basis.
Heriot held the trophy at the start of the competition, scored a good win over Owaka, but lost the jug to Crescent, which had the bye last week.
This week's game should be a classic. Both teams have 132 wins in the fixture, and there have been 15 draws.
Clutha has scored 2818 points to Crescent's 2752.
Clutha has the backs to outpace any side, but Crescent has a forward pack that could starve Clutha of the ball.
Clutha's pace comes from Kane Teunissen and Tyler Bichan in the back three. Add Rhys Harrold at second five with his goal-kicking, and this should give Clutha the edge.
Crescent forwards gave it their all against Heriot and if they can do the same tomorrow, they could take away a four-pointer.
Unbeaten Toko travels to Heriot and will be looking for another five-pointer.
Heriot has been disappointing in the past two weeks, and will need a big improvement to stay in contention.
The Toko forwards hold the key to the game, with Simon Scott, Brendon Sheath and Tim Howie in top form.
Ben Adam and Braden McSkimming are very good runners with ball in hand.
Another unbeaten team is Clinton, which surprised Heriot last week, and if on form could give Clutha Valley a real shake.
There are no big names in the Clinton side but the players are doing everything they are asked.
Clutha Valley looked down and out against Toko at halftime last week, trailing 20-8, but came back well in the second spell to lose only 30-27.
- Norman Woods
