There were 14 Reds players in action for Premier Grade clubs on Saturday, as Nick Stiles searched for some impact players among those on the fringe of his squad for 2017.
Two Reds went toe-to-toe at Yoku Road, as Campbell Magnay's GPS hosted Lachlan Maranta's Wests.
The pair lined up at outside centre for their clubs and Magnay got the upper hand in his return to rugby, scoring a try and having a hand in another.
Nick Frisby also scored a superb chip and chase try in the 33-27 Gallopers win as he strives to earn the starting halfback gig back.
Easts fielded four Reds in their side that took on Souths - Andrew Ready, Kirwan Sanday, Izack Rodda and Michael Gunn all packing down for the Tigers.
They weren't able to get their side over the line, though, as Magpies flyhalf Jake Milne slotted a drop goal at the death to win a thriller.
In other results, Moses Sorovi's UQ kept their undefeated start going with a comfortable win over Norths, while Henry Taefu's Sunnybank proved too strong for a struggling Bond University.
RESULTS
GPS 33 Wests 27
Souths 29 Easts 26
Norths 34 UQ 54
Sunnybank 36 Bond 19
SHUTE SHIELD
Their captain and vice-captain were in Durban making their Super Rugby debuts, but Norths made short work of Sydney Uni, with a 41-24 win over last year's grand finalists in Bowral.
Waratahs midfielder Irae Simone and Con Foley teamed up in the midfield, with former sevens squad member Stephan van der Walt coming off the bench.
Foley's former Sevens teammate Greg Jeloudev snatched a try for Uni.
Reece Robinson starred for Randwick as they beat Parramatta 48-22 as the Two Blues celebrated 'back to Parra' day.
Rebels U20s player Harrison Goddard, the son of Parramatta legend Glenn, stepped in for usual starting scrumhalf Mitch Short, who has been signed as injury cover for the Force.
Waratahs rookie lock Senio Toleafoa was in the starting second row for the Two Blues, while monster prop Dave Lolohea starred coming off the bench.
Waratahs rookie Harry Jones scored a try for Warringah, though they went down to Eastwood 36-21 on Saturday, while his NSW teammate Maclean Jones lined up at No.6 and young prop Sam Needs was at tighthead.
Aussie Sevens' Alex Gibbon played his 50th game for Southern Districts, playing on the left wing in their 45-26 win over Gordon.
Matt Lucas played scrumhalf for Manly in their 26-17 win over Easts, with young flyhalf Mack Mason steering the opposition at No.10.
RESULTS
Norths 41 - Sydney Uni 24
Parramatta 22 - Randwick 48
Warringah 21 - Eastwood 36
Southern Districts 45 - Gordon 26
Manly 26 - Easts 17
West Harbour 35 - Penrith 13
DEWAR SHIELD
Jonah Placid's Melbourne Uni continued to fire with a dominant win over Souths, while Moorabbin caused the upset of the round in beating Melbourne.
Pat Leafa's Box Hill were no match for Harlequins, while Power House ground out a tough win against Footscray.
RESULTS
Southern Districts 7 Melbourne University 66
Melbourne 5 Moorabbin 25
Box Hill 17 Harlequins 25
Footscray 11 Power House 18
JOHN I DENT CUP
Brumbies squad member Isaac Thompson steered the Vikings to a 59-15 win over Queanbeyan, with five conversions, while flanker Ben Hyne returned from injury to play an enforcer role and score a try in the romp.
Winger Tom Banks made his first grade debut for the Uni-Norths Owls in their gripping 37-34 loss to Wests.
RESULTS
Tuggeranong Vikings 59 - Queanbeyan Whites 15
Wests 37 - Uni-Norths Owls 34
Gungahlin Eagles 45 - Easts 0
PINDAN PREMIER GRADE
Force squad flyhalf Peter Grant found his way over the line for Cottesloe in a 35-10 win over Associates, with the South African adding a conversion and a penalty for his efforts.
It was a big day for Nedlands centre and Force squad member Ammon Matuauto, who had a double in his side's 41-14 win over Kalamunda, but was also handed one of the game's five yellow cards.
Young back James Verity-Amm made it onto the scorer's list as well in the big win, while Anaru Rangi was the starting hooker for the Perth powerhouse.
Robbie Coleman took the reins at 10 for Joondalup, in a big win for his club team, 36-14 over Wanneroo.
Promising Force hooker Harry Scoble notched a try for UWQ against Wests Scarborough, though they went down 41-27.
His Super Rugby teammate Semisi Masirewa was on the wing for the victors.
RESULTS
Cottesloe 35 Associates 10
Perth Bayswater 20 Palmyra 39
Wanneroo 14 Joondalup 36
Wests Scarborough 41 UWA 27
Kalamunda 14 Nedlands 41
