Newcomers Weymouth and Papakura have waited throughout the entire first round to finally come up against one another in what shapes as each club’s target game.
The two sides meet at Massey Park in Papakura on Saturday having lost each of their previous six games this season – all by fairly big scores.
But the road back to the McNamara Cup was never going to be easy and a win on Saturday will mean the world to one of the two sides.
“Yeah, this is definitely the game we’ve been building towards and every game throughout this first round,” Weymouth coach Lio Neueli told Counties Sports Hub.
“The boys are aware of what’s in front of us, and there’s a real intent around making this one count.
“After a tough loss against a champion side like Pukekohe last weekend, the lads have responded the right way, turning up to training on Tuesday with a positive mindset.
“We’ve been honest about our performance, taken the learnings, and are now focused on turning those negatives into positives throughout the week on and off the field.”
Neueli knows his team will need to make a significant step up if they are going to taste their first victory in a long time.
“For us, it’s about doing simple things well and for longer periods,” Neueli said. “We definitely need to complete our sets and stay connected defensively. When we’ve shown patience and built pressure, we’ve looked our best, so that’ll be key.”
In other games, Pukekohe will look to ride a five-game winning streak into their clash with neighbours Patumahoe in a battle between two top four sides.
Manurewa hosts Karaka at Mountfort Park with both teams hoping to secure a fifth win of the season.
Top-of-the-table Ardmore Marist head to Bombay – the home side will search for a win that keeps them in touch with the leading sides at the midway point of the competition.
Waiuku will look to cement themselves in the top four of the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 competition when they face Papakura.
Puni, fresh off their first win of the season, hosts Karaka in the Sid Marshall Shield competition.
In other games, Onewhero travels to Manurewa, Drury hosts Te Kohanga, Maramarua and Tuakau meet in Maramarua while defending champs Te Kauwhata travel to Pukekohe.
In the Massey Cup U21 grade, Karaka hosts Patumahoe, Ardmore Marist and Manurewa meet at Pulman Park while RuaNorth welcomes Pukekohe.
Second placed Waiuku visits Drury in the U85 competition while top ranked Karaka takes on Hamilton Marist in Hamilton.
Bombay hosts Patumahoe, Beachlands Maraetai travels to Morrinsville while Pukekohe face Fraser Tech in Hamilton.
Manurewa hosts College Rifles in a key Women’s Premier match at Mountfort Park.
Weymouth and Papakura meet in the Women’s Premier 2 grade at Massey Park while Pukekohe hosts Eden at Colin Lawrie Fields.
