After Sydney Uni and Norths both lost last week, just one win separates the top four sides heading into round 11.

West Harbour and Manly will both be looking to secure their spot at the top end of the ladder when they meet at Concord and Easts take on Eastwood for a spot in the top six.

West Harbour v Manly

West Harbour will be bolstered by the inclusion of Waratahs giant Taqele Naiyaravoro for Saturday’s crucial clash against Manly at Concord Oval.

Speaking to Rugby News earlier this year, Naiyaravoro said he enjoyed spending time with the Pirates.

“You quickly realise how much club rugby means to people and that’s why every chance I get to go back and play club, I take it. I really enjoy playing with the boys who are trying to make Super Rugby and I just try to help as much as I can,” the UK bound winger said.

“Sometimes it’s a lot more fun. There isn’t as much structure and it’s more about just enjoying your rugby. Not saying that Super Rugby isn’t enjoyable, but club has a different feel about it.”

West Harbour have had a two week break from rugby following a bye and the long weekend but have only lost one of their last six matches.

They host a Manly side on Saturday who got the result they wanted last week against Parramatta, despite a disappointing performance according to coach Billy Melrose.

The Marlins have won their past four matches but face a tricky few weeks with clashes against West Harbour, Sydney Uni and Warringah.

“Wests play a very fast, physical game and they’ve got plenty of key ball runners and skill,” Melrose said.

“They are going to front up at home so we need to do the same or we may as well stay home.”

Southern Districts v Parramatta

Southern Districts got out of jail via a long range penalty goal from Christian Kagiassis after a disappointing performance against Randwick at Coogee.

“We’re very glad we got the win but we were really disappointed with our effort,” Rebels coach Matt Barr said.

“We struggled to exit out of our half all game and turned over too much ball. Thankfully, we started to retain possession towards the end of the game and were able to play our way back into the match, then win it after the siren.”

Souths are expected to welcome back Jed Holloway for Saturday’s clash against Parramatta but it’s not known if the Waratahs big man will start or play from the bench.

Parramatta were made to pay for a red card to centre Jaline Graham early in the match in last week’s loss to Manly.

“The whole group is disappointed after last week. We had high hopes and felt extremely positive and confident going into the match,” Two Blues coach Paul Hardwick said.

“Being reduced to 14 players early in the game, while we rallied, it took its toll on us in the second half.”

While a finals appearance looks unlikely this year, Hardwick said the group remained positive about the back end of the season, however he has been forced to make a number of changes this week through injury.

“It’s a good chance for some guys who have deserved an opportunity in first grade to test themselves,” Hardwick said.

“Obviously we haven’t been playing as well as we can, but a win would be a huge boost for the club and a good reward for the efforts of all.”

Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood

Easts produced their best performance of the season in a 36-8 thumping of Norths last week, while their Waratahs stars were away in Japan.

“Every win gives us confidence individually and as a group, but last week was special for us for a number of reasons,” coach Pauli Taumoepeau said.

Easts sit just outside the top six but could jump as high as third if they can repeat last week’s performance when they take on an in form Eastwood outfit this weekend.

After naming an unchanged side, Taumoepeau has added returning Tahs Ryan McCauley, Tom Staniforth, Mack Mason and Alex Newsome to his starting XV for Saturday’s clash at Woollahra.

“They know how to capitalise on errors from their opposition and they’ve done that in recent weeks, as all good teams do,” Taumoepeau added.

After helping the Australian Women’s Sevens side win another World Series, Eastwood coach John Manenti has returned to a side that has lost just one match since round three.

“I’m pleased enough with where we are at for this time of year but we still have plenty to work on and I think this week’s challenge is huge,” the multiple premiership winning coach said.

“They’re on a high at the moment and will be boosted by the return of their Tahs players.”

The Woodies are now equal second after last week’s big win over Gordon and look to be building nicely towards another run at the finals.

“We need to keep working hard on our basic skills and defence leading into the back half of the year.”

Warringah v Gordon

Warringah produced arguably their best performance of the year and fought back from 12-3 down to beat competition leaders Sydney Uni at Rat Park last week.

“I thought we defended really well and forced them to make errors. We then played the second half with plenty of patience and kept the ball in hand,” Warringah coach Darren Coleman said.

The Rats are now fifth and could move up or down two spots on a congested ladder after this weekend.

Coleman has named a new look side again to play Gordon this week, but is looking to make the most of an unideal situation.

“You’d like to know exactly what your best XV is by now and be working on combinations but unfortunately we don’t. Injury and form fluctuations have dictated that,” he said.

“I do believe competition brings out the best in the genuine competitors though. We’ve got 10 guys who have started first grade at some point this year out this week but that gives others the opportunity to stake their claim.”

Gordon coach Kolose Feaunati said his side missed too many opportunities last week against Eastwood but was confident his side can bounce back.

“Warringah are going to be tough at home but we’ve done quite a bit of homework on them. It all comes down to execution based on what we saw from their previous game against Sydney Uni.”

Feaunati has also made several changes for Saturday’s clash, but nominated flyhalf Sam Leeming as a player for Rats fans to keep an eye on.

“He’s been a standout for us. We’ve made a few changes and I’m looking forward to watching some of the new guys show us what they can do.”

Sydney University v Randwick

Sydney Uni dropped their second straight match after giving up a 12-3 lead to go down to Warringah 15-12 but coach Rob Taylor doesn’t seen overly disheartened.

“It was frustrating more than anything. We were close to winning at Pittwater against the current Premiers with our youngest team of the year,” he said.

“Warringah are the measuring stick in this year’s comp. We learnt that there is still quite some way to go before we get to where we need to be. Even with the close scoreline, I thought we were poor in some areas.”

The Students welcome back a host of Waratahs following their trip to Japan to play Randwick this weekend. Taylor has also named flyhalf Stu Dunbar to start his first match of the year in the top grade.

Randwick were left heartbroken after losing to Southern Districts after the full time siren at Coogee last week.

The Galloping Greens dominated for 60 minutes but were unable to close out the crucial match.

While they are still capable of making the finals, Owen Finegan’ side need to start beating sides ahead of them on the ladder, starting this weekend against the competition leaders.