Warringah has charged into the Tooheys New Cup top four on the back of a 37-7 thumping of Southern Districts at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The win means the Rats stay clear of the three teams still in contention with one round - a likely do or die clash with top of the table Randwick - remaining.

For Southern Districts the race is over, the Rebels now a mathematical impossibility of making the top four.

Warringah gave itself the best possible momentum to take into the final round with its seven tries to one win, six of those coming in the second half after the Rebels led 7-5 at half time.

Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan was outstanding in attack and defence for the victors, setting up a try and scoring one of his own in the rout.

The Rats opened the scoring early on through Francis Cullimore, the centre's try coming as a direct result of a Craig Thomas charge down.

With a solid wind at their backs the Rebels wasted no time setting up camp in Warringah territory, only to lose the advantage by conceding penalties at the breakdown.

Schoolboy winger Andrew Barrett eventually provided the opener for Souths, hitting the ball at pace to score a converted try under the posts 20 minutes in.

The Rats enjoyed the better of the rest of the half but were unable to add to their tally, the sides going to the break with the score at 7-5 in favour of the visitors.

The opening kick of the second forty clearly signalled Warringah's intentions, flyhalf Michael Ruthven gaining 55 metres for his team on the back of an ever growing southerly.

Four minutes into the half the Rats had the try they were searching for, Brett Sheehan and Scott Fardy exploiting some poor short side defence to put AJ Gilbert over in the corner.

Sheehan's conversion attempt went wide however Warringah was in control at 10 points to 7.

Warringah's third try again came down the right hand touchline, flanker Craig Thomas on the end of a neat backline movement to touch down in the corner in the 12th minute of the half.

Sheehan had secured the Rats a bonus point by the midway point of the half, the scrumhalf burrowing over from the base of the ruck.

Clint Eadie made no mistake after being handed the kicking duties, making it 22-7 to the Rats.

Looking to attack from inside their own in goal the Rebels were all too easily pressured into mistakes, the Rats taking full advantage with Peter Owens going over for their fifth try after a dropped ball from Barrett.

Souths day got even worse five minutes from time when fullback Junior Puroku was red carded for kneeing, while replacement Guy Rasmussen soon joined him on the sidelines after being yellow carded for a professional foul.

The Rats finished full of running and scored two late tries through Hamish Bayliss and Eadie, charging into the top four on the back of their 30-point victory.

However there's no guarantee they'll stay there as waiting for the Rats in the final round are competition front runners Randwick, who were far too strong for West Harbour at Coogee Oval.

WARRINGAH - 37

Tries: Francis Cullimore, AJ Gilbert, Craig Thomas, Brett Sheehan, Peter Owens, Hamish Bayliss, Clint Eadie

Conversions: Clint Eadie 1

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS - 7

Tries: Andrew Barrett 1

Conversions: Andy Dellalana 1

At Pittwater Rugby Park
Half Time: Southern Districts 7-5

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David Lyons has made a successful return to action in Sydney University's 48-14 thumping of Penrith at University Oval, the big number eight playing 80 minutes in his first game in gold & blue since 2003.

The Students crossed for eight tries in total, with flanker David Haydon bagging two of his own, while points for the Emus came through five pointers to Nick Richardson and Adrian Buxton, with Buxton converting both.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY - 48

Tries: David Haydon 2, Nathan Trist, Nigel Staniforth, Joey Phillipe, Julian Huxley, Nick Haydon, Jeremy Tilse

Conversions: Julian Huxley 4

PENRITH - 14

Tries: Nick Richardson, Adrian Buxton

Conversions: Adrian Buxton 2

At University Oval no.1
Half Time: Sydney University 24-7

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Eastwood has downed Northern Suburbs to keep its narrow finals chances alive, the two time premiers scoring a 17-15 win over Northern Suburbs at TG Millner Field.

A lone conversion to Eastwood winger Filipo Toala proved the difference after each side scored three tries apiece, the Woods drawing level with the Shoremen on 27 competition points as a result of the victory.

EASTWOOD - 17

Tries: Josh Holmes, Richard Manion, Simon Greally

Conversions: Filipo Toala 1

NORTHERN SUBURBS - 15

Tries: Al McDonald, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Todd Sly

At TG Millner Field
Half Time: Eastwood 7-5

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Manly's late season resurgence has continued, the Marlins toppling Gordon 28 points to 19 at Manly Oval to move into fifth on the ladder.

Tries to Corey Dennis, Chris Cottee, Anthony Barrett and the ever present Peter Hewat ensured the Marlins a bonus point, leaving them just one point behind Eastern Suburbs (3rd) & Warringah (4th) with one round left to play.

MANLY - 28

Tries: Corey Dennis, Chris Cottee, Anthony Barrett, Peter Hewat

Conversions: Peter Hewat 4

GORDON - 19

Tries: David Harvey 2, Ofa Fainga'anuku

Conversions: David Harvey 1, Mark Preston 1

At Manly Oval
Half Time: Manly 14-5

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An awesome first forty minutes has led Eastern Suburbs to victory over Parramatta at Two Blues Park, the Beasts taking a 33-nil lead into half time before eventually recording a 40-21 victory.

The victory all but assures Easts a spot in the finals, with the Beasts last match against the bottom-placed Penrith at Woollahra Oval next Saturday.

EASTERN SUBURBS - 40

Tries: Lloyd Jones 2, Gavin Debartolo, Henari Veratau, Tim Usasz, Matt McGann

Conversions: Gavin Debartolo 5

PARRAMATTA - 21

Tries: Inoke Turuva, Pelea Afu, Mohd Roache

Conversions: Josh Weeks 3

At Two Blues Park
Half Time: Eastern Suburbs 33-0

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Randwick has continued its charge toward the minor premiership, demolishing West Harbour by 68 points to 9 at Coogee Oval.

Doubles to Morgan Turinui and Tim Wright were the standouts on an afternoon of highlights for the competition leaders, who ran in a total of ten tries in the win.

The match also saw Adam Freier make a successful comeback from injury, the Waratah hooker crossing for a try in his first match since the second test against England back in June.

All of the Pirates points came off the boot of fullback Nick Reily.

RANDWICK - 68

Tries: Morgan Turinui 2, Tim Wright 2, Stephen Hoiles, Sam Ratabua, Shawn Mackay, Danny Grant, Adam Freier, Mark Sweeney

Conversions: Mark Sweeney 6

Penalty Goals: Mark Sweeney 2

WEST HARBOUR - 9

Penalty Goals: Nick Reily 3

At Coogee Oval
Half Time: Randwick 28-9

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TOOHEYS NEW CUP LADDER - AFTER 10 ROUNDS

RANDWICK 44
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 40
EASTERN SUBURBS 31
WARRINGAH 31
Manly 30
Northern Suburbs 27
Eastwood 27
Southern Districts 25
West Harbour 16
Gordon 15
Parramatta 14
Penrith 7

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NEXT WEEK - FINAL ROUND DRAW

Friday Night - 7.40pm
Northern Suburbs v Gordon at North Sydney Oval

Saturday - 3.00pm
Warringah v Randwick at Pittwater Rugby Park (ABC TV Game)
Manly v Parramatta at Manly Oval
Sydney University v Southern Districts at University Oval No.1
Eastwood v West Harbour at TG Millner Field
Eastern Suburbs v Penrith at Woollahra Oval