That coupled with penalty kicks that didn't find touch would have been coach killers for Willie Rickards.
What could also be concerning is the number of Taranaki players who left the field due to injury.
Prop Reuben O'Neill, lock Tupou Vaa'i, loose forward Kaylum Boshier and captain Mitch Brown all left the field with niggles.
Taranaki were made to defend for most of the match in a physical encounter and Tasman, through excellent awareness, scored two tries in the first half by cross field kicks.
Wing Tima Faingaanuku scored them both in similar fashion, one just before half time that put pressure on the Taranaki defence.
Two Daniel Waite penalty kicks ensured Taranaki was still in the game at 18-6 at the break.
The second half started positively for Taranaki with some excellent movement down the field. They kept the ball alive and found space behind the Tasman defence twice by kicking it through. Flanker Lachlan Boshier dotted down first in the corner followed by wing and crowd favourite Waisake Naholo.
However, Tasman always had the upper hand in the match by adding extra points where it counted.
Halfback Finlay Christie snuck through a tackle to place the ball on the line under the sticks and first five-eighth Mitch Hunt slotted two penalty kicks and a conversion in his efforts.
Taranaki midfielder Teihorangi Walden, who took over the captaincy from Mitch Brown, acknowledged the physicality of the match, that event included a short spell away from the action himself.
"It was a physical game. We made a lot of tackles."
Walden also heaped praise on the victors, who now sit alone at the top of the premiership.
"They're a good side. Credit to them to get the width. But I'm proud of the boy's efforts."
Walden also acknowledged the looming Ranfurly Shield challenge.
"We're pretty excited, weren't thinking this week, but looking forward to going down and having a crack."
Tasman captain David Havili, an All Black in 2017, highlighted the importance of the win for his side.
"We knew it was going to be physical. It's a hard place to come and win."
At a glance:
Tasman 28: (Tries:T Faingaanuku 2, A Makalio, F Christie, Cons: M Hunt 2 pens, con),
Taranaki 18: (Tries: L Boshier, W Naholo, Cons: D Waite 2 pens,)
Half Time: 18-6.