Missing out on the A grade top four due to sudden death defeat was a tough one for the team to take, though they now lead the way in the new A reserve grade competition.

SASC had one of the games of the season in the opening week of the new reserve grade competition when they held out Mana in a thriller, 41-40.

The snowy weather last weekend denied teams court time but now the SASC squad return with renewed ambition to develop an unbeaten run to the end of the season.

Coach Justin Adams said there's a lot of determination in the ranks despite missing out on the chance to play top grade finals.

"The girls are quite motivated to stay at the top of A reserve 1. They know it's going to be tough, and they haven't had the chance to play some of these teams yet due to the weather and forfeits," he said.

"They're very keen to get out there and do their best."

Scots All Saints College are one of just many teams who have suffered an interrupted season.

Thanks to school holidays, forfeits and last week's lost round the team have played just four times since June.

SASC will be playing a team they have met before this season - CSU Hawkes - although that meeting came back in mid-May.

On that occassion the SASC girls had CSU's measure in a 48-32 victory.

There's bound to be plenty of drive in the SASC team after their one point win.

Adams said the team kept a level head when the going got tough in the game with Mana, and it bodes well for the players' development.

"It was a really close game that went goal for goal and it was a really great game to watch," he said.

"We were very surprised with the girls. We were put under a lot of pressure in that game and were able to handle it.

"We haven't been in a position like that all season where the game's been so close the whole way through.

"Their skills were great and their passing game was fantastic.

SASC and CSU play from 2.30pm.

Meanwhile in other A reserve grade matches Mana play Panthers Toshacks at 1.15pm and Panthers Mustangs play Bulldogs Hurricanes at 3.45pm.

Up in the A grade battle Collegians Mystified will be favourites to keep their unbeaten run going when they play Panthers Agriwest (1.15pm).

Panthers A grade can maintain the narrow gap behind Collegians if they can find their way past Bulldogs Verdelho.

Just three rounds remain in both the top and second tier competitions and the battle for the top positions are set to heat up over the closing month.