With a month left in the regular season, every result is crucial as eight sides battle for six available playoff spots.

While Sydney Uni will move clear at the top of the ladder after their bye this week, just two wins now separates Norths in second and Souths in eighth.

Randwick v Warringah 

Randwick missed another opportunity to close out a tight game when they leaked a late try in a 36-36 draw against Manly on Saturday.

“Our set piece continues to improve and we were a lot more consistent across the game but it was still disappointing because it is another game we should have won,” coach Owen Finegan told Rugby News.

While 2018 hasn’t quite gone to plan for the former Wallaby and his new side, Finegan said Randwick still had plenty to play for this season, starting on Saturday against Warringah.

“The player’s attitude is still very positive and the vibe in the group is good. We haven’t got a nothing to lose attitude but I know our upcoming opposition will all be wary of Randwick because they are all still jostling for finals positions.”

“Warringah are a very physical and confrontational side that do a lot of basic things well with attacking threats across the park.”

Warringah extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a comfortable bonus point win over Gordon last week and while the defending premiers are now fourth, coach Darren Coleman said it was important that his side doesn’t take their foot off the pedal this weekend.

“Randwick are very dangerous and we’re certainly wary of this match. They’ve been improving in performance and results each week and will be looking forward to causing an upset at home,” Coleman said.

Rats lock Jack Tomkins will make his long awaited return from a cheekbone fracture, while former NSW U20s outside back Esera Chee-Kam and prop Nick Fraser will also start on Saturday.

“Nick was a mid season arrival from Gordon via Scotland. He’s worked his way up the grades and it’ll be interesting to see the effect he has on our scrum performance.”

Northern Suburbs v Southern Districts

After a bye last weekend, Northern Suburbs are back in second spot but their road to the playoffs is far from easy.

The Shoreman are currently eight competition points ahead of their round 15 opponents, Southern Districts, but finish the regular season with four tough clashes against the Rebels, West Harbour, Easts and Randwick.

A loss this weekend may ensure Norths need to win their final three matches to guarantee their spot in the finals.

Southern Districts produced one of their performances of the season to beat Easts at Woollahra Oval last weekend, despite letting the Beasties back into the match in the closing stages.

“We started quite well and built scoreboard pressure early on the back of good ball control, which is something we haven’t done enough this year.”

Flyhalf Rohan Saifoloi was impressive in his first match of the season and provided the Rebels with a timely boost. Halfback Dewet Roos, centre Apo Latunipulu and fullback Jamie Verran also may get time in the top grade this week after missing the majority of the season through injury.

“Those guys coming back into the training environment does give the squad confidence and it’s exciting to know our best footy is still probably ahead of us.”

The Rebels are eighth and play Norths, Uni and Warringah in the final month of the regular season, adding extra importance to Saturday’s clash against the Shoreman.

“Norths have a good set piece, strong midfield and a very quick back three, so we will need to contain them and limit their opportunities.”

Eastwood v Gordon

Eastwood missed an ideal opportunity to secure their spot in the top three last week following a 33-26 loss to West Harbour.

“It was disappointing, mainly because we slipped back into a few bad habits. In such a tight competition, you can’t afford to do that,” assistant coach Ben Batger told Rugby News.

The Woodies are now fifth and will be eager to take maximum points from this weekend’s clash against Gordon, as the race to the finals tightens.

“Naturally your glimpse at the ladder and the fixtures coming up but the reality is we just need to keep winning and improving and if we do that, the ladder should look after itself,” Batger said.

“This week we want to put in a clinical performance and fix the areas we let ourselves down in against Wests. It’s Back to Eastwood Day and our final home game as well so we want to put in a big performance for our fans too.”

After three strong performances, Gordon were disappointing in a big loss to Warringah last week but still appear to be a much better side than they were earlier this season.

“Injuries at the moment is the difference, we had quite a few players out last week against Warringah. But we were competitive against the top teams for a few weeks straight before that, so last week was quite disappointing.”

While Gordon won’t be playing finals footy this year, they can still have a big impact on the competition in the coming weeks, starting at TG Millner on Saturday.

“Eastwood are always strong at home and we’re not expecting anything but the best from them.

“Patrick Sio is a dangerous ball runner as is Pama Fou but we’ll just be concentrating on what we need to do to cause an upset.”

Parramatta v Eastern Suburbs

Parramatta produced their best performance of the season, according to coach Paul Hardwick, and gave Sydney Uni a scare at Lidcombe Oval last weekend.

While they couldn’t match the competition leaders over 80 minutes, Hardwick said the side took plenty of confidence out of the performance.

“A couple of poor decisions really cost us last week,” he said.

“Our defence and decision making under fatigue has been a big focus of late and hopefully we can continue to improve in those areas against Easts. If we can produce a similar performance to last week in the final rounds, I think we’ll win more than we lose.”

Easts were disappointing in a six point loss to Southern Districts last weekend and dropped out of the top six heading into the final month of the regular season.

“We were disappointed with how we played last week,” Beasties coach Pauli Taumoepeau said.

“Souths played well though and capitalised on our errors. That starts to drain your confidence because you’re not getting that momentum.”

While Easts’ scrum struggled again on Saturday, the Beasties welcome back gun hooker Connal McIneray from the Brumbies ahead of this weekend’s “must win” clash against the Two Blues.

“It’s great to have him back. He adds a lot to our set piece and that is what’s needed right now.

“Whilst Connal’s been away though we’ve also been able to fast track and develop others who are now ready to play at this level, namely Dylan Woods who has been absolutely outstanding for us.”

“We definitely need to win this weekend. It looks like we’re now locked in a race with Wests and Souths for sixth spot and with both those sides finding form, we have no choice but to find results ourselves.”

Manly v West Harbour

In his final match for the club this season, Denis Pili Gaitau scored a late try to help Manly salvage an important draw against Randwick last weekend.

However Marlins coach Billy Melrose was far from pleased and had plenty to say after the clash.

“Randwick really turned up to play and we looked a bit like we were waiting for our mate to get it done.

“I thought most that most people at Manly were liberal voters but it seems most of my forwards are unionists. Unbeknown to me they organised a “ball carrying strike” last week and it really made things hard.

Ahead of matches against Gordon and Parramatta in the coming weeks, the third placed Marlins can give their chances of hosting a finals match on the opening weekend of the playoffs a massive boost if they can beat West Harbour this weekend.

However that may be easier said than done.

“West Harbour are a good side and will certainly carry with plenty of intent,” Melrose added.

The Pirates claimed their second big win in as many weeks, defeating Eastwood last weekend at Concord Oval.

Flanker Kelly Meafua proved once again why he is quickly becoming one of, if not the most dangerous player in the competition with another standout performance.

His battle with hardworking Manly backrower Sam Shires will be one to keep an eye on.