A top-of-the-table clash has confirmed Taupo as the team to beat in the WaiBop Federation League.
Taupo and Claudelands Rovers squared off at Crown Park in an intense clash at the weekend.
The home crowd were kept entertained for 90 minutes as Taupo clung on to the Challenge Shield and stretched their lead in the league to four points, with a 2-1 win.
Taupo took the lead after just two minutes when Chris Roberts rounded the Rovers keeper and slotted into the empty goal. Paul Stewart doubled their lead after a quickly taken free-kick caught the Rovers defence napping. Taupo comfortably held the lead till the break but Rovers played with purpose in the second spell and put Taupo under pressure.
Bevan Woltersdorf, playing his 201st game for Taupo, marshalled the defence while Dave Stewart put in a man-of-the-match performance in midfield to hold Rovers at bay until the 93rd minute. But the goal came too late and Taupo supporters were smiling as they headed for the club rooms to celebrate.
Taupo coach Paul Drake was happy with his team's performance.
"I thought we played well but all credit to Rovers who never gave up."
Melville United hung on to third place with a closer-than-expected 1-0 win over bottom team Otorohanga.
Old Blues and Tauranga Boys' College, both teams with the threat of relegation hanging over them, met at Waipuna Park. Old Blues coach Andy Legget must have thought the football gods were against him when his side failed to score from a penalty early in the first half and with no score at the break, it was tense in both dressing rooms.
Old Blues striker Franz Marko made it 1-0 with a good strike, but the home team had to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men after they had a player red carded and had to hang on before collecting three valuable points.
Whakatane Town kept their hopes of a top-three finish alive with a 4-1 home win over Waikato Unicol. Wayde Maloney had Whakatane on the board first but it was 1-1 at the break. The home side dominated the second half with goals to Brendan Mitchell, Mike Ward and Shaun Henderson giving them a convincing win.
Ngongotaha, with a goal from Dayne Willemsen, deservedly led AFC Fury 1-0 at the break, but they lost concentration allowing Fury to score twice early in the second spell.
The Villagers had an opportunity to get a draw when they were awarded a penalty, but the usually reliable Isaac Haua could not capitalise and Fury hung on for a 2-1 win.
At Fergusson Park, Otumoetai striker Matt Collins scored a first-half double to give them a 2-0 win over Rotorua United, who failed to make the most of their second-half chances.
"We didn't play well and I am disappointed," United coach Neil Rush said after the game.
"We are now in deep doo-doo and will have to fight hard in our last three games."
Goalkeeper Graeme Blissett, Matt Collins and Matt Fisher took the eye for the home side, who are sixth with five games to play.