Sydney University has ground out a 20-15 victory over the Manly Marlins in round eight of the Tooheys New Cup, with the Students forced to withstand a late onslaught before claiming victory.
The second-placed Students came into the match a hot favourite to beat the Marlins, who fell from first to fourth on the competition ladder after suffering a big loss at the hands of Eastwood in their last outing two weeks ago.
And it was Uni who scored first through representative flyhalf Daniel Halangahu, the try coming about after an unfortunate chain of events against the home side.
Attempting to clear a Uni kick into the corner, Manly fullback Peter Hewat only succeeded in finding the waiting hands of opposition centre Luke Inman who went very close to scoring.
Three phases and a pair of turnovers later, Halangahu ghosted through a gap in the Manly defence to touch down under the posts.
Scott Stumbles converted the easiest of chances to hand Uni a 7-nil lead.
Hewat opened his side's account on 14 minutes with a penalty goal, only to see it nullified two minutes later when Stumbles added one of his own.
Manly evened it up ten minutes later when flyhalf Dave Collis beat the tackle of both Halangahu and flanker Dave Haydon to score under the posts.
Hewat's conversion locked the scores up at 10-all.
Another Stumbles penalty five minutes before the break gave Uni the lead heading into half time, with the scoreline reading 13-10 in favour of the Students.
Manly hit the front for the first time in the match five minutes into the second half, with centre Luke Johnson charging onto a Hewat short ball to score out wide.
While Hewat's conversion attempt sailed wide, the Marlins were on the front foot at 15-13.
With Manly's confidence on the rise, Uni was stifled on a number of occasions while in good attacking position.
The defence finally cracked with a little over ten minutes play remaining, with Uni captain Tim Davidson charging over for his sixth try of the season to put his team back in front at 20-15.
Manly picked up the pace in a final effort to seal the win and went desperately close to levelling with three minutes on the clock, only to see Collis spill the ball with the line open.
In the finish Uni held on for a hard fought victory, the 20-15 win seeing them hold onto second spot on the Tooheys New Cup ladder.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 20 - Daniel Halangahu, Tim Davidson tries; Scott Stumbles 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals.
MANLY 15 - Dave Collis, Luke Johnson tries; Peter Hewat conversion, penalty goal.
At Manly Oval
Half Time: Sydney Uni 13-10.
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Canberra has been unceremoniously dumped out of top spot, crashing back to earth with a 45-8 loss at the hands of Southern Districts.
Souths came out fired up following last week's draw against Northern Suburbs and had the match sewn up at 33-8 at half time, with Brad O'Young and Michael Black both finishing with doubles in the win.
Canberra now faces the unenviable task of heading back to Sydney next weekend to face Sydney University, however they're expected to be boosted by Wallabies Clyde Rathbone, Nic Henderson and Matt Henjak.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 45 - Brad O'Young 2, Michael Black 2, Luke Milton, James McCormack, Norm Berryman tries; Darren Kapene 5 conversions.
CANBERRA 8 - Dan Guinness try; Daniel Callaghan penalty goal.
At Forshaw Rugby Park
Half Time: Souths 33-8
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Eastwood has jumped from third to first on the Tooheys New Cup ladder courtesy of a 71-21 hiding of Penrith at TG Millner Field.
The Woodies crossed for 10 tries in the victory, while Tim Donnelly was again outstanding with the boot, finishing with 9 conversions and a penalty goal.
The bonus point sees them edge one point clear of Sydney University in the race for the minor premiership.
EASTWOOD 71 - Will Brame 2, Chris O'Young 2, Justin Wheatley 2, Filipo Toala 2, Al McDonald, Tim Donnelly tries; Donnelly 9 conversions, penalty goal.
PENRITH 21 - Hemi Taukiri, Henry Schaff, Andrew Frew tries; Iain Cowan 3 conversions.
At TG Millner Field
Half Time: Eastwood 36-7
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Northern Suburbs has scored its first win of the season, proving last week's effort against Southern Districts was no fluke with a 37-24 defeat of Randwick at Coogee Oval.
Norths outscored their more favoured opponents five tries to four to move onto 12 competition points for the season, seeing them leapfrog Penrith into 11th on the Tooheys New Cup ladder.
NORTHERN SUBURBS 37 - Cameron Shepherd 3, Mussi Schuster, Nicky Jones tries; Shepherd conversion, penalty goal; Chris Yates 2 conversions, penalty goal.
RANDWICK 24 - Tim Wright 3, Shawn McKay tries; Mark Sweeney conversion; David Dillon conversion.
At Coogee Oval
Half Time: Norths 25-5
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Eastern Suburbs captain Tamaiti Horua has crossed for four tries in his side's 31-14 defeat of Gordon at Woollahra Oval.
A try to Adam Wallace-Harrison and three conversions to Will Campbell were the only other additions to the Easts scoresheet as the Beasties ran out comfortable winners.
EASTERN SUBURBS 31 - Tamaiti Horua 4, Adam Wallace-Harrison tries; Will Campbell 3 conversions.
GORDON 14 - Dave Harvey, John Natadra tries; Harvey 2 conversions.
At Woollahra Oval
Half Time: Easts 26-0
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West Harbour is back in the winners circle following its 34-24 defeat of Parramatta at Two Blues Park.
The win brings to an end a five match losing streak, stretching back to round two of this years Tooheys New Cup.
WEST HARBOUR 34 - Vuli Tailasa 2, Kieran Massey, Elia Tuqiri, Villiami Fililava tries; Massey 3 conversions, penalty goal.
PARRAMATTA 24 - Steven Bortolussi, Ben Stuart, Roland Herea, Naibuka Tuiloa tries; Arthur Little 2 conversions.
At Two Blues Park
Half Time: Wests 15-5
LEADING TRYSCORERS
David Alo (Manly) 7
Nigel Staniforth (Sydney Uni) 7
Vuli Tailasa (West Harbour) 7
Tim Davidson (Sydney Uni) 6
Viliami Fililava (West Harbour) 6
Al McDonald (Eastwood) 6
Eddie McLaughlin (Canberra) 6
Chris O'Young (Eastwood) 6
Rex Tapuai (Easts) 6
LEADING POINTSCORERS
Tim Donnelly (Eastwood) 104
Peter Hewat (Manly) 83
Scott Stumbles (Sydney Uni) 79
Will Campbell (Easts) 61
Kieran Massey (West Harbour) 58
Darren Kapene (Sthn. Districts) 48
Shaun Berne (Randwick) 40
Josh Keil (Warringah) 40
David Alo (Manly) 35
Cameron Shepherd (Norths) 35
Nigel Staniforth (Sydney Uni) 35
Vuli Tailasa (West Harbour) 35