Marton loose forward Chris Rayner competes for the lineout throw against Pirates at Marton Park. Photo/Terry Stillman
It was a Week 12 of the Tasman Tanning Premier competition where the Top 3 teams all delivered, but it took a lucky-escape act by Integrity Motors Pirates to do so after they left Marton Park with the narrowest 18-17 win.
The visitors led 15-3 early in the second half through tries by goal-kicking loose forward Manulua Lafi and winger Josaia Dawai, back from suspension.
However, Pirates soon found themselves 17-15 down with time running out after two tries by Speirs Food Marton first-five Mundsan Ah Chong.
They responded with a successful penalty to regain the lead, yet Marton still had a chance to take the game after getting a penalty inside the 22m zone with time virtually up. However a rush of blood saw a quick tap taken, rather than the goal-kick option and Pirates held them out.
Up at Rochfort Park, McCarthy's Ruapehu faced a much stronger and more determined Utiku Old Boys than the team they rolled 80-0 at Taihape back in April.
This time, Utiku kept them to 5-5 after a try by Fijian import Michael Nabuliwaqa, before Ruapehu took an 8-5 advantage into halftime through the boot of Zyon Hekenui.
Tries by Hekenui and Robert Hughes expanded Ruapehu's advantage to 22-5, before theywon the game 34-5 with Teira Cowan, Pehira Huwyler and Shaun McDonough also getting five-pointers, helping their team move two points clear atop the standings.
At Dallison Park, Waverley Harvesting Border scored seven tries in their 45-16 disposal of Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau. Border led 12-6 early through Hoani Pahl-Long and Ian Honeyfield both scoring the first of two tries each.
They would complete their doubles, with winger Sikeli Ulukuta also scoring two tries and kicking five conversions, the first player to rack up a century of points in Premier rugby this season.
In Senior competition, Tech travelled to Ohakune and lifted the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield from Ruapehu, with a second-half penalty carrying them to an 8-7 win.
With one Saturday of games left until the competition splits into championship and consolation grades, Marton's 74-0 mauling of the Marist Buffalos sets up a tense weekend after sixth-placed Border went down 34-13 to Power Farming (PN) Hunterville.
Sitting one point back in seventh, Marton will need a strong game against Ruapehu while hoping Border stumble against the Buffalos.
Results, June 7
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 12
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 18 (Ryan Gill, Ian Hawkes tries, Tyson Manaena pen, con, Sean Brown pen) bt Harvey Round Motors Ratana 15 (Jamie Hughes, Vaan Rauhina, Marius Joseph tries). HT: 10-3 Ratana.
Waverley Harvesting Border 45 (Hoani Pahl-Long 2, Ian Honeyfield 2, Sikeli Ulukuta 2, Sam Madams tries, Ulukuta 5 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 16 (Te Rau Wirihana try, Steve Colliers 3 pen, con). HT: 24-9.
Integrity Motors Pirates 18 (Manulua Lafi, Josaia Dawai tries, Lafi pen, con, Denning Tyrell pen) bt Speirs Food Marton 17 (Mundsan Ah Chong 2 tries, Jake Karaynidis pen, 2 con). HT: 10-3.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield - McCarthy's Ruapehu 34 (Robert Hughes, Teira Cowan, Pehira Huwyler, Zyon Hekenui, Shaun McDonough tries, Hekenui pen, 3 con) bt Utiku OB 5 (Michael Nabuliwaqa try). HT: 8-5.
Bye: Taihape.
Grand Irish Bar Most Valuable Player points
At Spriggens Park: Ryan Gill (Marist No 8) 3 points, Mikaere Penetito (Ratana flanker) 2, Scott Komene (Ratana No 8) 1.
At Waverley: Lindsay Horrocks (Border halfback) 3, Ephraim Reynolds (Kaierau flanker) 2, Ian Honeyfield (Border flanker) 1.
At Marton: Manulua Lafi (Pirates flanker) 3, Mundsan Ah Chong (Marton first-five) 2, Simon Hillis (Pirates lock) 1.
At Ohakune: Nick Cranston (Ruapehu lock) 3, William Short (Ruapehu halfback) 2, Michael Nabuliwaqa (Utiku OB fullback) 1.
MVP Leaders:Lindsay Horrocks (Border) 15 points, William Short (Ruapehu) 12, Ryan Gill (Marist) 11, Vaan Rauhina (Ratana) and Clive Stowers (Pirates) 10, Manulua Lafi (Pirates) and Darren Munro (Kaierau) 9, Jamie Hughes (Ratana) and Ray Stark (Border) 8, Sikeli Ulukuta (Border), Nick Cranston (Ruapehu) and Simon Hillis (Pirates) 7, Isaac Greer (Marton), Hoani Rameka (Utiku OB) and Roy Gudsell (Marist) 6, Ephraim Reynolds (Kaierau), Marcus Totman and Jaye Flaws (Taihape), Logan Vaughan (Ruapehu) and Junior Tume (Pirates) 5, Brett Nicholls, Ritchie Iorns and Dane Whale (all Taihape), Matt Crawford (Utiku OB), Zyon Hekenui and Andrew Evans (Ruapehu), Scott Komene (Ratana) and Michael Nabuliwaqa (Utiku OB) 4, 13 players with 3 points each.
Senior Championship, Week 12
At Spriggens Park: Marist Celtic bt Kaierau 63-5. HT: 24-5.
At Ratana Pa: Trans Pacific Pirates bt Ratana 42-10.
At McNab Domain, Kaiwhaiki: Counties bt Taihape 45-8.
At Dallison Park: Power Farming (PN) Hunterville bt Border 34-13. HT: 15-10.
At Marton Park Marton bt Marist Buffalo's 74-0. HT: 26-0.
At Rochfort Park (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Tech bt Ruapehu 8-7. HT: 5-0.
Bye: Utiku OB.