The Shute Shield competition somehow finds a way to get tighter, year after year, and some of the results over the weekend are proof of that.

Sydney Uni and Norths have now come back to the pack, while Easts and Souths are now well and truly within striking range after important round 10 wins.

Eastwood 71-17 Gordon

Eastwood secured their spot in the top six with a comfortable bonus point win over Gordon at Chatswood Oval.

The Woodies ran in 11 tries including a hat trick to hooker Ed Craig, while winger Zac McKay finished the afternoon with 21 points to his name.

Gordon rallied and crossed for three tries, but it was little but consolation on another tough afternoon for the Highlanders.

Eastwood are now just one win behind competition leaders Sydney Uni and have lost just one match since round three.

They travel to Woollahra to take on an in form Easts side next week, while Gordon head to Rat Park to play Warringah.

Southern Districts 23-22 Randwick

New Southern Districts fullback Christian Kagiassis kicked a long range penalty goal after the full time siren to secure a crucial victory for the Rebels at Coogee.

Randwick led for the majority of the afternoon thanks to five penalty goals from flyhalf Harry Tyson and looked to be in control up 19-8 midway through the second half.

But the Rebels lifted in the closing period and crossed through Marcus Carbone then Liam Dwyer to reduce the deficit to just two points, before Kagiassis kicked the winning penalty.

The loss was tough to take for a luckless Randwick side who can’t seem to take a trick in 2018. They face Sydney Uni next week.

Souths have now won four of their last five matches and could find themselves up in the top six if they can beat Parramatta next week ahead of a bye in round 12.

Manly 64-15 Parramatta

Manly scored 10 tries to beat Parramatta and claim their fourth straight win on Saturday.

The Marlins led 7-5 when Two Blues centre Jaline Graham received a red card for a dangerous tackle and dominated proceedings from that point on.

No.9 Tim Donlan and winger Mick Adams both scored doubles in the comfortable 49-point victory.

Manly now sit equal second, alongside Norths and Eastwood on 36 competition points and are just one win behind competition leaders Sydney Uni.

It seems the race for the minor premiership is well and truly on.

Eastern Suburbs 36-8 Northern Suburbs

Easts sent a warning to the remainder of the competition with a comprehensive 36-8 victory over Norths.

In the first of a string of tough matches, a fresh Beasties outfit were brilliant and ran in six tries to silence the crowd at North Sydney Oval.

Norths were uncharacteristically poor, particularly in defence and had few answers for the impressive Easts backline, who scored five of the side’s six tries.

After remaining undefeated in the opening eight rounds, the Shoreman have now lost two straight matches and have a bye this weekend to regroup.

Easts take on Eastwood at home for a spot in the top six.

Warringah 15-12 Sydney Uni

Warringah reminded their rivals that they are the defending premiers for a reason with an impressive 15-12 victory over Sydney Uni.

The Students dominated early and led 12-3 after two quick tries to Eddy King and Daniel Poletto.

But after a fiery first half, Warringah slowly gained ascendency and scored through Sam Thomson, then Seb Wileman to poke their noses in front.

The Students were forced to play the final minutes with 14 men and couldn’t find a way through a stubborn Warringah defensive line, as the Rats held on for an important three point win.

Warringah are now fifth, but sit just seven competition points behind Uni in first. The Students host Randwick next week while Warringah play Gordon.