Any time the top two teams in a twelve-team league go head to head, safe to call it a "big game".

The top of the table Sudbury Cyclones (7-1-3) head off Saturday to face The Borough (5-1-5), staring directly at a chance to put a little breathing room between themselves and a second place squad that is four points back.

As the locals head into the final two months of Ontario League1 Men's Championship play, the merging of the various factions that have combined in allowing the Cyclones to shine in their promotional year to this level has been key to the team's success.

"There are a lot of different players coming from a lot of different schools and a lot of different coaching that they received there," said winger-striker Josh Vivero, a newcomer to the squad who has starred for the Cambrian Shield in recent years.

"Putting it all into a groove on one team, managing to have chemistry together, to play with each other to the best of our abilities, that's taken some getting used to."

The Cyclones racked up their latest victory a week ago at home, edging Waterloo United 3-2 on goals from Timi Aliu, Jaiden Santo and Cedric Devos in a highly physical affair that featured 11 yellow cards and a red.

The victory helped atone for a 5-0 loss at the hands of the same opponent just ten days earlier as the Sudbury men look to their final ten-game stretch of the season.

"Although there have been some bumpy games, I think we've proven that we're a team to be reckoned with, a team that deserves to be at the top of the table," said Vivero. "I think we've proven to have the technical skills, the heart and passion to be able to play at the top level."

The Cyclones will play a pair of home games in early July, hosting North Mississauga SC (4-4-3) on July 5th and York United Academy (4-3-4) in a rare midweek encounter up north (July 9th), before heading south again on July 13th, making the long trek to southwestern Ontario to do battle with Windsor City FC. (3-6-2).

Coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Whitby FC (game-winning goal scored in 90th minute), the Sudbury Cyclones' women are looking for a confidence builder this weekend at home, matching up against Unionville Milliken SC, the team that currently sits last in the league at 0-8-1.

With a record of 3-6-0, the Sudbury ladies will take to the pitch at Cambrian College Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.