Brighton's big win over Old Collegians and another impressive showing from University headlined an action-packed Round 9 across Adelaide.
A hat-trick to flanker Nicholas Simpson lit up the home crowd with Selywn Nunu (two) also impressing in the Tigers' 62-15 victory
The 10-try rout saw Brighton kick two wins clear of third-placed Barossa and just three points behind unbeaten Burnside, who downed another finals aspirant in Southern Suburbs.
The Double Blues outscored Souths six tries to five with Freeman Eder's boot adding 10 valuable points in a 40-31 Burnside win at AA Bailey Reserve.
Souths and Old Colls now sit fourth and fifth respectively and face increasing pressure from sixth-placed Uni, who won a 57-24 shootout with Onkaparinga to make it three wins on the spin.
Elsewhere, Woodville earned their third win of the season with Kiall Whitcher's boot steering the Wasps home 35-27 over Port Adelaide.
Woodville also found joy in the women's competition with Brooke McHugh bagging four tries in a 55-5 win over Port Collegians while Onkas outmuscled Uni 26-5 on the road.
In the women's match of the round, defending champs Souths hung tough to topple Burnside 22-15.
In the lower grades, Uni and Onkas played out an entertaining 19-all draw in Reserve Grade while Brighton Black scrapped hard to defeat North Torrens 34-19 on the road.
