Just four weeks remain in the Bayleys Southern Districts' Premier rugby competition and the playoff picture is coming more into focus.
Mid Northern and Old Boys Marist have cemented their positions in the finals after wins last week.
OBM scored 14 tries in their 86-7 win over cellar-dwellers Hikurangi, while Mid Northern outlasted the Western Sharks 46-33 in a 13-try thriller.
Both have relatively easy runs home with only Mid Northern playing any side currently in the top four.
Meanwhile, Waipu gave themselves some breathing room when they beat Mid Western at home 42-20. They are now eight points ahead of Wellsford.
More importantly, they are ahead of fifth-placed Western Sharks by 10 points.
Given their tough final two games against Wellsford and Mid Northern, they'll be hoping to take full advantage of their next two weeks.
They take on Kamo and Hora Hora, who are both out of playoff contention.
The battle for the last position in the playoffs looms as the most intriguing.
Just six points separate Wellsford, Western Sharks, Otamatea and Mid Western.
Wellsford are in the box seat at the moment but with the toughest draw going forward, will want to take the points when they travel to Western Sharks.
The winner of this fixture will put themselves in a great position as Otamatea plays OBM and Mid Western go up against Mid Northern.
With an upset unlikely in either fixture, Wellsford could extend the gap between them and the chasing pack.
Alternatively, Western Sharks could move into the top four with a win.
In other divisions, two top-four battles highlight this week's fixtures in the Bay of Islands Seniors.
Top side Moerewa are at home against third-placed Ohaeawai, while Kerikeri travels to United Kawakawa.
Kaeo play Kaikohe and Okaihau take on Otiria in the other games.
There are also three vital matches in the Mangonui Seniors.
Aupouri take on Kaitaia, Awanui play Panguru and South Hokianga travel to Te Rarawa.