As the race for a semi finals place hots up, the outcome of a number of Round 16 matches will have an important bearing.

The West Sydney Blues host the CSU Bathurst Mungoes at the Kingsway St Marys in 1st Division and a win to the Blues will see it share top place on the ladder with the Norwest/Nirimba Polecats who have a bye this week. The Mungoes have lost two in a row to the Polecats in as many weeks and they too need to get back on the winners list or they will struggle to stay in the top 5. Also at The Kingsway, the RailCorp Apprentices clash with the Mungoes in 2nd Division and the RailCorp boys need a win against one of the comp's front runners if they are to stay in finals contention.

An early start for the UTS Tigers and Sydney Uni games at Leichhardt Oval and with both teams neck and neck with each other on the ladder in both grades it promises to be a very interesting day at Leichhardt.

Another crucial match is being played at Marrickville Oval where in 1st Division Lewisham Old Boys/ACU are at home to the Cumberland College Beavers. The two only came together a fortnight ago with the Old Boys victorious and they need a repeat if they are to challenge for a place in the top 5. Plenty of interest too in the 2nd Division match beforehand where the Beavers meet Canberra Uni Cows in a top of the table clash.

Finally the Norwest/Nirimba Polecats 2nd Division team trek south for their match against the ANU Grizzlies at North Oval. Both teams still have a chance of making the final 5, especially the home side who have a couple of matches up their sleeve.

In addition to the Polecats, Canberra Uni Cows also have a bye this week in 1st Division, along with the Newcastle Uni Sea Horses in 2nd Division.