The tight nature of this year's Pink Batts Heartland Championship continues as Steelform Wanganui's 20-point win on Saturday moves them a step up the chain, while Thames Valley and King Country experienced a disappointing weekend.
Both teams had been sitting in good position for a Meads Cup semifinal spot but heavy losses without a bonus point saw Wanganui leapfrog them to sixth spot on the ladder.
Wairarapa Bush has emerged as clear favourites after disposing of King Country 34-13.
The only team to beat them this year, Mid Canterbury, won their local derby with South Canterbury 34-27, while West Coast continues to make Greymouth a graveyard this year, beating East Coast 15-11.
Despite moving forward, in the dying minutes at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui ended up defending their line from Thames Valley and could not get into position for an important fourth-try bonus point which leaves them a step behind Buller and North Otago who had big away-game weekends.