The Tooheys New Cup finals race continues to heat up, with Manly scoring a 37-22 bonus point victory over third-placed Northern Suburbs in round nine at North Sydney Oval.

Fullback and skipper Peter Hewat was all class as the Marlins ran out to lead 25-3 shortly before half time.

Hewat finished with 17 points for the match, scoring a try and kicking three conversions and two penalty goals. He was ably assisted by winger Anthony Barrett, who bagged two tries, while Chris Siale and David Collis finished with one apiece.

The loss means for a second straight week Norths stay on 26 competition points, however the Shoremen will hold onto third place for at least the next 24 hours, pending the outcome of the match between Eastern Suburbs (22 points) and West Harbour.

Manly pressured Norths into mistakes early, Hewat opening the scoring with a penalty in the fifth minute after Chris Moore was penalised in the in-goal.

Hewat was in the thick of the action again soon after when, following a Collis long ball and quick hands from winger Stephen Scoles, the fullback stood up three defenders to score in the corner.

Trailing 8-nil the Shoremen got on the board in the 18th minute through a penalty to Chris Burnett, however they'd go further behind just 90 seconds later when the Marlins went over for their second try.

It was Hewat who started the movement, putting Siale into a gap with a sweetly timed pass. Siale got to within two metres of the line before being pulled down, flicking onto Barrett who went over untouched.

Hewat succeeded with the conversion attempt, and later added a second penalty goal, to make it 18-3 in favour of the visitors on the run into half time.

However the Marlins would come up with a third try before heading to the sheds and it was again Hewat and Siale combining to lay it on.

The skipper's cut out ball found a flying Siale out wide, with the slick number 12 sprinting 40 metres before stepping the last line of defence to score five metres in from touch.

Hewat again added the extras, handing the Marlins a 25-3 lead one minute out from the break.

Norths however would keep their hopes alive, with scrumhalf Jon McGrath bagging a converted try after the half time siren to see the Shoremen heading into the break down by 15.

Manly was dealt a blow early in the second half when Siale was mistakenly yellow carded on touch judges advice by referee George Ayoub for a shoulder charge.

Replays later showed that it was indeed hooker Josh Mann-Rae that was responsible for the offence.

Taking advantage of the one man overlap the Shoremen went in for their second try while Siale was off the field, Al Manning on the end of a sweeping backline movement to score in the corner.

Burnett's conversion attempt was successful, and suddenly Manly's lead was cut to eight points.

With Siale back on the field the Marlins re-established their lead, Barrett going over for his second try to ensure Manly a bonus point.

The knockout blow came eight minutes from time, Collis scoring Manly's fifth try to secure a vital victory with just two rounds remaining until the finals.

Norths finished the second half as they did the first, with Jason Peseta touching down two minutes after the siren, however it wasn't enough to stop the Marlins taking the win.

MANLY - 37

Tries: Anthony Barrett 2, Peter Hewat, Chris Siale, David Collis

Conversions: Peter Hewat 3

Penalty Goals: Peter Hewat 2

NORTHERN SUBURBS - 22

Tries: Jon McGrath, Al Manning, Jason Peseta

Conversions: Chris Burnett 2

Penalty Goals: Chris Burnett 1

At North Sydney Oval
Half Time: Manly 25-10

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Southern Districts is still alive in the race for the finals, scoring a come from behind 28-24 victory over Eastwood at Forshaw Rugby Park.

For the second week in a row the Woods gave up a half time lead, with Souths turning a ten point deficit into a four point win thanks to a pair of doubles to Jackson and Jye Mullane.

The loss means Eastwood is all but certain to miss the Tooheys New Cup finals for the first time in the competition's history.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS - 28

Tries: Jackson Mullane 2, Jye Mullane 2

Conversions: Andy Dellalana 4

EASTWOOD - 24

Tries: Simon Greally 2, Filipo Toala, Hugh Perrett

Conversions: Filipo Toala 2

At Forshaw Rugby Park
Half Time: Eastwood 24-14

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Warringah has held on to claim the narrowest of victories over Parramatta, the Rats winning 29-28 at Two Blues Park.

The Rats victory sees them move into fourth on the competition ladder, however they could fall outside the finals zone should Easts defeat West Harbour on Sunday.

WARRINGAH - 29

Tries: David Willan, Shane Laloata, Andrew Wiles

Conversions: Brett Sheehan 1

Penalty Goals: Brett Sheehan 4

PARRAMATTA - 28

Tries: Inoke Turuva, Steve Bortolussi, Nathan Satala

Conversions: Josh Weeks 1, Nathan Satala 1

Penalty Goals: Josh Weeks 3

At Two Blues Park
Half Time: Warringah 18-13

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Randwick has continued its run towards the minor premiership, crossing for ten tries on its way to a thumping 62 points to 14 defeat of Penrith at Nepean Rugby Park.

Fullback Tim Wright crossed for three tries for the Galloping Greens, with Stephen Hoiles and Paul Hannify finishing with two apiece.

Mark Sweeney finished with 17 points for the match through a try and six conversions, with the Greens remaining five pointers going to Metui Maile and Shawn Mackay.

For the Emus, converted tries to Henry Schaaf and Mosese Makasini were the only highlights on a difficult afternoon out.

RANDWICK - 62

Tries: Tim Wright 3, Stephen Hoiles 2, Paul Hannify 2, Metui Maile, Mark Sweeney, Shawn Mackay

Conversions: Mark Sweeney 6

PENRITH - 14

Tries: Henry Schaaf, Mosese Makasini

Conversions: Adrian Buxton 2

At Nepean Rugby Park
Half Time: Randwick 26-7

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PLAYING TOMORROW:

GORDON v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY at Chatswood Oval

WEST HARBOUR v EASTERN SUBURBS at Concord Oval

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PROVISIONAL TOOHEYS NEW CUP LADDER - ROUND 9
After Saturday Games

RANDWICK 39
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 30*
NORTHERN SUBURBS 26
WARRINGAH 26
Manly 25
Southern Districts 25
Eastwood 23
Eastern Suburbs 22*
Gordon 15*
West Harbour 15*
Parramatta 14
Penrith 7

*Playing Sunday