Top of the table Ngongotaha have thrashed a hapless Tauranga City to bring the Villagers one step closer to wrapping up the WaiBOP Premiership.
Leaders Ngongotaha cruised to a comfortable 8-0 victory over winless Tauranga City United on Saturday to move three points closer to a maiden title.
The Villagersmaintained their nine point lead over 2015 champions, Cambridge, while third-placed Matamata dropped points after being held at home by Otumoetai.
Victory was never in doubt for a Ngongotaha side that scored four goals in each half.
Tauranga would have been somewhat happy to more than halve the margin of their 19-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Mitch Miller again led the way, scoring four times, while a Luke Barker double, a goal from Sean Kim, and a Tauranga own goal also contributed towards Ngongotaha's 16th win in 17 games. They now sit on 49 points.
This match was the calm before the storm of Ngongotaha's finish to the season. They still have to visit Cambridge, play Matamata home and away, visit fourth-placed Otumoetai and host a Waikato Unicol side that is the only team to take points off them so far this season.
Cambridge dealt with Rotorua United efficiently enough, winning 4-2 at John Kerkhof Park to keep their faint chances of defending their title alive. Tom Woutersen's early goal, followed by a strike from Jason Chewins just after the re-start, set Cambridge on their way to another win.
Logan Wisnewski made it three on the hour before substitute, Quest Tipping completed the scoring for the hosts. Ash Gower-Rudman's double was mere consolation for Rotorua.
Cambridge look like they will be the only team that can catch the high-flying Villagers, but can't afford any slip-ups sitting nine points behind them.
Both of the top sides have five matches left to play this season.
