The conditions were conducive to open, free-flowing rugby and the players delivered. Rangataua piled the pressure on in Whakarewarewa's half for long periods. They received several penalties before finally scoring through Tamihana Penitito.
Whakarewarewa first five Kelly Haimona kicked two penalties and fullback Gareth Cossey scored his first try for the club, after a quick throw on the left wing, to make it 20-5 to the home side at halftime.
Rangataua showed great intent in the second half and were rewarded early with a try to flanker Apitoni Toia on the back of some razzle dazzle up the middle by the forwards.
Shortly afterwards they were in again through second five Paranihi Lovett and it was game on with the score at 20-19.
Whakarewarewa hit back with two tries to winger Arikitohia Hood and a third Haimona penalty. Leading 35-19 with 10 minutes to go it looked like they would cruise to victory. However, Rangataua had other ideas.
The away side were patient, playing out several phases in the Whakarewarewa 22m, before Lovett crashed over from close range for his second. Toia also completed his double to make it 35-33 and set up the grand stand finish, which ultimately ended in heart break for a spirited Rangataua side.
Whakarewarewa coach Boxer Smith said the last few minutes of the game were "a rollercoaster" to watch.
"We thought we had the game in the bag, but for full credit to Rangataua, they came right back into the game. They gave their all, only to be denied by a kick like that, that's pretty heart wrenching for them.
"At the same time, five points on the table for us is crucial. It sets us up to only really need one more big win and we can see ourselves playing semifinals in a couple of weeks time.
"[Making semifinals] would be huge. It's all about being a unit, the whole club and community, it's a family - that's the goal for the club," Smith said.
He said the most pleasing aspect of the win was the tryline defence leading up to halftime.
"I thought that won the game for us. We knew Rangataua were dangerous across the board and they showed that, but I'd give the credit to our defence. There were times we were under pressure but stayed strong, especially the period before halftime."
Meanwhile, injury ravaged Rotoiti's semi-final hopes took another big blow with a 55-30 loss to Greerton.
Farmlands Co-operative Baywide club rugby results
Premier 1
Whakarewarewa 35 Rangataua 33, Greerton Marist 55 Rotoiti 30, Te Puna 18 Mount Maunganui 14, Tauranga Sports 9 Te Puke 52.
Premier 1 Development
Whakarewarewa 10 Rangataua 38, Greerton Marist 89 Rotoiti 0, Te Puna 26 Mount Maunganui 7, Tauranga Sports 12 Te Puke 38.
Premier 2
Whakatāne Marist 32 Marist St Michael's 26, Te Teko 20 Rangiuru 19, Waikite 13 Arataki 19, Opōtiki 27 Ngongotahā 22.
Premier 2 Development
Whakatāne Marist 17 Marist St Michael's 33, Te Teko 27 Rangiuru 29, Waikite 33 Arataki 29, Opōtiki 30 Ngongotahā 17.
Division One
Murupara 67 Pāpāmoa 13, Poroporo 20 Waimana 22, Kahukura 19 Paroa 12, Ruatoki 57 Judea 13.
Division Two
Reporoa 20 Katikati 20, Eastern Districts 24 Edgecumbe 29, Matata (win by default) v Eastern Pirates.
