Sydney Uni 36-29 Eastern Suburbs

Sydney Uni have reclaimed top spot on the Shute Shield ladder after beating Easts 36-29 on Friday night.

The Students opened the scoring early but allowed Easts into the match after Lachlan Swinton received a yellow card.

The Uni forwards began to dominate at set piece time and earned a penalty try on the stroke of half time to lead 14-10 at the break.

Will Patterson scored for Easts early in the second half to give his side the lead for the first time in the match, but the Students responded quickly through Theo Strang, then raced away to a 31-15 lead after tries to wingers Henry Clunies Ross and James Kane.

Searching for their fourth straight win, Easts hit back through Tim Buchanan but a second try to Uni winger James Kane put the result beyond doubt.

Easts remain in the top six despite the 36-29 loss, but now have West Harbour breathing down their neck in seventh spot.

Eastwood 53-36 Parramatta

Eastwood secured their spot in the top six with a bonus point win over Parramatta, despite falling asleep late in the match.

The Woodies started quickly and led 19-0 after tries to Liam Windon, Pama Fou and Ed Craig but the Two Blues refused to lie down and hit back via Hayden Cole and Andrew Vatuvai.

Fabian Goodall crossed to give Eastwood a 29-12 lead at the break and scored his second try of the afternoon early in the second half which sparked a 19 point unanswered run.

With the bonus point secured, Eastwood took their foot off the gas late in the match and Parramatta took advantage, scoring three late tries to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Eastwood have now won four of their last five matches but face a tough test against West Harbour next weekend.

Northern Suburbs 46-25 Gordon

Two tries each to Nick Duffy and Irae Simone helped Norths end a three match losing streak and beat a spirited and far improved Gordon outfit 46-25.

The Highlanders were thumped by their arch rivals back in round 8 but looked like a different side in the return bout and led 13-10 early in the match following a try and two penalty goals to flyhalf Sam Leeming.

Norths flanker Taylor Francis scored late in the half to give his side a four point lead at the break before the Shoreman took control in the second half.

Simone and Duffy both claimed their doubles as the Norths attack started to click. The Shoreman scored 24 unanswered points to secure the bonus point win before Gordon rallied late and crossed for two consolation tries.

The timely win sees Norths jump back into the top three heading into next week’s bye. Gordon will look to avenge a last minute loss to Warringah when they host the Rats at Chatwood.

West Harbour 34-27 Southern Districts

West Harbour also ended a three match losing streak to get their season back on track, beating Southern Districts 34-27 at Forshaw.

The Pirates opened the scoring through centre Ben Cotton, then extended their lead after new flyhalf James Faiva added two penalty goals.

Souths hit back with tries to Christian Kagiassis and Marcus Carbone before Justin Marsters scored to give the visitors a 20-15 lead at the break.

With the match in the balance, Wests took control and scored back to back tries to take a 34-22 lead midway through the second half.

Souths crossed late and picked up two bonus points for their effort, but drop to eighth spot following the loss.

Wests are now seventh and are well and truly back in finals contention.

Photo: JB Photography