RIVALRY round will once again kick-off the 2020 Group Seven Rugby League season, following the release of the first grade draw on Monday.
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Saturday, April 4 will see Berry-Shoalhaven Heads host Gerringong from 3pm, before the Stingrays or Shellharhour take on Albion Park-Oak Flats at Flinders Field that night.
While Sunday will be highlighted by a replay of last year's grand final, as the 2019 premiers Kiama travel to Kevin Walsh Oval to face Jamberoo.
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The final match of round one will see arch-rivals Warilla-Lake South battle Shellharbour at Cec Glenholmes Oval - with Nowra-Bomaderry Jets having the bye, as Milton-Ulladulla will not field a first grade side in 2020.
With nine teams confirmed in first grade, there will be 18 home and away matches - with everyone playing each other twice.
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Each team will also have two byes, plus a spare weekend (July 25 and 26) has been put into the draw.
Following round one, there will be a break for Easter before round two commences on April 18.
Round two's Saturday afternoon fixture will see Nowra-Bomaderry kick-off their campaign against Warilla at the Nowra Showground before the Eagles host the Superoos under lights that evening.
In their 100th season, the Sharks will play their home opener at Ron Costello Oval against crosstown rivals Stingrays on Sunday from 3pm - at the same time as the Knights welcome the Magpies to the Kiama Showground.
Gerringong has the bye in round two.
Other games of note in the draw include the Stingrays hosting the Superoos in a Friday night fixture on April 24, the Eagles clashing with the Lions under lights on Saturday, May 16 at Centenary Field and Gerringong battling Kiama in their annual 2GB Continuous Call Team Cup game at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday, August 1.
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The competition will then run through until round 18, on August 22 and 23, before finals football starts the next weekend - ahead of the grand final on Sunday, September 20 at the Collegians Sporting Complex.
The full first grade draw will be published online in the coming days, with the other grades just waiting on final team nominations before they release their fixtures.