NEWTONMORE and Kyles Athletic's eagerly awaited Camanachd Cup semi-final at Mossfield Park, Oban, will see the weekend winners returning to the same venue on September 15 to meet Inveraray.
These two rivals are arguably the best two teams in the game at present and, with the quality of squad available to the respective managers, Saturday's encounter looks like being a treat for the shinty purist.
Both teams are chasing a league and cup double with Kyles sitting top of the Orion Group Premiership with 22 points, two ahead of Newtonmore who have played two games less.
There has been little between the teams in their meetings over the last two seasons.
When they last met, the points were shared after a 3-3 draw at The Eilean in March and replicating the outcome of their 2011 meeting in Badenoch which finished in a 1-1 draw.
A last-minute Danny MacRae goal in a crunch end-of-season fixture played at Dunoon Stadium due to Kyles' pitch at Tignabruaich being unplayable, gave Newtonmore a 2-1 win to clinch the 2011 Premier Division.
When the teams met in last year's MacAulay Cup final, Kyles stole the show with two late goals giving them a memorable victory.
If Saturday's game has anywhere near as much excitement as these recent duels, the expected large crowd will be well entertained. The match is being televised live and to fit in with BBC Alba schedules, the throw-up is at 4.05pm.
The top match in the Orion Group Premiership will be at Blairbeg Park where Glenurquhart face Lovat in a local derby, with Lovat having the chance to go second in the table if they register a league double over Glen.
Lovat triumphed 5-1 over their neighbours back in late May, however Glen have strung some good results together recently and will be looking to continue in this vein when Lovat trek over the hill to Drumnadrochit.
Fort William are Kingussie's hosts in a mid-table encounter, whilst Inveraray will begin their build-up to the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup final with a trip to Bute where anything other than a win for the island side will officially confirm their relegation.
With North Division One leaders Caberfeidh having the day off on Saturday, Skye can make a return to the top of the table should they account for Beauly in Portree in the first of three league meetings still to take place between the teams.
Lochaber and Strathglass have also to face up to each other three times before the season is over and on Saturday, the teams meet at Spean Bridge where title favourites Lochaber will expect to win with a bit to spare against a struggling Strath side.
Inverness have taken three points off Lochcarron to date this season, following up a 2-2 draw at the Bught with a fine 4-1 win at Battery Park in late April.
Should Calum MacLeod manage to spur his men on to another win over the Wester Ross outfit at the Bught on Saturday, the city side would take over fifth spot from their opponents.
North fixtures, all throw-ups 2.30pm unless stated: Saturday, Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final - Kyles Athletic v Newtonmore (at Oban, 4.05pm).
Orion Group Premiership - Bute v Inveraray, Fort William v Kingussie, Glenurquhart v Lovat.
Marine Harvest North Division One - Lochaber v Strathglass (1pm), Inverness v Lochcarron, Skye v Beauly.
Marine Harvest North Division Two - Newtonmore v Glenurquhart (noon), Aberdeen University v Skye, Kinlochshiel v Fort William, Lovat v Kingussie, Lochaber v Glengarry.
Marine Harvest North Division Three - Beauly v Lewis, Inverness v Kilmallie (noon), Strathspey v Lochbroom.
