Rats grind out a tough win at home, West Harbour stun the Two Blues early and Manly claim consecutive w’s for the first time this year.

Catch up on all the round eight action from the weekend.

Warringah 29-8 Eastern Suburbs

Warringah’s dominant forward pack bullied Eastern Suburbs in the final 15 minutes to help the Rats claim an important bonus point win at home and break a two match losing streak.

Warringah led 15-8 midway through the second half in a match that could have gone either way, but Easts had few answers for the Rats big men in the closing stages, particularly at scrum time, which set the platform for both the Holmes brothers to score and seal the result.

After dropping just one match in the opening five rounds, Easts have now fallen away in the final 15 minutes in three straight losses.

The Beasties will have plenty of time to regroup in the coming weeks though with a bye in round 9 and the June long weekend set to give Easts almost a three week break before they face Norths in mid June.

Warringah jump back into the top six following Saturday’s bonus point win and travel to Concord to face an in form West Harbour side next week.

Northern Suburbs 97-14 Gordon

Norths demolished Gordon on a difficult day at Chatswood Oval for the home side.

The Highlanders matched last year’s grand finalists in the opening period and the scores remained level at 14-14 midway through the first half.

But it was one way traffic from that point on, as the Shoreman ran in 13 unanswered tries. Winger Angelo Leaupepe scored four tries, while Lochie Creagh, Harry Burey and Connor Vest all bagged doubles.

It’s been a tough start to 2018 for Gordon on and off the field and it doesn’t get any easier next week when they travel to Manly to take on the Marlins.

Norths are second and head south to take on the Rebels in round nine.

West Harbour 31-21 Parramatta

West Harbour secured their spot in the top three following an explosive first half performance against Parramatta.

The Pirates scored three unanswered tries and led by 24 before Parramatta troubled the scorekeeper and while the Two Blues showed plenty of heart and scored three second half tries to add some respectability to the scoreline, the result was never in doubt.

The win sees West Harbour extend their unbeaten run to five matches, which sets up an intriguing battle at Concord next week against Warringah.

If Todd Louden’s team are the real deal this year, we’ll know about it by Saturday evening.

Parramatta continue to show glimpses of their best, but the Two Blues inability to play consistent 80 minute rugby is crippling their chances. They host Randwick at Lidcombe next week.

Sydney University 40-12 Southern Districts

A dominant display by an impressive Sydney Uni forward pack helped the Students claim a comfortable 40-12 win over an understrength Southern Districts side.

The Rebels trailed 14-0 early but scored the next two tries to give their travelling fans hope.

But Uni showed their class right across the park and scored four unanswered tries to claim their seventh bonus point win of the season.

The Students set piece and defence was particularly impressive while their young backline is growing in confidence each week.

With several Waratahs still likely to return later this season, it’s going to be tough to take points home from a trip to Camperdown in 2018.

Manly 23-10 Randwick 

Manly claimed back to back wins for the first time this season and secured their spot in the top six with a 23-10 victory over Randwick at Coogee Oval.

The two sides traded blows in the first half and Manly went to the break up just 10-7 but the visitors dominated the second period.

New Marlins fullback Mick Adams scored to put Manly further ahead before superboot Nick Holton added a penalty goal to seal the result and take his personal tally to 13 points for the afternoon.

Randwick can’t seem to take a trick in 2018 and will be desperate to add another win before the mid season break when they travel to play Parramatta next week.

Manly look threatening and host Gordon at home on Ladies Day on Saturday.

Photo: AJF Photography