Souths and Eastwood both caused big upsets in round 9, which has further condensed the Shute Shield ladder heading into the mid season break.

Catch up on all the action from the weekend.

Southern Districts 23-10 Northern Suburbs

Southern Districts produced a determined performance to hand Norths their first loss of the 2018 season at Forshaw on Saturday.

The Rebels failed to make the most of a strong breeze in the first half and trailed at the break 10-8, before scoring two unanswered tries through Luke Smart and Marcus Carbone in the second half to set up a much needed 23-10 victory.

While Norths were far from their best, the Southern Districts forwards outmuscled the Shoreman in the later stages of the match and showed grit that hasn’t been seen at Forshaw since last season.

The Rebels now sit just one win outside of the top six and are expected to welcome back Dewet Roos, Rohan Saifoloi, Apo Latunipulu and Jamie Verran from injury in the coming rounds.

Norths remain in second spot, three competition points behind Sydney Uni.

Warringah 24-11 West Harbour

Warringah consolidated their spot in the top six with a gritty 24-11 win over West Harbour at Concord Oval.

Rats flyhalf Miles Dorrian crossed in the first half to give the visitors a 10-3 lead, then added four penalty goals to take his personal tally to 19 points for the afternoon.

Replacement prop Mahe Vailanu then barged over to seal the result before West Harbour scored a consolation try through Jethro Felemi.

The result sees Warringah leapfrog West Harbour into fifth spot. The Pirates have a bye after next week’s long weekend and face a 21-day spell before their next clash against Manly.

Warringah take on Sydney Uni after the break.

Manly 45-17 Gordon

Manly have jumped in to the top three for the first time this year following a bonus point win over Gordon on Ladies Day at Manly Oval.

Boosted by the inclusions of former Brumbies centre Robbie Coleman and Bath lock Alex Humfrey on the bench, the Marlins fired early and claimed a four try bonus point before heading to the break up 31-5.

Gordon seemed to take note of some of the technique used in the Ladies Day half time tackling competition and tightened things up in the second half.

They scored the next two tries to reduce the deficit to 14, but couldn’t match the Marlins in the final 20 minutes and conceded another two five pointers.

Randwick 35-7 Parramatta

Randwick have returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since round three after beating Parramatta 35-7 at Lidcombe Oval.

The Galloping Greens opened the scoring through No.8 Jack Hayson before winger Seamus Frost crossed for three tries to give the visitors a commanding lead.

A fifth try to centre Ben Starkey and a perfect afternoon with the boot from Dave Horwitz then put the result beyond doubt.

Randwick remain in ninth spot, 13 points outside of the top six and meet Southern Districts in a crucial clash for both sides after the mid season break.

Parramatta take on Manly in round 10.

Eastwood 32-29 Sydney University

Eastwood caused the other big upset of the weekend, beating Sydney Uni 32-29 in front of a big crowd at TG Millner.

In a seesawing battle, Eastwood winger Fabian Goodall resembled Taqlele Naiyaravoro in the first half and scored twice, but Uni were able to respond on the back of a dominant scrum.

Both sides scored tries against the run of play in the second half, before flyhalf Jackson Bird split the Sydney Uni defence and scored under the sticks to give the Woodies a 32-22 lead.

Dave McDuling crossed for the Students in the closing stages to secure a losing bonus point for the visitors, but it was Eastwood’s afternoon.

Sydney Uni’s 11th bonus point of the year ensured they remained in top spot heading into the mid year break, while Eastwood are now fourth, level with Manly and eight competition points behind Uni.