Randwick have proven they are far from a spent force in this year's Tooheys New Cup with a comeback 22-17 victory over Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Wicks scored first but soon trailed 12-5, with the deficit carrying over until after half time.
The scoring honours were shared with both teams crossing for three tries apiece, the kicking of Mark Sweeney proving the difference in the finish.
Just a point separated the two on the competition ladder heading into the match, with Warringah one place out of the five on 17 points and Randwick one spot back on 16.
The defending premiers opened their account through winger Metui Maile, with his try coming down the short side despite it coming off a questionable pass.
Dominating the opening passages, Randwick spent 86 percent of the opening fifteen minutes in Warringah territory.
However they were unable to take full advantage of that pressure, with Warringah levelling on 20 minutes through flanker John Carberry.
Carberry's try was converted by Josh Keil to hand the Rats a 7-5 lead.
Five minutes later the Rats were in again, with centre Ben Jacobs laying the platform for his side's second try, breaking the line from forty metres out.
From the next phase the ball was spread wide, finding Waratah flanker Wycliff Palu who touched down just in from the left hand touchline.
At 12-5 the Rats had their tails in the air, however their graft over the second 20 minutes of the half went unrewarded with the scores remaining unchanged at the break.
Running with the breeze in the second half, Randwick knew posting first points would be critical and that they did, with Jonnie Hoy crossing for a converted try to put the match back on a level footing.
Despite numerous opportunities to both sides, it would be more than 20 minutes before the deadlock was broken with Mark Sweeney potting a penalty goal for Randwick from adjacent to the posts.
But at 15-12 the match was far from finished, with Randwick again the next to score, Tim Le Nevez crossing for a converted try to put the Galloping Greens out to a ten point lead with just over ten minutes remaining.
With the win in the bag as the clock ticked down, Randwick conceded one final try to Rats centre Clint Eadie.
Eadie's unconverted five pointer enough to secure the Rats a bonus point out of a disappointing day at the office, the Greens getting up 22 points to 17.
The win sees Randwick leapfrog the Rats on the Tooheys New Cup ladder, with the defending champs lurking dangerously just outside the top five with a bye in hand.
RANDWICK 22 - Metui Maile, Jonnie Hoy, Tim Le Nevez tries; Mark Sweeney 2 conversions, penalty goal.
WARRINGAH 17 - John Carberry, Wycliff Palu, Clint Eadie tries; Josh Keil 1 conversion.
At Pittwater Rugby Park
Half Time: Warringah 12-5
Canberra has retained top spot on the Tooheys New Cup ladder thanks to a bonus point, 31 points to 6 victory over Parramatta at Viking Park.
The Vikings ran in five tries to nil with centre Alexander Peden crossing twice in the win.
It may have come at a cost however, with skipper David Palavi and flanker Ben White both suffering leg injuries in the victory.
CANBERRA 31 - Alexander Peden 2, Eddie McLaughlin, Jon McGrath, James Stonham tries; Daniel Callaghan 3 conversions.
PARRAMATTA 6 - Josh Weeks 2 penalty goals.
At Viking Park
Half Time: Canberra 10-6
Northern Suburbs has been denied its first victory of the 2005 Tooheys New Cup season, leading Southern Districts 19-10 at half time before finishing level on 27-apiece at the end of 80 minutes.
Both teams bagged bonus points for scoring four tries in the draw.
NORTHERN SUBURBS 27 - Will Hunt 2, Nicky Jones, Cameron Shepherd tries; Shepherd 2 conversions, penalty goal.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 27 - Terry Autavavaia 2, James McCormack, Darren Kapene tries; Kapene2 conversions, penalty goal.
At North Sydney Oval
Half Time: Northern Suburbs 19-10
Eastern Suburbs retains its place in the Tooheys New Cup top five following a 43-27 defeat of Penrith at Nepean Rugby Park.
The Bests led 24-7 at half time, with half Luke Burgess again impressing with two tries.
EASTERN SUBURBS 43 - Luke Burgess 2, Richard Stanford, Daniel Lawson, Will Campbell, Rex Tapuai, Henari Veratau tries; Campbell 4 conversions.
PENRITH 27 - Ben Robinson, Bernard Orbell. Joe Reihana, Aidan Porth tries; Iain Cowan 2 conversions, penalty goal.
At Nepean Rugby Park
Half Time: Eastern Suburbs 24-7
Playing Tomorrow:
WEST HARBOUR v EASTWOOD At Concord Oval, 3pm
GORDON v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY At Chatswood Oval, 3pm