It may be only a game old but the Highlands Derby is quickly becoming a highlight on the local sporting calendar.
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Southern Highlands Storm will 'welcome' Robertson Spuddies to Community Oval on Saturday for their Round 9 fixture.
While formed in late 2019, the Storm played their first season as part of Group 6 before moving to the South Coast-based Group 7.
Joining the third grade Regan Cup put them on a collision course with the Spuddies, who took out the premiership in 2020.
Their first meeting in Round 2 saw Robbo flex their muscles with a 32-6 victory and being bestowed with the honour of inaugural bragging rights.
While rivals on the field, the clubs have already come together off it to promote rugby league in the region.
Starting this year, Spuddies juniors has joined the Storm juniors while their men's senior sides remain separate.
But that co-operation will be suspended for 80 minutes this weekend with Spuddies coach Blake Meyer saying the game would be personal for both teams.
"I'm sure there's plenty of rivalry, lots of the boys know each other and everyone wants to get one up on each other," Meyer told the Southern Highland News.
"A bit of healthy rivalry is always good. Storm will only keep growing which will be good and Robbo will always be strong. It will be a good fixture for years to come I reckon."
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Robertson have had an up and down season so far with two draws holding them back in sixth position on the ladder while their opponents sit in eighth, fueling the importance of this fixture.
Meyer was philosophical about their fortunes so far this campaign with a number of head injuries depleting their stocks.
"[We're] looking to climb back up the top, those two draws didn't help. It would have been nice to finish those games off but you can't win them all I guess."
"We're missing a lot of the bench really, lots of head knocks but hopefully they'll be fit for the end of it and finish us off nicely."
Group 7 Regan Cup - Round 9
Southern Highlands Storm v Robertson Spuddies
Saturday 12 June, 2pm
Community Oval, Moss Vale
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