A top-four finish appears to be out of reach for Whakarewarewa after they lost 20-17 to Rotoiti in Baywide premier rugby at the weekend.
With four rounds remaining it was crucial for the red and blacks to win every game, but the lakesiders refused to let Whaka have their way as they hosted the Rotorua side at Emery Park.
Battles between the two sides have always been colossal and Saturday's match was no exception.
The Kevin Lee-coached side were on the defensive right from the kickoff as the larger Rotoiti pack rumbled forward. The home side's captain and No8, Jesse Acton, with some great angled runs, showed why the Steamers are looking at him this season.
However, Whaka's defensive line seemed to hold, especially in the backs thanks to the inclusion of former All Black Caleb Ralph, who was drafted into the side earlier in the week.
But Whaka were guilty of three defensive lapses which eventually led to their downfall. The first came in the fifth minute when Whaka were stretched but looked like they had Rotoiti covered. However, Rotoiti fullback Kevin Guptill broke two weak tackles to go over in the corner, which he was unable to convert.
The ease in which Rotoiti scored didn't seemed to bother Whaka and they continued to battle on with Ralph scoring an equaliser five minutes later.
But Rotoiti were soon in again. After another defensive lapse by Whaka, inside their 22, Ralph attempted a chip kick that was charged down. Rotoiti regathered and although there was covering defence it was ineffectual, giving David Fraser an easy run in for Rotoiti's second try.
Whaka went into the break ahead 11-10 from two Maurice Stone penalties. Rotoiti hit the lead a couple of minutes later when centre Beau Kiel ran through Whaka's defence.
Whakataki Cunningham converted to take the score to 17-11.
Cunningham kicked a penalty to send the lead out to 20-11 but Whaka narrowed it to the final score of 20-17 with a drop goal and penalty to Stone.
In other matches in the premier division Te Puke Sports were lucky to escape with a 18-16 win over Rangataua at Te Ariki Park.
Rangataua made all the running in the first half, with Timoti Gardiner scoring a try and Adam McGarvey converting Gardiner's touchdown and slotting two penalty goals, to give Rangataua a 13-3 lead at the break.
Two second-half tries to Te Puke winger Gideon Uelese put the defending Baywide champions back in the match. However, with time running out Te Puke still trailed by one point. Right on fulltime a Rangataua indiscretion led to Sipa Moi Moi calmly slotting a penalty to give Te Puke Sports the win.
Te Puna's lapses of concentration against Opotiki at Maramatanga Park cost them dearly as Opotiki got home 27-21 to cement third place in the competition. Poor Te Puna tackling saw Opotiki waltz through for two tries, with a third intercept try giving them a 21-9 lead at the break.
In spite of Te Puna grabbing two second-half tries they had to settle for just a bonus point from the encounter.
Tauranga Sports won a high-scoring game against Greerton Marist, running in seven tries on their way to a 53-20 victory, with Tauranga winger Phillip Togo Togo Rua grabbing three. Mount Maunganui returned home from Rotorua with a 22-15 win over Waikite.
Division one high flyers Rangiuru took their unbeaten run to 13 straight wins when they overpowered Marist St Michael's 37-12 at Centennial Park in Te Puke.
The Peter Woods-coached side look hot favourites to return to the premier ranks next season.
The colts championship round kicked off, with first-round winners Mount Maunganui battling to get past Te Puna 13-10. Tauranga Sports won another hard-fought contest, downing Greerton Marist 20-15.