Te Puna scored a try in the sixth minute of injury time to complete a thrilling 25-24 home win over Greerton Marist at Maramatanga Park on Saturday.
The season defining win keeps their top four aspirations alive and, after completely dominating the last 25 minutes of the match, was deserved.
But you had to feel sorry for Greerton after they defended so bravely for so long, although they only had themselves to blame for a crooked lineout throw at the end that turned over possession to Te Puna.
The game had everything you could ask for - good conditions, two well drilled and in-form teams, free-flowing rugby and plenty of passion from the supporters. The only thing missing was the usual pitch invasion by a local dog or two but it was certainly a classic encounter.
Greerton had first use of the wind and started well, with impressive openside flanker Joe Key finishing off a flowing move involving left wing Billy Carter. Greerton looked totally dominant 20 minutes into the game, before centre Lance MacDonald intercepted a loose pass in front of the Greerton posts for an easy seven pointer to Te Puna.
Greerton's Tim O'Malley and Te Puna's Rawiri Kuka swapped penalties for Te Puna to lead 11-10, before Greerton scored from the kickoff with a superb move. Captain Cody Schou started it by taking the kickoff accurately and flying winger Jerry Moli then burst down the left touchline for 60 metres before he was stopped. A few phases later, O'Malley scored and converted the try to make it 18-10.
Moli looked to have scored again right on halftime but was called back for a forward pass.
MacDonald set the second half alight by intercepting another loose Greerton pass inside his 22, and he rolled back the years to outsprint the defence and score under the bar to close the gap to 18-17.
The goal kickers stretched out the score to 24-20 with 25 minutes left, which is the way it stood until the 86th minute match winner from Te Aihe Toma began wild celebrations at the picturesque Maramatanga Park.
Te Puna coach Vaughan Bidois thought they had blown the match by not capitalising on so much possession on attack.
"I thought we just had to be a little more patient.
"Greerton are a bloody good side and sometimes you get a bit of luck, but I think the boys deserved it in the end.
"We have goals for the next five weeks," Bidois said.
"There are no easy games and you have to be playing well, week in and week out, if you want to be there at the end and that is our goal.
"I'm proud of the boys."
Te Puna 25 (Lance MacDonald 2, Te Aihe Toma tries; Rawiri Kuka 2 cons, 2 pens) Greerton Marist 24 (Joe Key, Tim O'Malley tries; O'Malley con, 4 pens). Halftime 18-10 Greerton Marist.