Friday night football returns with two matches of first grade rugby league scheduled for the Highlands.

In a Group 6 match, Mittagong host Camden at the Mittagong Sportsground, with junior matches kicking off at 6pm and 7.15pm before the top grade at 8.30pm.

On the other side of the shire, Robertson is hoping to continue its unbeaten home record in Group 7 with a win over Albion Park at the Showground.

There is absolutely no excuse for Highlands sports fans not to turn out in support of their favourite local team this weekend.

Don't like rugby league? No worries.

Try rugby union or soccer on Saturday or basketball or hockey on Sunday.

Mittagong Lions president Geoff Alcock said he expected a huge crowd for the Lions match tonight.

“Being a Friday night game we should be looking at a big gate and hopefully the television [NRL] game is a dud so people will support the Highland team,” he said.

And Alcock may have his wish if the weather holds up.

The Lions will be looking for their first win of the season after heavy losses to Moss Vale and Narellan.

They were competitive in both matches but ran out of puff in the second half.

The on-field rugby league action has been good, but off the field there is still considerable tension between the competition administrators Country Rugby League and some clubs.

The News understands a renegade meeting was organised by a group of clubs on Wednesday night against the wishes of the CRL.

It is believed these clubs still have problems with the way this year’s Group 6/Wests Juniors merger was handled by the CRL.

An official meeting between the clubs and the CRL is taking part next week and more information will be known then.

For full details of the rift see next week’s Southern Highland News.