A top-of-the-table clash has confirmed Taupo as the team to beat in the WaiBop Federation League.
Taupo and Claudelands Rovers squared off at Crown Park in an intense clash at the weekend.
The home crowd were kept entertained for 90 minutes as Taupo clung on to the Challenge Shield and stretched their lead in the league to four points, with a 2-1 win.
Taupo took the lead after just two minutes when Chris Roberts rounded the Rovers keeper and slotted into the empty goal. Paul Stewart doubled their lead after a quickly taken free-kick caught the Rovers defence napping. Taupo comfortably held the lead till the break but Rovers played with purpose in the second spell and put Taupo under pressure.
Bevan Woltersdorf, playing his 201st game for Taupo, marshalled the defence while Dave Stewart put in a man-of-the-match performance in midfield to hold Rovers at bay until the 93rd minute. But the goal came too late and Taupo supporters were smiling as they headed for the club rooms to celebrate.