Week 15 marks moving time in the Bayfair Baywide premier club rugby competition, with a number of potentially season-defining match-ups scheduled for Saturday.
An ominous Te Puke Sports side will host unbeaten competition leaders Tauranga Sports at Murray Salt Stadium in a clash beaten the two top teams.
The defending champions have not always been up to their own high standards this year, but sit in a handy position in more ways than one with a month remaining before the semifinals.
Set to lose only Tim Bond and Nathan Harris to Steamers duty for the knockout stages, Te Puke will like their chances of going back-to-back this season.
Elsewhere, clashes between teams on the brink of the top four makes for a big day in the larger scheme of things.
Third-placed Greerton Marist will travel to Blake Park to face a Mount Maunganui side locked in a four-way tie for fourth place.
Both teams will be desperate to enhance their chances of reaching the post-season, with both still to meet Te Puke Sports in the final rounds.
A collection of teams surging in recent weeks have chances to keep their momentum alive against some of the competition's lower placed sides.
Opotiki, tied for fourth on a two-match roll, face Paroa at Lawson Park in a big game for both sides.
Opotiki have a tough run in and will likely need this one to threaten, while last season's promoted Division One side Paroa find themselves five points back of Rangataua in the relegation race.
Two other sides in a tie for fourth on 34 competition points - Te Puna and red-hot Rotoiti - will meet at Maramatanga Park.
Rotoiti have not lost since falling to Paroa on May 18, and with a favourable schedule over the closing rounds will like their chances if they can continue their streak this weekend.
Te Puna, who have been on the brink of the top four for much of the season, need a win at their fortress to keep pace with the competition contenders.
Rangataua have a real chance to virtually guarantee another year in the top flight with a match against Whakarewarewa at Puarenga Park. Whakarewarewa have lost six straight after being on the pace in the early stages, while Rangataua are coming off their best performance all year.
The men of Te Ariki Park smashed Te Puna last week and, with a reasonable draw the rest of the way, would love to pick up some points before a clash with Paroa in week 17.
Division One
Waikite's match against leaders Poroporo shapes as the highlight of Division One action. Poroporo have an impressive 12-2 record in this year's competition, but they will be facing a fired up side with everything on the line. Waikite are in fifth place, just two points out of the top four, so will not be short of motivation.
Second-placed Rangiuru sit just one competition point back of the leaders and with an easier match against last-placed Ruatoki in prospect, will like their chances of increasing their pressure on Poroporo.
A massive clash between Kahukura and Te Teko at Dunderdale Park is the other big match of the round. The teams sit in third and fourth place on the ladder respectively, with only a point separating them.
Ngongotaha will play Katikati and Whakatane Marist will host Marist St Michael's in the round's other matches.