Stand-in captain Willie Wright, covering for new father Nick Strachan, adding two conversions.
However, the visitors were without direction in the second half as Wairarapa Bush scored two more tries, while first-five Glen Walters added a conversion and penalty.
Without Strachan to mark him, Wairarapa Bush flanker Epeli Rayaqayaqa was outstanding, scoring two tries, with 21-year-old winger Soli Malatai adding another try to the five-for he got in their previous home game.
South Canterbury's two bonus points meant they clung onto second spot, but only on points differential, from Thames Valley and Horowhenua-Kapiti, who will now meet in a crucial game in Te Aroha this Saturday.
Probably scarcely believing the position they are currently in, Thames Valley needed maximum points from their trip to Gisborne and they got them as a long-range penalty kick by first-five Reece Broughton saw them to a 37-34 win over Poverty Bay in a real thriller.
The home side raced out to a 17-0 lead before Thames Valley would close the gap to five points by halftime.
Poverty Bay scored again after the break to lead 27-15, but then had a player sent off, and not long after Thames Valley were awarded an automatic seven point penalty try, while the home side tried to defend with 13 after a yellow card in the same incident.
In a pulsating final 13 minutes, the team's traded tries as Thames Valley equalised at 27-27, only for Poverty Bay to score again for 34-27, and then under pressure Thames Valley did what the home side have done to two teams in Gisborne this year and scored inside the last two minutes for 34-34.
Receiving the kickoff, Thames Valley got a penalty 45m out and Broughton delivered, only for his team to then spill the final kickoff, which had to be regained and scrambled out.
Tom Isosefo scored two tries for Poverty Bay, while Andrew Tauatevalu converted all four tries and added two penalties.
Thames Valley's four tries scored by players came from No 8 Alex Bradley, second-five Matthew Abraham, fullback Harry Lafituanai, and prop Sitiveni Tupou.
Horowhenua Kapiti continued their solid run of form since losing to South Canterbury in Wellington by holding back King Country 36-30 in Paraparaumu, a result which when coupled with their previous Wanganui defeat has seen King Country fall from a share of first down to fifth.
The home side led 17-6 at halftime, which they extended to 22-6 after the break.
But the King Country pack now had the better of the set piece, and they climbed back at the home team at 29-20, before Horowhenua Kapiti got their fifth try and figured they were safe.
However, the visitors scored again immediately in the corner for 36-25 with ten minutes left, which was followed by their fourth try in the same spot with less than four minutes to go.
Horowhenua-Kapiti made a friend of the clock, as the visitors ran out of time to force the matchwinner.
Flanker Aaron Lahmert scored two tries for the victors, while quality winger Willie Paia'aua has returned and put his name back on the scoreboard, with the radar-boot of James So'oialo adding four conversions and a penalty.
Import second-five Joe Perawiti scored for King Country, as did midfield partner Alex Thrupp.
After tough losses in the past three weeks, North Otago kept alive their hopes of a Lochore Cup playoff while West Coast will be nervous after being dragged down towards that ninth spot, after a 40-19 loss in Oamaru.
North Otago scored six tries to three in their biggest win of the season, with Josh Buchan contributing 15 points from a try and five conversions.
Import No 8 Amenatave Tukana, hooker Troy Tauwhare and veteran winger Maleli Mudu got tries for the visitors, who can still secure their Lochore Cup spot with two home games in Greymouth left.
After the previous weekend's hammering by South Canterbury in Timaru, Mid Canterbury got back on the horse with a 56-7 disposal of East Coast in Ashburton, although that scoreline was still 44 points better than the Ruatoria team's previous trip to the South Island.
The visitors were still in at 14-7 after 28 minutes, but then nature took its course after that.
Isireli Masiwini scored a double for the home side, while Nathan McCloy provided a 100 per cent kicking record with seven conversions, while Mid Canterbury also got an automatic seven pointer.
It promises to be a real dog fight in the last two weekends to either secure a Meads Cup or Lochore Cup spot for nine teams, but it is battle Wanganui is circling well above with their undefeated record.
Results, Week 6.
Horowhenua Kapiti 36 (Aaron Lahmert 2, Scott Cameron, Willie Paia'aua, TJ Fermanis tries; James So'oialo pen, 4 con) bt King Country 30 (Alex Thrupp, Chaulain Mabbett-Sowerby, Joe Perawiti, Liam Rowlands tries; Evan Reihana 2 pen, 2 con). HT: 17-6.
Mid Canterbury 56 (Isireli Masiwini 2, Aron Einarsson, Dan Fransen, Logan Bonnington, Angus Lindsay, Leauma Tu Uga tries, penalty try; Nathan McCloy 7 con) bt East Coast 7 (scorers not provided).
North Otago 40 (Mikaele Mafi, Josh Buchan, Inoke Naufahu, Tyler Burgess, Glen Sturgess, Sam Sturgess tries; Buchan 5 con) bt West Coast 19 (Amenatave Tukana, Troy Tauwhare, Maleli Mudu tries; Tom Reekie 2 con).
Thames Valley 37 (Alex Bradley, Matthew Abraham, Harry Lafituanai, Siti Tupou tries, penalty try; Reece Broughton 2 pen, 2 con) bt Poverty Bay 34 (Tom Isosefo 2, Tamanui Hill, Callum McDonald tries; Andrew Tauatevalu 2 pen, 4 con). HT: 20-15 Poverty Bay.
Wanganui 45 (Lindsay Horrocks, Craig Clare, Peni Nabainivalu, Cameron Crowley, Viki Tofa, Sam Madams tries; Clare pen, 6 con) bt Buller 14 (Anthony Tailua, Robbie Malneek tries; Michael Wells 2 con). HT: 14-7 Buller.
Wairarapa Bush 27 (Epeli Rayaqayaqa 2, Soli Malatai, Sam Gammie tries; Glen Walters 2 con, pen) bt South Canterbury 24 (Rico Syme, Marac Beckham, Kalavini Leatigaga, Setefano Sauqaqa tries; Willie Wright 2 con). HT: 24-12 South Canterbury.
