A total of 172mm of rain fell in the Tauranga area on Saturday, but at times in the afternoon it seemed as though every single bit of it dropped on Murray Salt Stadium.
In a premier Baywide match between two top-four sides, Te Puke Sports triumphed 26-18 over a gallant Whakarewarewa outfit in horrendous conditions producing a good old game of wet weather footy for all of those brave enough to see it.
The visitors started the stronger of the two sides in conditions that were always going to reward simple, low-risk rugby.
They shot out to an early 8-0 lead after a penalty and an unconverted try to slick winger Chanse Perham, who seized on the scraps of a bomb bungled by Te Puke to race to the goal-line untouched.
It was then, though, that Te Puke began warming to their task.
The big boot of first five-eighth Simon Rolleston continually drove Whakarewarewa back into their corners, leading to a slew of handling and tactical mistakes that gifted all the momentum to the home side.
That, combined with a dominant set piece, meant Te Puke went into the break 9-8 up through three penalties to the measured Rolleston.
Whakarewarewa looked the more dangerous side for long periods, while their opposition focused on being effective.
Te Puke's marked edge in forward play, typified by phase after phase of forwards driving in numbers either side of the ruck, served them well in the second half.
Poor Whakarewarewa discipline and line-out work, along with a concerted forward effort by Te Puke Sports, delivered two quick tries to the defending champions at the beginning of the second half.
Nathan Harris and Mark Nicholas both drove over from close range, with the conversions by Rolleston making the score 23-8.
Whakarewarewa looked gone, but worked their way back into the contest through a penalty and when Bauro Kairaoi slid over under the posts in the dying moments from a nifty grubber, they appeared to have a sniff of pulling off a memorable comeback.
Those hopes were dashed when they conceded a penalty in the final minutes - making the final score 26-18 and robbing them of a bonus point.
Te Puke coach Craig Jeffries was pleased with the result ahead of the clash with competition leaders Tauranga Sports at Tauranga Domain next week.
"We'll take any win in that weather, it was very pleasing," said Jeffries.
"The guys got more accurate as the game went on. They kept it nice and short in conditions that were pretty tough.
"We've got the big one next week against Tauranga, so that will be huge. They're trucking along pretty well so that will be an interesting old ding dong battle again as it always is."
Jeffries said his side's senior leadership group had taken on more responsibility so far this season, and a number of players - pivot Simon Rolleston in particular - had taken their games to a new level.
"He's got his game together and is playing some bloody good footy. Hopefully the Bay is having a good look at him."
A season full of tense finishes lived up to its billing at Maramatanga Park, where Te Puna snuck passed Rangataua 25-24.
A Te Aihi Toma penalty stole the game in the final minute after a late try to Matua Parkinson looked to have delivered Rangatau their first win.
Greerton Marist ran out handsome winners 35-17 against Rotoiti, Mount Maunganui finally got across the line to beat Opotiki 20-9 and Tauranga Sports disposed of Paroa 58-10.
Premier:
Tauranga Sports 58 (Nick Thomson 2, Phillip Togotogorua 2, Carl Axtens, Alan McRobbie, Josh Hall, Mitch Greenway, Keepa Mewett tries; Paul Morris 3 pen, con; Geoff Berry 2 con) beat Paroa 10 (James McGougan try; Ariki Henry pen, con) HT 39-10.
Te Puna 25 (Lance MacDonald, Te Aihi Toma tries; T Toma 5 pen) beat Rangataua 24 (Pone Kahotea, Matua Parkinson tries; Kaui Ririnui 4 pen, con) HT 11-6.
Te Puke Sports 26 (Nathan Harris, Mark Nicholas tries; Simon Rolleston 3 pen, 2 con; Sipa Moimoi pen) beat Whakarewarewa 18 (Chanse Perham, Bauro Kairaoi tries; Maurice Stone 2 pen, con) HT 9-8.
Mount Maunganui 20 (Johan Bardoul, Andy Devoy, Duncan Walker tries; Matt Golding pen, Sam Beard con) beat Opotiki 9 (Te Hata Wilbore 3 pen) HT 12-9.
Greerton Marist 35 (Kalem Chan Boom 2, Tino Nemani, Richard Nauer tries; Andrew Boyd 2 pen, 2 con; Alex Jessop pen, con) beat Rotoiti 17. HT 10-10.
Division one:
Te Teko 21 Katikati 20, Rangiuru 12 Kahukura 8, Poroporo 21 Whakatane Marist 10, Ngongotaha 17 Marist St Michaels 12, Waikite 55 Ruatoki 3.